The Area
Bluefield, West Virginia.
A landscape that rewards the curious — and the adventurous.
Your Base Camp
More than a place to sleep.
Bluefield and nearby towns like Bramwell and Pocahontas sit at the crossroads of Appalachian adventure and Southern hospitality. From world-class ATV trails and historic mountain towns to local dining, scenic overlooks and mountain waterways, there's far more here than most visitors expect.
The Lantern puts you within easy reach of it all. Buffalo Trail Resort & Restaurant is less than a mile away, with groceries and fuel under two miles from the property. The Hatfield-McCoy trailhead is just three miles away, and the surrounding ATV-friendly communities allow you to ride out from the property into the towns and trails the region is known for.
Ride out. Explore all day. Come back to comfort.
Adventure
Hundreds of miles of trail.
Bluefield is the gateway to some of the most celebrated ATV and off-road terrain in the eastern United States. The Hatfield-McCoy Trail System spans over 700 miles across multiple counties — and The Lantern sits right at the edge of it all. Ride out from the front door and reach the nearby trailhead in minutes, without ever loading a trailer. Stop for gas and groceries in Bluewell, grab a margarita at Casa Familia, or explore the historic streets of Bramwell — all from the seat of your ATV. And right here in Mercer County, Brush Creek Holl'r offers a thrilling mountain coaster that winds through the West Virginia hills — a perfect add-on for any day on the trails.
- Buffalo Trail Resort & Restaurant — less than 1 mile from The Lantern
- ATV trailhead — just 3 miles away
- Hatfield-McCoy Trail System — 700+ miles
- Gas & groceries in Bluewell — under 2 miles, ATV friendly
- Casa Familia — margaritas & dining, ATV accessible
- Historic Bramwell, WV — walking tour of the Millionaires' Row
- Brush Creek Holl'r Mountain Coaster — Mercer County, WV
- ATV trailer parking on-site
- Multiple difficulty levels for all riders
Outdoors
Ridgelines worth the climb.
The Appalachian mountains surrounding Bluefield offer some of the most dramatic scenery in the mid-Atlantic. Hike to panoramic overlooks, explore forested hollows, and discover waterfalls tucked into the hillsides. Don't miss the East River Mountain Overlook for sweeping valley views, or the East River Mountain Tunnel — one of the longest highway tunnels on the East Coast. Trails range from easy nature walks to challenging ridge routes.
- East River Mountain Overlook — panoramic valley views
- East River Mountain Tunnel — a landmark drive
- Bluefield City Park — hiking & biking trails + renowned Christmas light display
- Trails for all skill levels
- Bluestone National Scenic River nearby
- Fall foliage season is spectacular
Local Flavor
A culinary scene quietly thriving.
Bluefield's food scene covers all the bases — from fast food and casual spots perfect after a long day on the trails, to independent restaurants with real character. Head to Casa Familia for authentic Mexican and a well-earned margarita — and yes, you can ride your ATV there. Grab gas and groceries in Bluewell without ever getting in a car. Ask us for our current favorites — we keep the list updated.
- Casa Familia — margaritas & Mexican dining, ATV accessible
- Gas & groceries in Bluewell — under 2 miles, ATV friendly
- Fast food and quick-service options
- Casual dining for every appetite
- Independent local restaurants
- Coffee shops and bakeries
Culture
A town built to last.
The towns surrounding The Lantern carry a rich and layered history. Bramwell, WV — once home to more millionaires per capita than any town in America — is lined with stunning Victorian-era homes that still stand today. Take a self-guided walking tour of Millionaires' Row and step back into the coal boom era. In Bluefield, explore the historic rail yards that helped build the region, and visit the Exhibition Mine in Pocahontas, VA — a preserved coal mine that tells the story of the industry that shaped these mountains. Don't miss the fully restored Granada Theater in downtown Bluefield, a beautifully preserved landmark and cultural centerpiece of the city.
- Bramwell, WV — Victorian-era homes & Millionaires' Row walking tour
- Historic rail yards of Bluefield, WV
- Exhibition Mine — Pocahontas, VA
- Granada Theater — fully restored, downtown Bluefield
- Bluefield City Park — hiking & biking trails + renowned Christmas light display
- Eastern Regional Coal Archives
- Bluefield Area Arts Center
Nature
Wild water and old-growth forest.
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve is about 1.5 hours from The Lantern. Stand on the overlook and take in the iconic New River Gorge Bridge, one of the longest steel arch bridges in the world. ACE Adventure Resort sits right at the gorge — known for world-class zip lines and outdoor adventure on the New River. Closer to home, Bluestone State Park and the Bluestone National Scenic River offer swimming, fishing, and camping. Local parks near The Lantern are perfect for a quick outdoor escape between adventures.
- New River Gorge National Park & Bridge — ~1.5 hrs
- ACE Adventure Resort — zip lines & outdoor adventure — ~1.5 hrs
- Bluestone State Park — swimming, fishing & camping
- Bluestone National Scenic River
- Local parks near The Lantern
Day Trips
Explore Beyond Bluefield.
The Lantern puts you within easy reach of some of the best outdoor adventures, mountain towns, city escapes, and attractions in the region. From skiing and waterfalls to the New River Gorge, everything below makes an easy day trip from your stay.
- Winterplace Ski Resort — skiing & snowboarding — ~45 min
- Pipestem Resort State Park — golf, trails & mountain views — ~45 min
- The Cascades, Jefferson National Forest — waterfall hike — ~1 hr
- Christiansburg, VA — shopping & dining — ~1 hr 15 min
- ACE Adventure Resort — zip lines & outdoor adventure — ~1.5 hrs
- New River Gorge National Park & Preserve — bridge, trails & overlooks — ~1.5 hrs
- Roanoke, VA — Roanoke Star, Taubman Museum & craft breweries — ~1.5 hrs
- Lewisburg, WV — dining, arts & antiques — ~1.5 hrs
- Charleston, WV — State Capitol, Clay Center & Capitol Market — ~2 hr 15 min
- Charlotte, NC — Uptown dining, entertainment & NASCAR Hall of Fame — ~3 hrs
- Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA) — ~1.5 hrs
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) — ~3 hrs
Local Tips
From us to you.
Mountain coaster in Mercer County
Brush Creek Holl'r is right here in Mercer County — a thrilling mountain coaster that winds through the West Virginia hills. A great add-on for any day you're not on the trails.
You're closer than you think
Buffalo Trail Resort & Restaurant is less than a mile from The Lantern. Local grocery and gas in Bluewell are under two miles. The ATV trailhead is just three miles out — no trailer needed.
ATV permits
Hatfield-McCoy requires a trail permit. Purchase online in advance — we can help point you to the right trailhead for your skill level. Ride out from the property and reach the trailhead within minutes.
Best seasons
Fall (Sept–Nov) for foliage and mild temps. Winter for Ski Winterplace and the Bluefield City Park Christmas display. Spring for wildflowers. Summer for ATV season at its peak.
Dine & ride
Casa Familia is ATV accessible — stop in for a margarita and a meal without ever parking the machine. Gas and groceries in Bluewell are just as easy to reach on two or four wheels.
Plan your day trips
Ski Winterplace is 45 minutes out, Pipestem is under an hour, and New River Gorge and ACE Adventure Resort are about 1.5 hours. Book activities in advance — especially ski days.
Ready to explore?
Book The Lantern and use it as your base for everything Bluefield has to offer.
Reserve The Lantern