And within a 20-minute drive is the New River, which provides more fishing opportunities. Hunting is not permitted in Babcock State Park. It's pretty much like Cabin 3, where we stayed, like these folks, in 2001--except it has fewer steps (38, by my count). 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. PDF Babcock - West Virginia State Parks BBB Start with Trust . 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. Less than three hours outside Roanoke, this stretch of West Virginia is unlike anything youve ever seen before. Cabins at Babcock - West Virginia State Parks 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. 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. While not suitable for very young children, older kids will love the adventure. 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 Coopers Mill, which once stood on the grounds. See trail descriptions below. Only negative was no mirror in front of the sink, it was awkwardly located over the toilet for whatever reason. The first 13 are located along Glade Creek close to the park's famous grist mill, you can almost hear its wooden frame churn. 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. Drones may not be flown over buildings or the parking area, and must stay a minimum of 20 feet away from the mill. These rustic cabins are a perfect base from which you can explore the park's natural beauty. 2023 Hipcamp, Inc. All rights reserved. Check in and check out was easy took all of three minutes to sign the papers and get the keys. They offer whitewater rafting, zip lines, rock climbing/rappelling, mountain biking, Timber Trek (obstacle course in the trees), paint ball, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking and much more. With a stay in Babcock State Park cabins, opportunities for families to enjoy this diverse nature reserve are in abundance. Keep in mind the cabins book very quickly especially in the fall months. Vacation cabins at Babcock State Park are modern cabins with heat air conditioning, gas fireplaces, television, microwaves, and fully equipped kitchens, linens, and relaxed settings. So while traditional camping is absolutely available at Babcock State Park, so are a range of cabins that still give you most of that camping experience thats so good for your mental health especially now. They feature electric, water, a fully equipped kitchen, bunk bed combined living/sleeping area, linens, bathrooms with showers and an outside grill. Is Fredericksburg The Best Small Town In Texas? Bil Lepp Live! : Beech Fork State Park - West Virginia State Parks Check-in is after 4 p.m., and check-out is by 10 a.m. The mill and surrounding scenery provide the perfect backdrop for beautiful photos. Just use code VETS10 when you make your reservation and present a valid military ID at check in. Babcock State Park has two cache sites for the technological scavenger hunt known as geocaching. Just use code VETS10 when you make your reservation and present a valid military ID at check in. 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 exterior surrounding lights are also minimal making it great for looking at the stars and really being out in the wilderness. View the live stream of the Glade Creek Grist Mill. The Glade Creek Grist Mill, a reproduction of the historic Cooper's Mill that formerly existed on the property, is the park's most famous feature. The trail follows a beautiful hollow on the west side of the service road and main park road and has a few steep sections. Blooming rhododendrons. Known as Coopers Mill, it stood on the present location of the parks administration building parking lot. I never bumped my head. Babcock State Park offers 28 cabins for vacation rentals. The campground is open the third Friday in April until the fourth Monday in October, weather permitting. The most amazing thing was that each cabin had internet connection. Unfortunately, your browser is outdated. The premise consists of using your phone's GPS to put a modern twist on the classic outdoor pursuit of scavenger hunting. They included a bundle of wood when I arrived though I didnt feel like starting a fire. 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. The trailheads are at the service road between the campground and economy cabins and on Sewell Road approximately 0.75 mile below Cabin 13. There are plenty of activities that you can find all across the state wit Head to West Virginia this spring and find an Almost Heaven atmosphere full of sunny skies and blushing blooms awaiting you. The first 13 are located along Glade Creek close to the parks famous grist mill, you can almost hear its wooden frame churn. The cabin is 6 miles from Adventures on the Gorge (AOTG). We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic. 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 State Park includes 4,127 acres of rugged and beautiful adventure. West Virginia State Parks thanks you for your service. Amenities include fully equipped kitchens, linen service, central heat and air conditioning, gas or wood fireplace and an outside grill. The parking spur is on the right side of the road, with the trailhead on the left. Local outfitters offer trips and tours for every ability and age. Babcock State Park, one of the oldest parks in West Virginia, is located within the boundaries of New River Gorge National River. *Offer is not available at Stonewall Resort State Park. Hit the water for a nice relaxing day spent soaking up the sunshine. The trailheads to this mostly level loop around Boley Lake are at the lake parking lot or at the gate above the grist mill. The trailhead is shared with the Ridge Top Trail parking area along Manns Creek Road. Lepp is back and live on stage at Beech Fork State Park, July 22, 2023. Early morning photos of this gem are breathtaking especially in Autumn. It had a set of bunk beds which I hadnt seen since I was in grade school. Granted, it wasnt super high speed but for being in the middle of the woods to check a quick e-mail or look up something now and then it was perfect. The original camp buildings are gone today, but Babcock's Campground is located at the former site of Camp Lee. There are two spots within the park which are equipped with the infrastructure for geocaching. It follows along the crest of a ridge at some of the highest elevations at the park. Other help included a skilled stonemason foreman who supervised the parks stone quarry and work on the administration building. Sleepy Hollow State Park, located in Clinton County 20 minutes north of Lansing, contains more than 2,600 acres and is situated on Price Road off from US-27 near St. Johns and Laingsburg. