THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
A roomy three-bedroom house just steps from the Pocahontas Trail, Running Bear-Black Bear Lodge is a practical base for group hikes, mountain biking, and fall color weekends. Sleep up to 13, cook big meals, and get early access to ridge trails without long drives.
A roomy three-bedroom house just steps from the Pocahontas Trail, Running Bear-Black Bear Lodge is a practical base for group hikes, mountain biking, and fall color weekends. Sleep up to 13, cook big meals, and get early access to ridge trails without long drives.
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Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Gold and Blue Cabins · Bluefield, West Virginia
Running Bear-Black Bear Lodge sits a stone’s throw from the Pocahontas Trailhead at 3995 Coal Heritage Rd, Bluefield, WV 24701, USA, making it a practical base camp for Appalachian ridge hikes, fall color runs, and overnight gear-ready crews. The house is a three‑bedroom rental that sleeps up to 13 guests with a mix of bunks and full beds—1 twin bunk bed, full bed, twin bunk bed, twin/full bunk bed, and 2 full beds—and a single full bathroom. Linens and towels are provided, and the kitchen is outfitted with a coffee pot, microwave, and full cooking setup; heating, A/C, TVs and free Wi‑Fi mean you can recover after long days on the trail without missing modern comforts.
Step outside and the scenery shifts quickly to hardwood forest and Ridge-and-Valley topography carved by ancient Appalachian forces. The Pocahontas Trail threads close by, offering forested switchbacks, stream crossings, and ridge views that open onto rolling coalfield valleys. You’ll notice the dark seams of coal in cuts along Coal Heritage Road and the scattering of oaks, hickories, and rhododendron that define local understory, along with songbirds and the occasional white‑tailed deer grazing near trail edges.
What makes Running Bear‑Black Bear Lodge a standout is straightforward: proximity. Few rentals put a trailhead within easy walking distance while also offering space large groups need to sleep, cook, and plan multi-day outings. It’s ideal for mountain bikers, family groups, or friends staging day trips into the surrounding public lands. After a morning on the Pocahontas Trail or exploring the nearby coal‑region overlooks, the house lets you dry gear, cook a hearty meal, and gather over maps for the next day.
There’s also a local inflection—Coal Heritage Road is a reminder of the region’s extractive past and how outdoor recreation now reclaims those corridors for hiking and riding. The lodge’s scale and simple amenities make it flexible: sleepovers for trail-running weekends, a base for birding in spring, or a warm spot for fall color photography.
Practical note: the single bathroom and bunk-heavy bedding set mean this spot rewards planning; bring privacy-minded folks and a staggered schedule for showers. Otherwise, Running Bear‑Black Bear Lodge is a functional, well-located choice for anyone seeking close-in access to the Pocahontas Trail and the rolling, coal‑scarred ridges of southern West Virginia.
Groups planning longer stays will appreciate the full kitchen and dry storage—pack sturdy hiking boots, layers for variable mountain weather, and a small repair kit for bikes. Local services in Bluefield are minutes away for groceries and fuel, and a short drive opens more technical climbs and longer backcountry loops across Mercer County. For anyone wanting close trail access with group accommodations, this lodge balances convenience, shelter, and genuine outdoor opportunity today.
easy.
1–7 days.
Basic to moderate fitness recommended for day hikes on nearby trails; bring conditioning for longer ridge runs.
The house sleeps up to 13 guests using a combination of twin bunks, twin/full bunks, and full beds as listed in the property description.
The property is located steps from the Pocahontas Trailhead, providing immediate access to local trail networks and ridge routes.
Yes — linens and towels are provided for your stay, and the house includes heating, A/C, and basic entertainment amenities.
Yes — a full kitchen with a coffee pot and microwave is included, making it practical to cook for large groups after long days outdoors.
Yes — the nearby trails and forest roads accommodate mixed-use riding; bring a repair kit for remote sections.
Parking at the property is limited—plan carpools where possible and be prepared to use nearby pullouts for extra vehicles.
Coal Heritage Road recalls the area’s coal-mining past and how former industrial corridors now give access to trails and overlooks.
Stick to established trails, pack out all trash, and avoid disturbing understory vegetation to protect native oaks, hickories, and rhododendron.
Gold and Blue Cabins operates a collection of spacious 30x60 RV sites and fully furnished cabins designed for short getaways and extended stays. The property offers multiple RV pads with full hookups, private firepits, grills, and picnic tables; a bathhouse is in development to further improve guest comfort. Cabin inventory includes one- and two-bedroom units with a variety of sleeping configurations—twin, full, and queen beds—plus futons and open-concept layouts suited to families and small groups. Select cabins feature full kitchens, A/C, heating, free WiFi, and 32" TVs to combine rustic charm with modern convenience. Stays are typically booked for one to seven nights and accommodate travelers seeking outdoor recreation, relaxed evenings by the fire, and easy access to grilling and communal socializing areas. Gold and Blue Cabins emphasizes clean, well-equipped accommodations and transparent listing details so guests know exactly what to expect. Amenities listed with each unit—such as shared or private firepits, designated grills, and in-unit kitchens—reflect the property’s focus on dependable comfort. Seasonal availability is noted for specific cabins, and consistent descriptions across RV sites and cabins support straightforward booking decisions. The collection is positioned for travelers who want reliable full-hookup RV sites or turnkey cabins with modern amenities and memorable nights under the stars.
Book with Gold and Blue Cabins