The Old West is closer than you think

A campground in Bluewell adds Lone Star seasoning to your weekend.

Rustic hideaways, comfortable lodges and bison herds set the scene at Buffalo Trail Cabins. Grab your cowboy hat, partner — welcome to old Southern West Virginia!

Home on the range

Whether you’re bringing 11 relatives or just yourself for vacation, Buffalo Trail Cabins has lodgings of all sizes.

City slickers will appreciate the new cabins and cottages. These don’t have the weathered charm of vintage ones, but that frontier ambience still comes through anyway. You’ll get basic comforts: a kitchenette, living area, linens and full bath. And if you can’t stand the idea of fully unplugging, no worries — Buffalo Trail has wi fi and TV.

Want to rough it? Reserve a special treehouse camp site. These shelters are a step above tent life — no pun intended. Basically, a small cabin rests atop a raised platform. You get bunk beds and a deck with forest views. Below, cook hot dogs from a fire pit and dine on a picnic table. Your treehouse comes with an outdoor faucet, too. But you’ll have to walk to Buffalo Trail’s climate-controlled bath house for showers and toilets.

Bisons n’ beer

Buffalo Trail Cabins is more than a name. In fact, they raise bison. You might even see several calves!

The lodge-style restaurant and patio is another highlight. Order hearty fare like made-to-order bison burgers, pasta, buffalo chicken pizza and large salads. If you’re especially hungry, fill up on pot sticker appetizers, seasoned shrimp, fried pickles or cheese fries.

Thirsty? Wet your whistle with mixed drinks, craft beer and unlimited refills of soda!

Ride into the sunset, ATV style

Buffalo Trail doesn’t have horses, but you can still blaze your own path. Just down the road is the famous Hatfield-McCoy Trail System — one of the world’s largest ATV destinations. While you’re in the area, get to know the Pocahontas Trailhead. This access point opens to literally hundreds of miles of off-road terrain. Saddle up!

What kind of Buffalo Trail adventure do you want to try first?