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 9 min to complete. There are no events scheduled at this time. The Glade Creek Grist Mill at Babcock is a new mill that was completed in 1976. The park features the Patterson House Museum and three overlooks of the Gauley River. Nature works her magic every autumn in West Virginia. Danford Island Park Trail. The trail begins at the former swimming pool parking lot and connects to the Wilderness Trail. The 4,127 acres of breathtaking nature in Babcock State Park make it one of West Virginia's most recognisable sites. There was a tiny screened in porch which would have been better if it were even just slightly larger. The peace and solitude of Almost Heaven is just an overnight stay away. Wildflower hikes. Economy cabins close for the season October 31. The Natural Arch is located approximately 75 yards from the parking area associated with Mountain Heath Trail. Danford Island Park Trail | Map, Guide - Dimondale, MI | AllTrails Take in stunning views of the iconic Glade Creek Grist Mill year-round by viewing our live stream of the mill. Motors must be electric, and no boat launch area is available. Vacation cabins at Babcock State Park are modern cabins with heat air conditioning, gas fireplaces, television, microwaves, and fully equipped kitchens, linens, and relaxed settings. Lake Ovid, covering 410-acres, was developed . 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. . This is not a loop trail, so return along the same route or walk the Camp Washington Carver Road back to the campground. 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. Witness Almost Heaven's natural beauty Set out for the adventure of a lifetime and explore some of the best the Metro Valley has to offer on a mountain bike. An additional 15 cabins are located deeper into the park. Glamping Hub is designed for modern browsers. The trail has a fairly steep downhill section connecting to the Old Pond Trail. Its impressive claim to fame is being the very first lodge in the West Virginia State Parks System. There are plenty of wonderful trails to check out when you're staying in nearby Babcock State Park cabins. The Glade Creek Grist Mill closes for the season on the last Sunday in October. Visitors can enjoy hiking the many trails through the mountains, canyons and along the river. All paved and gravel roads at Babcock are open for riders. Boating is welcome at Babcock State Park, but proper license and stamps are required. Suitable for biking. Suitable for mountain biking. Review. Cabins 14 and 15 ( View Map) Cabin 14 has four bedrooms and can accommodate eight people. Whichever cabin you stay in, you can be sure to have a quiet place to relax and unwind. The trailheads are at the grist mill and at a small parking lot in the sharp curve along the road to Boley Lake. Cabin 14 has four bedrooms and can accommodate eight people. This is Cabin 10 at West Virginia's Babcock State Park. One of West Virginias most iconic locations, Babcock State Park has 4,127 acres of stunning scenery. The park is one of the most photographed spots in the state and has some of the best views. 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. This is a popular trail for hiking and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Best Camping in and Near Babcock State Park Babcock State Park - Almost Heaven - West Virginia - WV Tourism 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. Now before we continue, let me clarify that camping for me is not putting up a tent, rolling out a sleeping bag, and trying to make scrambled eggs in the morning over a campfire. To be completely honest it may be hard for me to come up with many cons. Picnic area restrooms and certain area gates close for the season Oct. 31. The trailhead is 300 yards north of the main intersection on the road leading to the Manns Creek picnic area. Within the park are log cabin accommodations, hiking trails, a stable, a lake for fishing and boating, and campsites. Suitable for biking. Babcock State Park (Clifftop) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go A valid military ID must be presented at check in. (The second wash is pretty spectacular, and if my good camera got any decent shots you'll see them.) It was a really great experience all the way around. Camping in West Virginia's Babcock State Park | Bill On The Road A spur from the grist mill gate is 0.5 mile, uphill and moderately difficult. Rest and relax at a world-class resort or head out for a waterfall hike. A river winds its way through the woods and fields of the park and Lake Ovid is nestled in the middle of it all. Witness the beauty of spring and summer accompanied by the warm hospitality and southern charm of an authentic mountain town. It was named in honor of Edward V. Babcock.Completed in 1976 by combining parts of three other West Virginia grist . The trail has some uphill sections from either starting point. Suitable for biking. His humorous tales curl the lips on the grumpiest of people. Accepts major credit cards. Explore wide open spaces with plenty of room to roam. It accommodates tents or trailers and has a central bathhouse with coin-operated laundry, two water fill-up stations and two sewage facilities, firewood and ice are available for purchase, WiFi is available and