Restaurants Off the Beaten Path
No matter where your ride starts, every trip reaches the same destination: a serious appetite. Packing your meals is typically the most common and cost effective option, but stopping at a trailside eatery can become just as memorable as the ride itself.
We’ve combined a selection of trail-friendly restaurants deserve a spot on your itinerary.
Trailside Tavern – Pocahontas, Virginia
Few restaurants are better positioned for off-road travelers than Trailside Tavern. Located in the ATV-friendly town of Pocahontas, Virginia, the restaurant sits just minutes from the Original Pocahontas Trail System, part of Virginia’s renowned Spearhead Trails network. Riders can spend the day exploring scenic mountain overlooks and rolling terrain before pulling in for a well-earned meal.
Trailside Tavern has quickly become a favorite stop for both locals and visiting riders thanks to its welcoming atmosphere and elevated take on American comfort food. The menu features handcrafted burgers, specialty sandwiches, pimento queso tots, and unique noodle dishes, giving riders something a little different from the typical trail stop.
Tipple Tavern – Matewan, West Virginia
Location matters when you’re riding all day, and few restaurants are positioned better than Tipple Tavern, located directly on Trail 59 of the renowned Hatfield-McCoy Trail System. The tavern has become a favorite stop for visitors thanks to its welcoming atmosphere and classic American menu. It’s also a popular meeting place where riders compare trail conditions, recommend routes, and trade stories before heading back into the mountains.
Trail 59 Grill – Matewan, West Virginia
The Trail 59 Grill offers an even more direct link between trail and table. Situated just off Trail 59 within the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System, this casual trailside outpost serves up burgers, sandwiches, and cold drinks without requiring a detour into town. It doesn’t get much better than dining right on the trail itself.
Hoover’s Grille – Marysvale, Utah
Utah’s Paiute ATV Trail stretches for hundreds of miles through forests, mountains, and high-desert landscapes, making it one of the most impressive trail systems in the western United States.
Located within Hoover’s River Resort, Hoover’s Grille has become a favorite stop for riders exploring this legendary network. Its location places visitors close to multiple access points, making it easy to fuel up before a ride or recharge afterward.
The restaurant offers multiple comfort-food favorites. Combined with the resort’s lodging options, Hoover’s River Resort has become a popular headquarters for riders spending several days exploring the Paiute Trail’s endless variety of terrain.
Smokin Butts Barbecue – Pioneer, Tennessee
Few combinations are more satisfying than a long day of trail riding followed by authentic barbecue.
Located just 1.5 miles from Royal Blue Ride Park, Smokin’ Butts Barbecue has become a popular stop for riders tackling one of Tennessee’s premier off-road destinations. Royal Blue is known for its diverse trail system that ranges from scenic mountain rides to more technical terrain, attracting ATV and UTV enthusiasts from across the Southeast.
After hours spent navigating rocky climbs and wooded trails, riders can enjoy slow-smoked barbecue, pulled pork, brisket, and classic Southern sides that have earned the restaurant a loyal following. Its close proximity to the park means you won’t have to venture far.
Black Bear Tavern – Colebrook, New Hampshire
Northern New Hampshire offers some of the Northeast’s most scenic ATV riding, and Black Bear Tavern sits right off the Metallak Trail System, making it an easy stop during a full day of exploration.
The surrounding trail network carries riders through dense forests, rolling mountains, and picturesque small towns that showcase a different side of New England’s off-road scene.
Black Bear Tavern is well known for its relaxed atmosphere and hearty pub fare, offering steaks, sandwiches, and local favorites that satisfy hungry riders after hours on the trails. The restaurant has become a gathering place for both locals and visiting riders looking to unwind before continuing their adventure or calling it a day.
Fuel the Ride, Then Fuel Yourself
The best ATV adventures don’t end when the engines shut off. They’re built around the entire experience, from the scenic trails and unforgettable views to the conversations shared over a great meal with friends – new or old.
As you plan your next off-road getaway, take a few extra minutes to map out where you’ll stop to eat along the way. Trail systems often stretch for dozens or even hundreds of miles, and knowing where to find a reliable meal can make your ride smoother and a lot more memorable.
Aysia Jackson
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