Buffalo Gap Retreat - Capon Bridge, West Virginia

👍 Reviews 📌 Map ℹ️ Information ⏰ Hours

Address: 229 Cool Creek Rd, Capon Bridge, WV 26711, United States.
Phone: 2024227540.
Website: buffalogapretreat.com
Specialties: Campground, Indoor lodging.
Other points of interest: Hiking, Good for kids, Kid-friendly hikes, Playground, On-site parking, Dogs allowed.
Opinions: This company has 95 reviews on Google My Business.
Average opinion: 4.8/5.

📌 Location of Buffalo Gap Retreat

Buffalo Gap Retreat 229 Cool Creek Rd, Capon Bridge, WV 26711, United States

☎️2024227540

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Overview of Buffalo Gap Retreat

The Buffalo Gap Retreat stands out as a unique destination offering both traditional campground experiences and specialized indoor lodging options. Located in Capon Bridge, West Virginia, this establishment carves a distinctive niche by blending rustic outdoor recreation with modern comforts. Drawing inspiration from its storied past as a summer camp from the 1950s and 1960s, the retreat retains a palpable sense of history woven into its fabric, creating an atmosphere that feels both authentic and welcoming. Its appeal extends significantly to families, particularly those seeking kid-friendly environments and accessible outdoor activities.

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Location and Accessibility

Situated at 229 Cool Creek Rd in Capon Bridge, West Virginia, the retreat benefits from its positioning within a landscape rich with natural beauty. Guests can conveniently access the property using the provided phone number, 2024227540, for inquiries or reservations directly. For further details and planning purposes, the official website at buffalogapretreat.com serves as the primary resource. The surrounding area likely offers proximity to regional parks, rivers, and other recreational spots, though specific distances weren't detailed in the initial information.

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Accommodation and Core Facilities

Buffalo Gap Retreat caters to diverse preferences with its dual focus on campground facilities and indoor lodging. The campground experience is enhanced by several unique features: a notable pond forming a central landscape element, reminiscent of its summer camp origins, and a centrally located cafe offering refreshments. Elevated above the cafe, distinctive cabins provide alternative accommodation options. Beyond standard camping amenities, the retreat boasts a significant attraction: a large, well-regarded wooden sauna positioned at the lake's edge, adding a touch of relaxation and wellness. Crucially, on-site parking is available for all guests, ensuring ease of arrival.

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Outdoor Activities and Family Appeal

The surrounding natural environment provides ample opportunities for exploration and recreation, solidifying the retreat's reputation as an excellent destination for families. Dedicated hiking trails are maintained, with specific mention of being "good for kids" and featuring "kid-friendly hikes." These paths likely navigate through scenic terrain, perhaps offering glimpses of nature's beauty. For water enthusiasts, kayaks are freely available for campers' use, providing access to the lake where giant carp can be observed from the shore or while paddling. To further enhance the family experience, a playground is mentioned, offering entertainment for younger guests. The overall vibe is described as permeated with character and history, suggesting numerous small details and unique features invite exploration.

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On-Site Amenities and Pet Policy

Practical conveniences are thoughtfully considered. Dogs are allowed, making the retreat accessible to pet owners, subject to any specific on-site guidelines regarding leashes and waste management. The provision of on-site parking simplifies transportation for campers and lodge guests alike. The combination of helpful and engaging staff, coupled with the site's unique history and features, contributes significantly to its positive reception, as evidenced by guest feedback.

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Reputation and Guest Feedback

Buffalo Gap Retreat maintains a strong reputation among its visitors. According to available data, the company holds 95 reviews on Google My Business, indicating active engagement and guest satisfaction. The average rating of 4.8 out of 5 speaks volumes about the quality of the experience offered. Reviews consistently highlight the unique character stemming from its history, the well-maintained facilities like the pond and cafe, the welcoming and interesting nature of the owners and staff, and the relaxing atmosphere provided by the sauna. The availability of kayaks and the presence of a playground are frequently mentioned positives, reinforcing its appeal as a family-friendly destination.

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Key Recommendations

For potential guests considering a visit, Buffalo Gap Retreat offers a compelling package. Families should be particularly encouraged to explore due to its focus on kid-friendly activities and amenities like the playground and easy hiking options. Campers seeking a unique experience away from typical developments will appreciate the historical ambiance and specific features like the pond and sauna. The indoor lodging option provides flexibility for those preferring more comfort without sacrificing the retreat's character. Booking in advance is advisable, especially during peak seasons, and checking the official website for current policies and any seasonal activity updates is recommended.

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Conclusion

In summary, Buffalo Gap Retreat presents itself as a multifaceted destination in West Virginia. It successfully blends historical charm with contemporary recreational offerings, providing both traditional camping and specialized lodging. Its emphasis on family activities, combined with unique features like the pond, cafe, cabins, and sauna, creates a memorable experience. The overwhelmingly positive reviews underscore guest satisfaction with both the facilities and the service, making it a highly recommended choice for those seeking a unique and enjoyable getaway.

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"summary": "Buffalo Gap Retreat offers a unique blend of campground and indoor lodging in West Virginia, featuring historical charm, kid-friendly activities, hiking, and a wooden sauna. Highly recommended with a 4.8/5 rating.",
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👍 Reviews of Buffalo Gap Retreat

Buffalo Gap Retreat - Capon Bridge, West Virginia

Yury I.

5/5

This campground used to be a summer camp back in the 50s and 60s, which shaped its unique landscape that features a pond at the base, a cafe higher up and cabins above the cafe. Also, as a kicker they have a great wooden sauna at the end of the lake. The lake has giant carp, that you can see from shore or the free kayaks available for campers’ use. The owner and the staff were really helpful and quite interesting to talk to. The place is permeated with character, history and lots of little unique features to explore.

