Kids at Hatfield and McCoy?

Anyone have experience with taking kids to Hatfield and McCoy? We are planning a July 4 trip. Our son is almost 3. Our Rhino has 4-point harnesses and he rides in a car seat. When we emailed the place they said that he has to abide by the manufacturer's rules for passengers in the owner's manual. The manual says that he has to be able to touch the floorboards with his back against the seat back. He's not even close to being able to do that, but he is very safe. Anyone see other sxs out on the trails with this set up? We don't want to make the 6-hour drive and not be allowed on the trails. thanks in advance.

Hey Brian, Glad you made it. PM BobbyD, or Roamerr, or Wingman. They all have spent a good bit of time over there and can fill you in the best on the matter.

thanks marty. I've found a new home here. We staying a Little Coal River Campground. I guess they have some cabins and the trails are good for mommy's with precious cargo.

Yea, you will really like the riding there. The trails are well marked. That trailhead is actually the closest to me. Sorry I cant be of more help to you with Info, but I have so many trails to ride closer to home that I just havn't been on H/M yet. Another good place to go for info is here http://www.atvwv.com/ Log into this forum and they can answer any question you need answered. These guys ride all the time on the H/M. :)

I have never been to the HM trails further up north. I have only been on the Indian Ridge and Pinnacle Creek trails. I have seen children of that age in Rhino's around that area. I have never seen a Trail Ranger on those trails. We go ride in the Indian Ridge area mostly and have a blast. The Hatfield Trails only make up 15% of our riding -- most riding is on the Outlaw trails. My kids love the creek crossings and that only occurs on the outlaw trails...

Here's our last ride...
http://atvtrailblazer.proboards33.com/index.cgi?board=1&action=display&thread=1714

great. we're excited about heading down there. We've talked about it since we got back from Silver Lake, MI. If anyone is around the LCR campground, stop by. My wife has a green 08 rhino 700 and I've got a YFZ450.

briankgray wrote:

great. we're excited about heading down there. We've talked about it since we got back from Silver Lake, MI. If anyone is around the LCR campground, stop by. My wife has a green 08 rhino 700 and I've got a YFZ450.

I may try to get down there and meet you that weekend if I can. May be a good excuse to check out the H/M.

I ride with Roamrr and am actually in those pics he posted :D I have never had any issues and have never seen any issues with kids riding the HM trails. As long as you are being safe and not acting crazy I don't think you would have any problems.

any other info i need to know. I heard you have to wear helmets on rhinos. What about flags?

Neuromax hit the nail on the head. Have the children wear helmets and be strapped in and the odds of anyone saying anything would be slim anyway.

In case you did not know you are supposed to have a HM pass for each person riding. That'll be two for the Rhino and One for the ATV if it's You, Your Wife, and Child.

wear a helmet anyway....especially the kids....I have never heard of any eastern riding place requiring flags - are they going to start??? thought that mainly to be an out west issue....

we have to have them where we ride. Badlands in Indiana and Silver Lake Dunes in Michigan.

really - farthest east place I have heard of that....

it will probably catch on real soon anyway and we should all probably have em anyhow.

it helps when you're going over dunes or hills that aren't directional.

Helmets have to be worn on the HM trails anyway but my daughter doesn't ever ride anything without one......look at my screen name and you may be able to figure out why LOL.

I have a flag on my daughters raptor 80 and it really improves her visibility. I like them personally for the kids smaller ATV's but they are not required at HM.

If you follow the rules stated on the H&M website the answer would be "no" on the 3 year old. You can always try it and if you get stoped ........ play dumb and then beg for forgivness. If that don't work .... chaulk it up to a learning experience.

Being restricted to the green trails on a UTV is a major downfall for the H&M trails. We no longer have the Yamaha (the manufacture) seat belts. Technically if a ranger wanted to enforce (or force) the rules he could. Was there a rule of more than 50" .... OK (UTV) but not over 56". We are also over 56".

Do a net search about Wagon Wheel in Bud, WV. You can ride there for free and no restrictions.

we're going to go ahead and give it a try. he's safer in that rhino with 4-point harnesses and a helmet than he is in a car. If anyone is by the Little Coal River Campground. Stop by and say hello. And bring me a beer. :D