We were in West Virginia for my husband's work and made it a little leaf peeping Excursion. Babcock is on the top of the list of places I like to go the mill and the lake plus the colors around the area are just gorgeous lots of Reds oranges and yellows. No fee to enter they have restrooms that are easy to access and flushy bathrooms. There is a Almost Heaven swing by the mill. But what the pictures don't show is the sound of the Rushing Water it's just all so beautiful. Recommend bringing snacks in a beverage have a little picnic. Fall is the prettiest time but I'm sure it's beautiful anytime of year I'm sure with some snow would be gorgeous but I'd be a little scared to tackle all the West Virginia curvy roads with some ice and snow. This year we had such a dry drought year that no one thought the fall was going to be worth seeing so we didn't make any Leaf peeping vacations. If he hadn't had this work trip we would have missed out on on this for the year. Considering the dryness the colors were doing pretty good around here we had went to other areas where the leaves were already down around black around Blackwater and Seneca Rock. But the bugs were quite annoying mainly lots of gnats that if you stopped moving they were really annoying. We've been here a few other times in other years and this is the only time that was an issue. At the lake they have porta potties and the moved them to block the lake view Which is unfortunate. Please move them. !! read more

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Did a quick stopover on the way to Hawk's Nest SP, and wow, this place is beautiful! One of the most frequently visited state parks in WV and it's easy to see why! The grist mill is absolutely iconic, sitting atop a picturesque waterfall. The park has a mountain lake for water activities, plenty of trails, and even cabins for longer stays! There's an Almost Heaven swing right by the mill and visitor's center, and the CCC stonework is stunning. The New River Gorge bridge is about 20-30 minutes away depending on how well you drive on mountain roads, and there's plenty to do in the area for a fun weekend or even longer! I will definitely be back myself! read more

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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! read more

Babcock State Park - Grist mill and waterfall near the park office - Parks Near Me - Danese, West Virginia

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. read more

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Every year around October my fellow desert rat (my wife) and I head out from the 50 shades of brown in search of tall Autumn. We had a brief stay in West Virginia after taking some time on Shenandoah and came upon this little gem and the colors were popping. A small park to me sure but beautiful and an enjoyable couple hours snapping photos and enjoying nature. read more

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. read more

Babcock State Park - It was a rainy day, so I binged the third season of the Umbrella Academy here. - Parks Near Me - Danese, West Virginia

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! read more

Babcock State Park - Grist Mill at Babcock State Park in June 2021. - Parks Near Me - Danese, West Virginia

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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. read more

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We have held our family reunion at the Sugar Run pavilion here for years, but we no longer do. The volleyball court there was a plus, as well as the paddle boats, and Grist mill tour. Not having power at the pavilion was a minus for food service (crockpots, etc..), but we could work around it. However, the closing of the pool removed an activity for kids to do (and adults to cool off). For other uses, like camping and smaller picnics it's ideal, and i would recommend it. read more

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! read more

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

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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.

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! read more

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Lovely place! Great trails and sights. One, of course, being the Grist Mill, one of West Virginia's most iconic landmarks. The smell in the air is such fresh nature this time of year. Really enjoyed and needed it. Recommend if you like parks. Cabins to rent, if interested. read more

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

The park was gorgeous, but it's not that well taken of. It's still worth coming to check it out for the awesome views. read more

In the middle of a nine day stay here in the cabins at this park. It's been a wonderful stay, relaxing and invigorating. The park is most famous for its photogenic Grist Mill, but it has a great fishing pond and great walk paths as well. It has a campground for tents and TVs, but we have found the cabins to be perfect for us. Basically a one room cabin with a small bathroom, it still has a full kitchen, bunk beds, dining table, along with an outdoor charcoal and fire pit. In our case, also a lovely screen porch. No tv and air conditioning, which also fit our desires, but we are told that keeps a lot of people away. For us, electricity, water, and WiFi were all we needed (and why I can write this review sitting in the cabin at the dining table) We have also used this as a base to see other West Birginia sites, as well as rafting the New river. read more

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

Beautiful campsites! Ample size lots with tons of shade and big ol trees on the campground where the showers are. WiFi is a bit consistent and don't expect to stream video or audio. Download everything you want to watch or listen to before arriving. Nice hiking trails, creeks, and Boyle lake. Only about 20-30 minutes to great white water rafting. read more

It's a really a quiet small park to visit. They do have WiFi if you didn't know which was super nice. The gift shop had some pretty unique things to buy. The waterfall was gorgeous, but it was a little slow and drier than it has been which was a bummer. I loved going into the gristmill which was super cool to see history while visiting. Overall had some pretty views and was really nice and shaded. Definitely would recommend to anyone who wants to see this park. read more

very nice campground. Bathrooms are clean. 2 bar Verizon service. Guest WiFi. Great place to camp near the new river gorge. read more

