Western Slope hunting season starts Saturday, October 31, and the Massanutten Western Slope trails shift to a Sunday-only schedule for the next two months.
Western Slope Trail Access, 2026
Open daily: January – October 30, 2026
Open Sundays only: October 31, 2026 – January 2, 2027
After dark (Mon – Sat, pass holders): 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise
Why Western Slope hunting season changes trail access
Every fall, hunting season arrives in the mountains above Massanutten, and the Western Slope trails open to riders, hikers, and runners during the day on Sundays only. It’s a seasonal rhythm built into how this trail network works, and it keeps trail users and hunters out of each other’s way during one of the busiest stretches of the year in the woods.
Hunters are part of the Shenandoah Valley’s outdoor community, just as riders, runners, and hikers are. Many of us are both. Giving each group its own times is how a shared landscape stays welcoming to everyone.
The Western Slope trails sit on private property owned by Massanutten Resort, which is why access follows a seasonal schedule. Before you head out, you can look over the Western Slope trail map on Trailforks to plan your route. Access dates can change without notice, so check the Coalition’s website for the latest on the Western Slope trails before every ride, and thank you for helping keep this shared landscape welcoming for everyone.
What this means for you
From October 31 through January 2, plan your daytime Western Slope outings for Sundays. The trails are closed to daytime use Monday through Saturday, so please don’t ride, hike, or run them then. Everything else is the same: you still need a valid trail pass and a signed waiver, dogs stay leashed, and gates stay closed behind you.
If Sundays are your trail day this season, a few habits help:
- Wear bright colors. Blaze orange is a smart choice in the woods this time of year.
- Stay on the marked trails and out of the surrounding woods.
- Check the Coalition’s website and social channels before you go for any updates.
Riding after sunset or before sunrise
There’s one exception to the Sunday-only schedule. Riders with a current trail pass can use the Western Slope Monday through Saturday in the dark hours: starting 30 minutes after sunset and ending 30 minutes before sunrise. In between, from 30 minutes before sunset until 30 minutes after sunset, the trails are closed to biking, and they stay closed to daytime use all day.
Sunset and sunrise shift by a few minutes every day, and they move a lot between late October and the end of December. Check the times for the day you plan to ride rather than relying on last week’s. Some tips for after-dark riders:
- Bring a bright front light and a backup. A helmet light helps you see around corners.
- Carry your pass, ride with a friend when you can, and tell someone where you’re going.
- Stay on the marked trails and keep an eye out for wildlife.
- Be out of the woods before the closed window starts, 30 minutes before sunset.
Looking for somewhere to ride midweek?
The Western Slope will be back on a daily schedule after the Sunday-only period ends in early January. Until then, the Coalition’s Seven Bends State Park trails are a good option for a weekday ride or walk.
Thank you to the volunteers who keep these trails running all year. Winter Sundays on the Western Slope are some of the best days of the season. We’ll see you out there.
