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    Babcock State Park

    4.6 (39 reviews)

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    Grist mill and waterfall near the park office
    TJ H.

    Just an awesomely run small state park with a nice assortment of things to do! We spent a long weekend staying at Babcock State Park and checking out the surrounding area, and had a wonderful time! It left me pining for better state parks in NC (even though ours are pretty nice as well). Babcock is not super large, but it was still had a very nice assortment of activities in the park. Camping, cabins, hiking, lake with rental boats and canoes, old grist mill that was still working and had tours, as well as plenty of other park type areas with volleyball, basketball, etc. We stayed in one of the older cabins and it was perfect for two of us. Large bunkbeds that could have held more if needed. Full kitchen as well as bath, a nice screened in porch. They even provided the firewood for the fire pit outside. It worked out great for us. Definitely spend some time around the park and find some of the overlooks with benches they have placed. These were great for watching a sunset or sunrise! Another neat thing I have not seen in other parks if you are a drone flyer. Instead of flat out not allowing them, you are allowed to use them during specified hours which they advertise on signs as you enter the park. Not a bad idea for a compromise. I would certainly come back, and would love to visit closer to the leaves turning to see some of the wonderful color! Babcock is also close enough to the New River Gorge National Park that you can easily make a trip to it as well!

    Cardinal flower

    Our first stop was the visitor's center and we got lucky to have Amanda Rodgers wait on us. She was a wealth of information and we returned to her multiple times with more questions about the trails and amenities of the park. You can tell she cares deeply and takes pride in this park. Thanks for all of your help. This park is amazing.

    It was a rainy day, so I binged the third season of the Umbrella Academy here.
    Toni M.

    I've been exploring state parks for well over 17 long years now, and I finally discovered the tidy Babcock State Park in Clifftop. Majestic, yet humble, this state park is more photogenic than a spoiled social media influencer who's desperate for a Brandon to buy her Starbies. I will start off by crediting the Glade Creek Grist Mill worker, who proudly projected his voice to share a brief, comprehendible lecture about the mill's functionality and history. It inspired me to start my own pickle juice-powered mill someday. If it were to exist, I would delightfully call it Glade Creek Grist Dill. The waterfall is fabulous, and I was able to get my picture taken with the Almost Heaven swing so I can post it on Twittergram later this year. I was impressed by the gift shop as well, which sold $5 bags of the Mill's freshly-ground grains and even stuffed monkeys. I will be back once I finally meet my unlucky little birdie and propose to her on the swinging bridge.

    Grist Mill at Babcock State Park in June 2021.
    Gilbert G.

    Our family stopped by this lovely park on the drive from Fayetteville, WV toward Lewisburg via US Route 60 (Midland Trail). There's a reason why it's the most photographed grist mill in the state. You feel a sense of peaceful "zen" with the placement of the mill in the context of flowing water, rocks, and trees. We came when it was a little misty (cloudy with a hint of fog), and the effect was downright magical. The visitor center allows you to buy cornmeal (generated by the mill) and has a simple gift shop and restrooms. One benefit is the very affordable prices for snacks, drinks, or mugs. I don't know if the prices are heavily subsidized for WV residents, but it was a pleasant surprise (northern Virginia prices for drinks and snacks would be 2x or 3x what is charged here). Driving to the grist mill is easy. It's about a 3 mile detour from US Route 60 (Midland Trail). However, leaving the park can be challenging if you are relying on Google Maps due to its remote setting (our cell phone reception was poor or non-existent). If you plan to drive in this area, be sure to have a paper map or backup driving directions (WiFI connectivity is limited). Overall, if you're driving between Fayetteville, WV and Lewisburg on US Route 60, this is a lovely stop that is well worth a brief detour!

    Grist mill
    Linda S.

    We stayed in cabin 23. Cabins in park divided into several groups. We never felt crowded. This particular cabin has parking next to cabin. Cabin 1- 6 you need to walk down anour 20 stairs. Cabin 7-13 are remote and there is approximately 30 - 40 feet with steps to those cabins. Our cabin is rustic in the woods while the others are near the creek. There is wifi in the cabin and all the comforts of home...microwave, stove, coffee maker, full refrigerator/freezer. There is plenty of hiking easy and moderate trails. No lodge, swimming or restaurants near by. Very relaxing. Nice to hear birds chirping and no loud music. Mountain bike trails and roads great for bike riding. So far Island in the sky trail was the most interesting. That entailed climbing over rocks, up latter's, across borders. Great trail. We brought our food, drink and charcoal. The park provided fresh towels every 3 days, cut wood for fireplace and a grill. Kitchen was supplied with all the necessary items.

    Melissa B.

    Love this park! It is free to enjoy! I have wanted to rent a cabin at this park for a long time but haven't done this yet. I am wanting to go fishing here too..I am definitely going to add to my bucket list. I love to go here and sit on the large river rocks. They are easy to navigate on and you can get some amazing photos out there of the water, the small waterfalls and the lovely old Grist Mill. The Grist Mill is free to look through and it is still operational and you can buy flour and corn meal that is milled here just like they did in Yesteryears!!!! This is an amazing afternoon well spent. I have been here so many times throughout my life as a kid, as a parent and now as an aging empty nester with my hubby. I love to park and just walk about the stream and rocks. I love to take pictures here!

    Dale S.

    Wonderful time camping here. Campground is lovely and bathhouse is clean. So many wonderful hiking trails to choose from. Would highly recommend!!

    Creek or rather the Water Source for the Mill just above the Mill
    Bill W.

