Refuel mind, body, and ATV at Ashland Resort in Northfork.
The Hatfield–McCoy Trails are famous for award-winning routes that are as wild and unique as their namesakes, boasting hundreds of miles of trails, breathtaking views, and experienced guides that welcome families year after year. But sometimes, families need a place to connect away from the roar of engines and the adrenaline of off-road adventure—a place where grandparents, parents, kids, riders, campers, families, and friends can all find their own way to enjoy West Virginia. Ashland Resort in Northfork is that place.
Located in McDowell County and one of the biggest resorts of its kind in the state, Ashland Resort is made up of a variety of campsites, cabins, and staffed amenities while offering ATV riders easy access to the trails that wind through southern West Virginia’s mountains. The diversity of places to lay your head is one of Ashland Resort’s biggest perks—whether you want to pop into a sleeping bag at the end of a long day of riding or ensure every member of the family has their own private bedroom, there’s something for you.
Primitive tent sites appeal to the true camper, while 23 two-room cabins offer a step up from that, and the property’s various lodges hold the most decadent accommodations, with Grand Lodges being the ultimate luxe experience for a large group. “Those are the newest lodging that we’ve added. They actually have five bedrooms, three bathrooms, a full kitchen, a living area, and decks out back,” says Tara Elder, director of operations and development for Ashland. “They have a hot tub on the back porch. The Grand Lodges provide the ultimate lodging experience on the Hatfield–McCoy Trails.”
Part of staying at Ashland Resort is seeing a friendly face or two while you stock up on supplies. A welcome center provides fuel, an ATV wash, Hatfield–McCoy Trail permits, and all the souvenirs you could want. It serves pizza for when you need a quick bite, but for sit-down meals, there’s also a 3,500-square-foot restaurant—the Indian Ridge Bar and Grill—that “serves everything from a fried bologna sandwich up to a ribeye steak,” Elder says. “It takes care of everybody from lunch through dinner.”
That’s the overall vibe you’ll get at Ashland Resort: one of a family destination. It wasn’t always like that, Elder says. When they first opened, riders would come ride, and their families would rarely join—there just wasn’t much for them to do, especially if there were children. “Ashland has been building to attract the families. We have made lodging welcoming to moms and kids. More activities have developed for families to do, both here and in the surrounding area,” she says. “They may ride three out of five days, but the other two days they find something to do in the area.” Sometimes it’s a journey to the nearby town of Bramwell to grab a shake at the Bramwell Corner Shop and take in the views at the top of Pinnacle Rock. Or maybe they make the hour-long trip to Pipestem Resort State Park, where the Adventure Zone is full of new experiences for the whole family.
Meanwhile, the resort continues to expand its offerings, with more amenities for a wide audience on the horizon. “We’re getting ready to go through another expansion, adding a big playground,” she says. “We’re also putting in an activity center, which will have ice cream, coffee, some arcade games, potentially a stage for performances, and if we can squeeze it in, a basketball court.”
The trails bring people to the region, Elder says. The resort gives them a place to stay. The surrounding communities give them places to explore. And the local people give them a reason to remember their visit.
All of this is brought together by a staff of around 50 people who Elder says welcome folks with open arms, make personal connections with them, and keep visitors wanting to come back again and again.
“Our staff are local. They believe in the area, they believe in tourism, and they believe in the people coming in and in treating them right. They truly make visitors feel like family,” she says. “It’s what you know West Virginia to be as a whole—hospitality-driven.”
246 Totem Pole Road, Northfork, atvresort.com, @ashlandresort on FB
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