Babcock State Park - Old Grist Mill - Parks Near Me - Danese, West Virginia

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

I have to say that this is one of my all-time favorite state parks. It was so gorgeous in the fall and I spent a lot of time there taking pictures, walking around, and hiking a trail. The park is free! You can't beat that! I was in WV with my fiancé and I spent a morning here in October of 2019 so that I was staying out of the way/behind the scenes while she and her fellow bridesmaids got ready for their friend's wedding. It was a perfect morning! read more

Beautiful! Spur of the moment stop that was well worth it! Working mill, beautiful scenery, cabins are available if you want a weekend getaway, many hiking trails. Picturesque spot, so bring your camera! read more

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We enjoyed our hike here. We had never been here before, nor were we familiar with the area so we asked for some guidance. The woman there was very helpful and gave us several hikes to fit our needs. We ended up on Skyline Trail. It had pretty views when you got to the viewpoints but the tail was not very well kept. There were times when we were not sure we were even on a path. However, it was a good choice so if you are okay with that then I would recommend it. The mill at the visitor center is beautiful and we put our feet in the water (at our own risk). A nice place to hike if you are nearby for sure. read more

Great little state park! Great for a short walk around the grounds or in Glade Creek. The Glade Creek Mill is open on the weekends and if you're lucky you'll see the Mill in action and can purchase freshly milled products! read more

Babcock State Park - Glade Creek Mill- the most photographed Mill in the US! - Parks Near Me - Danese, West Virginia

To start with..on October 4th, 2022 we arrived at 8pm to check in with our reservation, and were pleasantly surprised to see someone still working the desk. The young girl with long brown hair and colored streaks was never terribly friendly, no problem, but when my husband asked for a map she totally and intentionally ignored him. She told us to drive down and turn right. We left...and drove and drove and drove...no right turns. We finally went back to ask again and she gave my husband the most disgusted look her face could make and huffed off her chair and told him to follow her. As she walked past me she still had a disgusted look and almost angrily pointed to an unlit road directly across the street. Her behavior and unkindly conduct rates the biggest reason for the 2 stars. The other reasons we would choose another park...if you are coming in at night the signage is not visible for the campground and there is apparently only one, possibly two bathrooms available, both located quite a ways from sites numbered above 33. So, one entire circle has no facilities which is where we were located. read more

I was just enjoying an ice cold beer with the boys and I got in trouble!!!! I was very disappointed and had to proceed to shotgun my beer in order to finish it within 5 seconds, new record btw.... read more

Great park! Went camping here over the weekend and the amenities are VERY WELL maintained. Lots of well marked trails that you can take from the cabins/camp grounds. read more

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Gorgeous setting with West Virginia's iconic grist mill and waterfall that you see in so many photos, often taken around autumn. Well kept clean park that is maintained nicely. Numerous cabins and campgrounds nearby. Plenty of places to hang out and relax or fish. Pleasant gift shop. read more

Beautiful setting and cool mill. The creek through here has some great waterfalls and access down the water, which is good for kids. I'm glad we stopped during our visit to the New River Gorge. We even saw a baby duck safely navigating the rapids on his own. read more

Babcock State Park - Grist Mill - Parks Near Me - Danese, West Virginia

This place is a must see going through West Virginia! Great place to just listen to the tranquil water, get some local stuff and see nature. Definitely going to rent a cabin soon! read more

It was a nice day when my cousin and I decided to drive around West Virginia and see some of the beautiful sites. The Babcock mill was one of the last stops of the day. A beautiful area with easy access parking. The water level was pretty low this day but a relaxing location and sit and enjoy. The mill itself had a small area to walk through with examples of grain that would be ground here. Worth while to stop and see while hitting all the other sites. read more

What a great park. Clean. Quiet. And scenic Camping area is one of the best we have been to. Beautiful hiking throughout the park. Narrow gauge trail has s few areas that are washed out and a steep drop. Read you could mountain bike it but I wouldn't Didn't stay in the cabins but they look very nice in a great setting. Overall a wonderful weekend. read more

Pretty & clean enough, BUT--I brought my family for the purpose of visiting the swimming pool that used to be at this park only to be told it was closed down last summer. If they had to close it then fine, but would it be too much trouble for them to post an announcement on their website about the closure? Would have saved me a day and about 60 miles worth of gas. read more

Have visited Babcock State Park the last 5 years at least once a year. Have tent camped as well as stayed in the cabins. Have nothing but good things to say about this place. Why leave the state when you have this great vacation place to go to. Rates are fair and the accommodations are great. read more