Babcock State Park “Babcock State Park offers you 4,127-acres of serene, yet rugged beauty, replete with waterfalls, a fast flowing trout stream in a boulder strewn canyon, and mountainous vistas to be viewed from several scenic overlooks.” That’s how the brochure starts out, and every bit is true. This is one of the most beautiful parks in the country. Visit the park from late spring through early summer and you’ll be treated to a colorful display of wildflowers, especially two varieties of rhododendron. The rustic administration building offers a good starting point for a tour of the park. A restaurant and commissary are located in this building as well as the park headquarters. Directly across the stream from the admin building parking lot is the Glade Creek Grist Mill, one of the most photographed spots in the state park system. Take the “Island in the Sky” trail to get a bird’s eye view of the gorge where the mill and headquarters are located. After the hike, relax and catch your breath at the Glade Creek Grist Mill. It is a “new” mill that was completed in 1976. Fully operational, the mill was created by combining parts and pieces from several old mills which once dotted the state. 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 and buckwheat flour which park guests may purchase.
After hiking the trail and visiting the mill you’ll find plenty of other recreational opportunities to round out your day. The park recreation area features volleyball and tennis courts, badminton, croquet, basketball, shuffleboard, horseshoes and ping pong. A nominal fee is charged for all recreational facilities. Adjacent to the recreation area, you will find plenty of outdoor grills, picnic tables and playgrounds. Paddle and row boats are available for rent at the marina on Babcock’s 19-acre Boley Lake. Good fishing can be found in the lake as well as in the streams running through the park. There is a modern pool for swimming. Throughout the summer, a park naturalist conducts nature tours, slide and movie presentations, special sports activities and get-togethers. Hikers can explore over 20 miles of trails that wind through the park. Guided horseback rides are offered at the park stables during the summer season, as well as pony rides for youngsters. Back to Day Trips Main Page |
