The park makes for a superb getaway in a natural setting, and Babcock State Park hotels are ideal for retiring to after a busy day outdoors with your family. Economy cabins close for the season October 31. Babcock State Parks 52-unit campground has 28 sites with electric hookups and 24 non-electric sites. Located about 20 miles southeast of the historic New River Gorge Bridge, Babcock State Park is also home to one of the most photographed spots in the state. The 4,127 acres of breathtaking nature in Babcock State Park make it one of West Virginia's most recognisable sites. A river winds its way through the woods and fields of the park and Lake Ovid is nestled in the middle of it all. The use of drones is permitted, but only from 1-3 p.m., daily. Suitable for biking. A living monument to the over 500 mills which thrived in West Virginia at the turn of the century, the Glade Creek Grist Mill provides freshly ground cornmeal, which park guests may purchase depending on availability and stream conditions. The campground is open the third Friday in April until the fourth Monday in October, weather permitting. The trail has a fairly steep downhill section connecting to the Old Pond Trail. Subscribe for the latest road trip ideas, behind the scenes updates, travel tips & videos from Bill On The Road! Almost heaven in West Virginia at Babcock Campground! All paved and gravel roads at Babcock are open for riders. Local outfitters have guided trips for all ages and abilities. Babcock State Park 241 Reviews #1 of 3 things to do in Clifftop Nature & Parks, Forests, State Parks 486 Babcock Rd, Butt, Clifftop, WV 25831-7240 Open today: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Save Review Highlights "Not to be missed" Nestled in among the many attractions for the New River Gorge national park, this state park was. Early morning photos of this gem are breathtaking especially in Autumn. Numbered posts and a booklet available at park headquarters take you around this self-guided trail, which leads to the Natural Arch off from the right side of the parking spur. This a short and steep trail connecting Twin Hollow Trail to Ridge Top Trail. The exterior surrounding lights are also minimal making it great for looking at the stars and really being out in the wilderness. Of special interest, the mill was created by combining parts and pieces from three mills which once dotted the state. Top 5 Instagrammable Fall Foliage Spots at State Parks, Most Instagramable Spots at West Virginia State Parks, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. As you can see, the cabin's stairway's been rebuilt this season; we've also got new pots and pans and are feeling a little spoilt. Old Sewell Road used to run five miles or so to the site of Sewell on the C&O line along the New River. It is located approximately 20 miles away from the New River Gorge Bridge.. Visitors can tour the mill certain times of the year and even purchase the cornmeal thats produced there. Known as the Little Bahamas of the East, this exotic lake is a popular spot for boating, swimming, scuba diving, and stand-up paddle boarding. Expect to see remnants of the former railway, including railroad ties and telegraph poles. Visitors to the mill may journey back to a time when grinding grain by a rushing stream was a way of life, and the groaning mill wheel was music to the millers ear. The park is most known for the Glade Creek Grist Mill, a fully functional replica of the original Cooper's Mill. Babcock is also located near several other cultural and natural attractions, and the route is along two scenic highways. Its all waiting for you this summer in Almost Heaven. long, this option follows the former railroad tracks of a railway that closed in 1956. *Offer is not available at Stonewall Resort State Park. Overall they packed a lot into this small space but it didnt really feel cramped. Babcock State Park was a gift to West Virginia from Babcock Coal and Coke, an operation which ran coal mines at Clifftop and a lumbering operation headquartered at Landisburg. A very small table was located near the end of the bed where you could eat meals indoors, along with two dressers which I never used, and a few wooden chairs. 2023 Glamping Hub International Inc. All rights reserved. Only negative was no mirror in front of the sink, it was awkwardly located over the toilet for whatever reason. It features a high cliff area, so watch your children carefully. Proper licenses are available online. Just a short drive outside of the Washington and Baltimore metro areas, this loop through West Virginias Eastern Panhandle is both a relaxing and enlightening weekend getaway. Babcock State Park Share 100% Recommended Temperature unknown Official website (304) 438-3004 Park hours: Mon to Sun: 6:00am - 10:00pm Camping types: Reservable campsites. Babcock Camping Twenty-miles north of West Virginia's iconic New River Gorge Bridge, Babcock State Park offers its guests 4,127 acres of serene, yet rugged beauty. Babcock State Park offers 28 cabins for vacation rentals. The park, set on the rim of the Gauley River Canyon, was the setting for the 1861 Civil War battle during which Confederate troops were driven out of the Kanawha Valley. Amenities include fully equipped kitchens, linen service, central heat and air conditioning, gas or wood fireplace and an outside grill. Suitable for biking. This short, steep trail connects Skyline Trail with Narrow Gauge Trail and is a stone staircase constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. It is much easier to walk downhill from the Skyline Trail. These rustic cabins are a perfect base from which you can explore the park's natural beauty. @2021 - Bill On The Road | Rediscover America, Visit Roswell, New Mexico For Out of This World Family Fun, Visit These Three States And The Life of Buddy Holly, Now Is The Time To Rediscover Abilene, Texas. A valid military ID must be presented at check in. Hit the water for a nice relaxing day spent soaking up the sunshine. If you want to make it more difficult, approach from beautiful Grist Mill instead of the road, and you'll encounter a steep but fun climb. The trailheads are across from the Short Cut Trail or past the Natural Arch parking area on the right, if coming from the main park entrance. And while I was looking