Jason A.

5/5

We camped here for a night and loved the experience. Place was very well maintained and the staff was great. Recommend if you’re looking for a family campground without all the “busyness” of a KOA or jellystone.

Michael T.

5/5

First off Sean is a very friendly and honest respectful person which is why I assume he runs the place and is the go to person for any needs. This place is really cool with the 70+ year heritage of formerly being a kids summer camp with stuff still written on the walls from the prior years I saw one from 1960! So cool to see that. The cabins are what is to be expected from this kind of setting it’s not dirty or anything like that but it is very rustic and basic which is perfect to have a cool unplugged experience. The lake/ pond is awesome alot of fish and MASSIVE CARP and great size catfish if your into fishing. The Rooms aren’t insulated so when it’s really hot it gets warm so bring a fan or 2 but they do supply a window AC unit which makes it better. When we booked it was clearly stated that linens and items of the such were not provided so we brought our own not a problem just make sure to read everything they send you and your experience will be very enjoyable. Our cabin actually had a crockpot which was awesome cuz I had forgotten mine all in all for a first time here it was an awesome experience and reading the background of it makes it even more special. PS CELL PHONE SERVICE IS SPOTTY not their fault it’s just in the middle of nowhere. 10 out of 10 reccomend

Jonny S.

5/5

What a wonderful secluded place to stay. We traveled there from he Pittsburgh are to tent camp, there were 4 of us and our dog. The campsites decent size and lots of trees and nature around us. At the camp site there was just a simple fire pit (no grill) but they do have charcoal grills available to use if you needed to use one. We stayed over the weekend of 4th of July and they did a fun small firework show for everyone.

They have a very fun pond with a sandy beach area, it's filled with small to large fish, the water is very clean and clear and the best part if they have water toys for everyone to use. Kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, peddle boats, and more. The kids absolutely loved being able to go out on the water and explore. Note: you did not have to pay rentals, they were first come first serve. It was so much fun. (for us adults as well).

The cafè was very nice and spacious, lots of tables and chairs and some great seating where you can see the pond and beautiful view. The food was very delicious and had a decent size menu for being a camp ground. I will say the prices seemed a little high for the food but was great quality and outweighed that with fact they'd not charge for the water toys and beach. I just wanted to note that if you were planning on using the Cafe for all of your meals. We utilized the cafe for a couple means and some drinks and snacks throughout the trip.

The ground itself was very well maintained. and from what we heard, the cabins were very nice too. We had met a lot of people that have been coming to this camp for many years now and plan to continue to stay for years to come. The other people staying had nothing but great things to say about the Great Buffalo Retreat. We definitely will be going back!!

The Buffalo Gap retreat surprisingly had a wide range of campers there, people from all over the world. It was so refreshing to see everyone from everywhere all enjoying themselves in once place. Everyone was very friendly and we met so many nice people.

Something to note, on our stay over the 4th of July someone who owns some land next to the camp ground spent the weekend driving their off-road vehicles, shooting guns and fireworks. now, we never saw any of it, we could definitely hear it. I dont know if this is a regular thing to be hearing or if it was just for the holiday weekend (we all like to have fun). It did't both us personally but something I wanted to note for new campers. Besides that it was a very quiet camp ground with little to no sound of traffic or card driving.

Abe R.

5/5

We loved this camp ground! Rustic cabins, but clean and well equipped. The only thing they don't provide is linens for the bed, but they made that very clear when we booked. The window AC unit (we stayed in the Willow cabin) worked very well, both for AC and heat. We loved the lake and enjoyed taking the boats out around the lake. The stuff in the lakeside cabin is a little the worse for wear, but we still had a blast playing all the games regardless. The staff was incredibly helpful and friendly, especially the women who works in the café. We plan on making this an every summer trip!

Antonia G.

3/5

Camped here last summer and really enjoyed our experience! It was our first time camping with our kids and we rented "The Nook" campsite and absolutely loved it! However, there are some things I feel other campers should be aware of before booking.
Pros: Management was very friendly and responsive! Grounds are well maintained, bathrooms are clean, and we loved that kayaks were available for us to use! Campground was very quiet overall, and we were so glad we could bring our dog.
Cons: campsite was extremely unlevel with lots of tree roots exposed- our kids kept tripping and getting hurt and we had a hard time finding a suitable place for the tent. Be very careful as there is poison ivy EVERYWHERE. You cannot park next to the Nook and will have to carry everything from your car about 40ft (not too bad.) Also be aware there is no electric and running water is a 10min round trip walk. The lakehouse was a nice amenity in theory, but everything in it was dirty and broken, there was rotting food in the fridge and it reeked of cigarette smoke.
We also found the hiking trail to be too challenging for our kids and older dog, but that's not really a con just something to keep in mind.
Overall we really liked this place and wanted to return for a longer stay this year, but found the campsite has gone up in price, I already thought $70/night was a lot but it's just not affordable for us now. Cabins seem to still be about the same price as last year so if you can afford around 100+ a night, probably worth it to at least have the AC and private bathroom and electric.

Pat M.

5/5

I stayed here for 2x nights, 3 days. The staff are all super friendly and pleasant. The atmosphere is summer-campy and fun.

The only other time I’d seen fresh water so
crystal clear and nice was in the Austrian alps.

Really don’t have a single bad thing to say. Anytime I needed assistance, I was helped. When I wanted solitude/seclusion, I was left alone. Perfect get’away from DC

Olivia N.

5/5

Wonderful campground with many amenities. We stayed at the island large group camp and it was perfect for our labor day weekend getaway. Everyone working there is very friendly and the food at the cafe hit the spot. Don't miss out on a root beer float!