BELLE, W.Va – A massive recreational development is a step closer to opening after a groundbreaking ceremony for the Appalachian Outlaw Trails near Belle.

The trails’ owners and local leaders gathered at the future site of the welcome center on Wednesday to celebrate another step toward the project coming to fruition.

“This is going to be an economic driver bringing people not just outside this county and outside this state, but internationally right here to the largest ATV park in the nation,” Kanawha County Commissioner Lance Wheeler said.

Phase one of the project includes 25,000 square acres with trails for UTVs, ATVs, dirt bikes, and full-size vehicles, as well as mountain biking and hiking. The property will also include 24 campsites before later expansion brings the total acreage to 100,000 with 150 RV campsites, 50 cabins, shops, and more.

Co-owner Eric Larch said much of the project’s focus is on bringing more tourism business to the Upper Kanawha Valley.

“A huge component to me is the economic development of this end of the county. It has been very depraved from coal and has seen a pretty large downturn on this end, and we’re excited that there’s going to be businesses and opportunities that grow alongside us,” he said.

In addition to the business aspect, Larch brings a focus on preservation to the project. He said the trails that will be part of the system are the same ones he used growing up.

“My most exciting thing is probably that my family and other younger generations are going to be able to continue to access these trail systems like we did growing up,” he said.

Wheeler agreed, emphasizing the complex’s relationship with the local community. He believes the location is the right fit for this kind of development.

“I think this is going to bring a lot for tourism. It’s going to bring a lot for economic development, but it’s going to give back to this community that loves ATVs, Jeeps, and dirt bikes so much a place to call home and a place that they’re going to be able to call home and just share with the community,” he said.

The Appalachian Outlaw Trails are scheduled to open with phase one of the project complete in May.