    Perfect Adventure for the Photographer and the Whole Family This has been on my radar since last Fall as a spot I wanted to go for a photographic safari. Something happened last year and did not make it but last Saturday, got up at 4 am and left Cornelius around 5 am and got to the Park around 9:30. Would have gotten there earlier but my Garmin took me the shortest route which was about 10 miles of one lane dirt road over a Mountain through a Game Preserve. Beautiful drive in the early morning rain and fog and got a number of photographs that made the detour worth it and would not have seen otherwise. It's a very nice park with hiking and biking trails along with Campgrounds and Cabins for rent. Nice place to spend a couple of days and may come back for that just to relax. The high point of the Park is the Glade Creek Grist Mill. It's a recent construction by the State of West Virginia but is comprised of parts from three other older mills dating back to the 1890's. The internal works came from a Grist Mill in Onego WV which is where my wife's father grew up. The wheel came from the Spring Run Grist Mill and the basic structure came from Stoney Creek Grist Mill. There was also a local mill this replaced called Cooper's Mill. There is a park HQ where you can rent cabins and get maps for the various trails, a gift shop and finally the Mill which operated on limited hours but is a must stopping point. Steve the guide at the Mill is very knowledgeable and informative and you can see the mill in operation although at times, it's depends on the water flow. You can also buy Cornmeal and Buckwheat Flour at the Mill as well. Finally and the reason I went was the photo ops. One of the most photographed spots in West Virginia and while I went for the fall color, the pictures I have seen in Winter in the Snow or Spring with the new leaves are outstanding as well Will be back to get photo's at other times of the year as we go forward.

    Johnny H.

    This is one of my favorite places to visit in WV. It is so tranquil and serene here, with the bubbling creek and sway of the trees. The day I was there it was VERY busy, with the entire parking lot filled. The visitor center was open (to a degree) but I just stayed outside. I could not tell if the Mill was open or not, with the pandemic in full swing it was probably best not to go in though. Normally a visit to see the old machinations of the Grist Mill are a must, but I can wait until a safer time. Good trails are in the area and the campgrounds were in full swing. This is a must stop for all photographers and for anyone that likes history.

    Tiffany Y.

    I came here in Fall of 2020 and this is probably one of the prettiest parks I have been to in a long time! The views are picturesque including the mill, waterfall, mountains, and trees. I also loved doing the loop trail around the lake. Overall a gorgeous, well-maintained, and (free) park that is well worth the visit!

    Grist Mill

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    2 years ago

    I love this place, such a historic place here in West Virginia. I go to it all the time, and it does not disappoint any of the times.

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    This park is absolutely beautiful! Camping, picnicking, playground, and breathtaking overlooks.

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    3 years ago

    A must see is the old grist mill. Views are amazing. Small pond to fish or boat. Lots of hiking trails.

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    8 years ago

    Simply beautiful. You must visit at different times of the year. It's so breathtaking.

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    Review Highlights - Babcock State Park

    Working mill, beautiful scenery, cabins are available if you want a weekend getaway, many hiking trails.

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    Thurmond Depot - Bridge into Thurmond

    Thurmond Depot

    4.8(15 reviews)
    7.4 mi

    What an amazing site in the National Park. This is an abandoned town from the early to mid 1900's…read morethat had quite the past. They do an excellent job of explaining the buildings and life when it was a booming steam engine railroad town. Take your time visiting the area. I could believe that it is an active Amtrak site today.

    What an amazing place to stop and try to imagine this was once a place bustling with people…read moreworking, traveling, living .. it's so small and empty now that only the pictures can tell the tale! They did a good job putting up information and learned so much about what it was like to work here for the railroads way back when. It's incredible how times change, things become more efficient, jobs are reduced, and eventually eliminated. I spent a total of an hour and 15 minutes here for reference. There is a gift shop where I got my usual souvenir magnet, but there are other neat things here as well! I was tempted to buy the "dining on the railway" book (or a name something like that). A great piece of history here and I hope someday the interiors of the buildings can be brought up to code and replicated to look how they did in their heyday so we can get a real feel of walking into the businesses (also a rebuild of the Lafayette Hotel would be amazing, even if just a smaller scale). I'm glad what is there has been preserved by the NPS! I have to say, I left West Virginia with a treasure trove of history!

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    Thurmond Depot
    Thurmond Depot - The old Main Street

    The old Main Street

    Thurmond Depot - 2nd floor visitor's center

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    2nd floor visitor's center

    New River Gorge National Park

    New River Gorge National Park

    4.8(57 reviews)
    8.1 mi

    What a stunning national park! We made the 5 hour drive from Louisville, and weren't sure exactly…read morewhat to expect. We were blown away with how beautiful and full all the trees were. While we decided to just stick with hiking, the national park offers rafting, fishing, hunting, and bridge walking. The canyon rim visitor center was packed with useful information and history, the staff were friendly and helped us map out our day. This national park has free entry which was a nice bonus! If you're camping go early because you can't reserve campsites and they fill up fast. We couldn't find a spot for the first night and ended up having to stay at a paid campground outside the park. The second night we found a spot at Meadow Creek campground, it's an open field surrounded by trees. Don't miss the waterfall or the old railroad town of Thurmond! Those were the highlights of our trip.

    The newest National Park!…read more We did the Bridge Walk and drove the Fayette station road. Both highly recommended! You'll cover all angles of the bridge (well, not an aerial view) by doing both. The bridge walk was a unique, bucket list experience and the 8 mile one way drive was very picturesque. I wish we had time to do the whitewater rafting. It's class 4, so if you're inexperienced you definitely need an outfitter and a guide. Next time! Make sure you visit the Canyon Rim visitor center too which has an epic view of the bridge and canyon in back!

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    New River Gorge National Park
    New River Gorge National Park - River

    River

    New River Gorge National Park - Rhododendron

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    Rhododendron

    Babcock State Park - parks - Updated July 2026

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