The trails Eric Larch and Chris Inghram had ridden for twenty years were getting shut down, one by one, as landowners pulled access. In 2021, they stopped waiting for someone else to solve it and leased 100,000 acres in the eastern end of Kanawha County. Phase 1 alone — opening May 23rd, 2026 — covers 25,000 acres with 300 miles of UTV trails at launch, singletrack for dirt bikes, mountain biking, horseback riding, 24 RV and tent sites expanding to 150, and a full events calendar. One mile off I-64. Its own traffic light.
The thinking behind Appalachian Outlaw Trails goes beyond trail access. They’re building an anchor for the upper Kanawha Valley — one they expect will pull in lodging, restaurants, and local businesses in its wake. The partnership with Breeze Airways and Yeager Airport makes the ambition clear: fly into Charleston, step outside, get into a waiting rental UTV, have your luggage taken up ahead, and ride to the trailhead. Advantage Valley business development partner Barbie has called it the first true experiential tourism in the state. It’s also a preview of what West Virginia’s outdoor economy is starting to look like at scale.
Learn more about: Appalachian Outlaw Trails / Advantage Valley / West Virginia International Yeager Airport / Breeze Airways
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