for a place to stop for a night, I decided to try camping at Babcock State Park in Cliffton, West Virginia. Inside the cabin there was a small kitchen area including a medium sized refrigerator/freezer that would be great for most couples, a full sink, microwave, oven, and cabinets with dishes and glasses. Campsites may be reserved anytime online, by phone, or at the campground office. Babcock State Park offers 28 cabins for vacation rentals. Located near the park headquarters, the Glade Creek Grist Mill is commonly photographed. Located about 20 miles southeast of the historic New River Gorge Bridge, Babcock State Park is also home to one of the most photographed spots in the state.The Glade Creek Grist Mill is a fully functional replica of the original Coopers Mill that was completed in 1976. I was invited to try one of the cabins located inside the park and I will share with you the pros and cons. We also use third party cookies for advertising and analytics purposes. Suitable for mountain biking. This is a popular trail for hiking and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Escape the churn and burn of the daily routine and hit the road this summer. Suitable for biking. The Glade Creek Grist Mill is a fully functional replica of the original Coopers Mill, which once stood on the grounds. BABCOCK STATE PARK 4,127 acres OLD TOWN OF SEWELL SITE NEW RIVER NATURAL AREA Intensive Use Area SEWELL ROAD 11 41 41 19 33 Cabins Cabin Type Capacity Cabin Number Legacy 2 person 17, 18 . Vacation cabins vary park to park but generally are of wood frame construction and feature 2, 3- and 4-bedroom configurations with 1 or 2 bathrooms with showers. Outdoor recreation includes hiking, biking, fishing, wildlife viewing and exploring historic sites like the Glad Creek Grist Mill. While not ideal, it was perfectly fine for me as I was traveling solo and Im not a very tall, large person. Both cabins are above Glade Creek, though on opposite sides of the valley; 10 is past the mill, then down the hill on the Old Sewell Road. His humorous tales curl the lips on the grumpiest of people. This is Cabin 10 at West Virginia's Babcock State Park. Picnic area restrooms and certain area gates close for the season Oct. 31. The trail has some uphill sections from either starting point. Whitewater rafting, zip lining, and guided hiking are just some of the recreational trips you can try. Guests can also tour the fully operational Glade Creek Grist Mill and even purchase freshly ground cornmeal. Bill Clevlen is a road trip expert and travel content creator for radio and TV stations across the U.S. His stories have been published in major media outlets like The Los Angeles Times and is heard sharing travel tips and ideas on SiriusXM Radio. (The second wash is pretty spectacular, and if my good camera got any decent shots you'll see them.) 2023 Hipcamp, Inc. All rights reserved. Is Fredericksburg The Best Small Town In Texas? With fifteen different routes of varying lengths and difficulties, you'll easily find a trail that suits your and your traveling companions' abilities. The best time to visit for small crowds is at the very end of summer once school is back in session and during the week. Kitchen with range, refrigerator/freezer, and cookware, Cabins 3, 10, 17, 18 accommodate two people, Cabins 1, 4-9, 19 accommodate four people, Central heat and air conditioning (Cabins 16-20), Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park. An additional 15 cabins are located deeper into the park. Hikers must return along the same trail or by park roads. Economy cabins are of wood frame construction. Both cabins are above Glade Creek, though on opposite sides of the valley; 10 is past the mill, then down the hill on the Old Sewell Road. Babcock State Park If you are looking for an authentic camping experience in the "Mountain State," consider renting one of the Glade Creek Cabins in Babcock State Park. To find out how to opt out of our cookies or how our cookies work, please visit our Cookies Policy. To show our appreciation, were offering 10% off all lodge room, cabins and campsites. Awaken your a Planning a fun vacation or day trip doesn't have to be expensive. We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic. The first 13 are located along Glade Creek close to the parks famous grist mill, you can almost hear its wooden frame churn. The Battle of Carnifex Ferry is re-enacted here on odd-numbered years so be sure not to miss out. read more Paddleboats, rowboats and canoes are also available for rent at the Boley Lake Marina, between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day. As the sun sets. Boating is welcome at Babcock State Park, but proper license and stamps are required. It was named in honor of Edward V. Babcock.Completed in 1976 by combining parts of three other West Virginia grist . This program is about an hour or a tad longer. Veterans Salute Discount: Take 10% off your entire stay with offer code VETS10. Rest and relax at a world-class resort or head out for a waterfall hike. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 9 min to complete. Specific cabins (1-2, 9, 12-15, 17-18 and 24-27) are designated pet-friendly. This short trail is a mere half-mile, and while not very challenging, most people hike this path for the stunning views offered at the end. Lepp is back and live on stage at Beech Fork State Park, July 22, 2023. Danford Island Park Trail. He's the author of five travel books - The Ultimate American Music Bucket List, 100 Things To Do In America Before You Die, Driving Across America, An American Road Trip For Kids, and Finding The American Dream. About One of West Virginia's most iconic locations, Babcock State Park has 4,127 acres of stunning scenery. You can learn more about Babcock State Park camping through their website. Best Family Activities in Babcock State Park. Game courts are set up for horseshoes, volleyball, tennis and basketball from mid-April to the end of October for a nominal fee. All cabins have Wi-Fi, modern appliances and are stocked with cooking utensils, dishes, flatware, bed linens, and bath towels. The cabin included a heating/air-conditioning unit which I only used at night to sleep. The second half of the trail is very steep and is a difficult climb, connecting to the Ridge Top Trail.