About This Park
One of West Virginia’s most iconic locations, Babcock State Park has 4,127 acres of stunning scenery. Located 20 miles southeast of the New River Gorge Bridge, the park is most known for the Glade Creek Grist Mill, a fully functional replica of the original Cooper’s Mill, which once stood on the grounds. Other attractions include recreational activities like hiking, fishing and mountain biking, as well as whitewater rafting nearby in the New River Gorge.
Nature and landscape photographers who wish to fly a drone near the Glade Creek Grist Mill, are required to check in at the park office in advance. The use of drones is permitted, but only from 1-3 p.m., daily. Check in at the park office for drone use at other times. Drones may not be flown over buildings or the parking area, and must stay a minimum of 20 feet away from the mill.
The Glade Creek Grist Mill closes for the season on the last Sunday in October. Picnic area restrooms and certain area gates close for the season Oct. 31.
Contact
- Phone: 304-438-3004
- Email: dnrbabcock@wv.gov
- Address: 486 Babcock Road, Clifftop, WV 25831
History
In the 1930s, two CCC camps located in Clifftop, Camp Beaver and Camp Lee became the site of what is now known as Babcock State Park. The original camp buildings are gone today, but Babcock’s Campground is located at the former site of Camp Lee. All plans for the administration building, cabins, and other work were drawn up by park staff at the park and approved by the Department of the Interior. The camps at Babcock, Watoga, Cacapon, Lost River, and Oglebay were operated by the Civilian Commission of West Virginia in cooperation with the National Park Service of the Department of the Interior. Other help included a skilled stonemason foreman who supervised the park’s stone quarry and work on the administration building.
The Glade Creek Grist Mill at Babcock is a new mill that was completed in 1976. Fully operable, this mill was built as a re-creation of a previous one that once 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. Of special interest, the mill was created by combining parts and pieces from three mills which once dotted the state. The basic structure of the mill came from the Stoney Creek Grist Mill which dates back to 1890. After an accidental fire destroyed the Spring Run Grist Mill near Petersburg, Grant County, only the overshot water wheel could be salvaged. Other parts for the mill came from the Onego Grist Mill near Seneca Rocks in Pendleton County. 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. 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 miller’s ear.
Webcam
Take in stunning views of the iconic Glade Creek Grist Mill year-round by viewing our live stream of the mill. The Glade Creek Grist Mill is a fully functional replica of the original Cooper’s Mill, which once stood on the grounds. The mill and surrounding scenery provide the perfect backdrop for beautiful photos.
Trails
Download Park Trail MapConnector Trail
Island-In-The-Sky Trail
Lake View Trail
Manns Creek Gorge Trail
Mountain Heath Trail
The Natural Arch
Narrow Gauge Trail
North Slope Trail
Old Pond Trail
Ridge Top Trail
Rocky Trail
Short Cut Trail
Skyline Trail
Triple Creek Trail
Twin Hollow Trail
Wilderness Trail
Nearby Attractions
Adventures on the Gorge
This popular New River Gorge resort has been a family favorite since 1972. Whitewater rafting, zip lining, and guided hiking are just some of the recreational trips you can try.
Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park
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. The park features the Patterson House Museum and three overlooks of the Gauley River. The Battle of Carnifex Ferry is re-enacted here on odd-numbered years so be sure not to miss out.
Hawks Nest State Park
This 276-acre park with a lodge and restaurant is known for its scenic overlooks of the New River Gorge and exciting transportation. Visitors can ride the aerial tramway to the bottom of the gorge and ride a jetboat to the base of the New River Gorge Bridge. How’s that for beating traffic?
Summersville Lake
Plunge into the clearest water east of the Mississippi. 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. It’s also West Virginia’s largest lake, with 60 miles of shoreline.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
This park encompasses more than 70,000 acres of land along the New River — one of the oldest rivers in North America. The rugged mountains were once home to several coal mining camps, and some historical artifacts and buildings remain. Recreational opportunities include whitewater rafting, fishing, hiking and rock climbing.