Babcock offers chance to slow down
By Steve Keenan , The Register-Herald
Babcock State Park , now covering 4,127 acres within the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve , opened in July 1937 . Amenities / attractions include the famed Glade Creek Grist Mill , a popular destination for photographers and visitors in general that is open through October .
Via the West Virginia Department of Tourism website : “ The Glade Creek Grist Mill is a new mill that was completed in 1976 at Babcock . Fully operable , this mill was built as a re-creation of one that ground grain on Glade Creek long before Babcock became a state park . Known as Cooper ’ s Mill , it stood on the present location of the park ’ s administration building parking lot .” The mill remains active , according to Babcock Superintendent Mike Foster .
Other Babcock attractions include Boley Lake , which has paddle boats beginning Memorial Day weekend , and the lake — and local streams — also offer fishing , including trout stocked periodically by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources .
Babcock offers 30 miles of hiking trails , eight trails for biking , two picnic areas ( Sugar Camp Run and Manns Creek ), two overlooks , a gift shop , a tennis and basketball court , two shelters available for rent , and several other first-come , first-serve shelters .
There are 28 total cabins for rent as available . There is a minimum two-night stay for weekends . Cabins can be rented two years in advance .
There is a 52-unit campground , 28 sites with electric hookups , four of which are handicap-accessible , and 24 non-electric sites . It accommodates tents or trailers and has a central bathhouse with coin-operated laundry . The campground is open spring through fall , weather permitting .
Contact — For more information , call 1-304-438- 3004 or visit https :// wvstateparks . com / park / babcockstate-park /
A recommendation : Stop by the Freefolk Brewery Taproom in Fayetteville for an outstanding selection of craft beers , good music and the occasional food truck . Also , hang out with the dogs in an outdoor setting . This is a pet friendly establishment – indoors and out .
Picture this . The Glade Creek Grist Mill , which is active , is one of th
Jenny Harnish , The Register-Herald
Stay the night . A 52-unit campground is open spring through fall , weather permitting ; 28 sites have electric hookups , four of which are accessible . Cabins , sleeping four to eight , are listed as vacation cabins , legacy cabins and economy cabins . All have Wi-Fi , modern appliances and are stocked with cooking utensils , dishes , flatware , bed linens and bath towels . Specific cabins are designated pet-friendly .
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