Babcock State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Nestled in the rolling hills of West Virginia near the town of Clifton is Babcock State Park. Known mainly for the Glade Creek Grist Mill, an often-photographed icon, it also offers cabins, a campground, a lake, and picnic shelters.
What was once a location for Civilian Conservation Corps camps evolved into Babcock State Park. At one period, there were over 500 mills in the state. The park's Glade Creek Grist Mill is a re-creation of a previous mill meant to honor that history. It combines parts from three other historic mills found in different areas of West Virginia.
Nearby places of interest include the New River Gorge National Park, one of the newest and most visited national parks in the United States. The New River Gorge Bridge is the home of West Virginia's largest single-day festival, Bridge Day. This extreme sports event is held annually in October. During this event, spectators watch from the bridge as hundreds of BASE jumpers descend into the gorge.
Just over 20 miles away from the park is Summersville Lake. Because of the lake's clean, clear water, it is referred to by locals as the "Little Bahamas of the East." Additional swimming, boating, and fishing opportunities are available here.
The educational Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine is a 45-minute drive northeast. This attraction highlights the region's historic connection to the coal industry. You can tour a coal mine, coal camp, museum, and gift shop. Visitors will learn about the lives of local coal miners and meet veteran miners on the tour.
This part of West Virginia experiences all four seasons, with longer, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. The weather during the spring and fall is full of partly cloudy days and more moderate temperatures.
Nearby Cities:
Lewisburg, WV
Beckley, WV
Charleston, WV
Bluefield, WV
Spring 28-71 F
Summer 53-80 F
Fall 31-74 F
Winter 17-43 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Babcock State Park
Campground Accommodations
Babcock State Park Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes, dogs and cats only
Max RV length: 50 feet
Other amenities: Bathhouse, laundry, water fill-up stations, sewage facilities, firewood, and ice
Babcock State Park Campground
Take in the mountain vistas and breathe in fresh mountain air by staying on-site at Babcock State Park. Open from late April through October, the campground has 52 camping sites — 28 with electric, 24 non-electric — with quick access to the rest of the park. Rates are $29 per night with electrical hookup.
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wifi: Yes
Pet friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Batthouse, laundromat, picnic tables, fire pit, gift shop, ice and firewood for sale, dumping station
Eagle’s Nest Campground
Located in Beckley, about 10 miles from the park, this campground offers RV camping sites with full hookups available. Surrounded by green fields and mountain views, this campsite offers a peaceful respite after a long day of adventure. Call ahead for rates at 804-240-8149.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wifi: N/A
Pet friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Bathhouse, laundromat, arcade
What to Do at
Babcock State Park
For those who love outdoor adventures, this area offers prime hiking, fishing, mountain biking, zip-lining, and whitewater rafting opportunities.
The famous Glade Creek Grist Mill, one of the most photographed mills in the world, is here. It is still operating and grinding corn. Visitors can purchase cornmeal from the mill in the gift shop.
Inside Babcock State Park
Babcock State Park is a highly sought-after destination for photographers and artists who want to capture the park’s natural beauty and landscapes, including the iconic Glade Creek Grist Mill. Aside from its photogenic properties, visitors can enter the mill to learn more about the West Virginia’s milling history and purchase freshly ground cornmeal. The park’s Nature Center sponsors various programming from Memorial Day through Labor Day, including guided nature walks, outdoor movies, sports events, and geocaching.
Visitors can check out other recreational activities including:
Hiking and Mountain Biking - Explore the park through any of its 15 multi-use trails of varying length and intensity, from easy walks to steep climbs. Take the Lake View Trail for an easy loop around the Boley Lake or the more challenging Ridge Top Trail that follows along the edge of the ridge and offers some of the best views in the park. All gravel and paved roads are open for riders.
Swimming and Boating - Head to Boley Lake for a fun afternoon in the water. Jump in the water to cool off, head out on the lake in a canoe, or soak up the sunshine on the shore. Equipment rentals are available for rowboats, canoes, and paddle boats.
Fishing
Visitors to the park can fish at Boley Lake and Glade Creek. People typically catch trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish here. A West Virginia fishing license is required and can be purchased online. Fishing is also available nearby in the New River and in Summersville Lake. For those looking for a guided experience, local outfitters offer a variety of fishing trips.
Geocaching
Babcock has two cache sites for geocaching. There is Wi-Fi service in the park, and cell service is usually available for GPS access.
Nature Watching
The park hosts Birds & Blooms Walks, where participants go on a 2-mile hike along Glade Creek and hear songs of Black-throated Blue Warblers. Park naturalists hold nature tours in the summer.
Stargazing
The park's minimal artificial light makes it an optimal night stargazing spot. About 70 miles from Babcock State Park is Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park. It has been designated an official Dark Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association and is one of only three such areas in the state.
Flora and Fauna
Rhododendrons, wildflowers, and mountain laurels are abundant in the park. Residential wildlife includes raccoons, squirrels, foxes, deer, and turkeys.
Hiking
Hiking over the rugged terrain is a popular activity in the park. Over 20 miles of trails at all levels are within the park. Both beginners and experts can access courses suitable to their abilities. Hikers can pick up a trail guide at the park office to plan their hike.
Boating
Visitors can rent paddleboats, rowboats, and canoes at the marina during peak season. Boats with motors, kayaks, and canoes are welcome in the park's Boley Lake, though there is no boat launch available. For an adventurous trip in the water, guests can also try whitewater rafting on the New or Gauley rivers nearby.
Biking
Biking is permitted on all roads in the park and some selected trails. Mountain bike rentals and guided trips are available from local outfitters nearby in the New River Gorge National Park.
How to Get to
Babcock State Park
You can get to the park by taking one of the major interstates going through the state, I-77 or I-64, and using WV Route 41 to get to the park.
Entering Babcock State Park
The parking is free, and there is no park entry fee.
Whether you enjoy the adventurous thrills of aquatic sports or mountain biking, there's something for everyone to enjoy at Babcock State Park. Park rangers and local tour guides offer led experiences, though there's plenty to explore on your own as well.
Frequently Asked Questions About Babcock State Park
The best time of year to visit is during the summer when the mill is open and the nature tours are available, or in the fall for the colorful foliage.
Many types of wildlife wander through the area, including birds, bobcats, deer, squirrels, black bears, and turkeys.
Yes, there are 52 sites available at the official park campground.
Although reservations are not required, the campground fills up quickly. Therefore, you should consider making reservations. The sites with electric hookups are $45 per night, and all other sites cost $35 per night.
Yes, leashed dogs and cats are allowed in the state park. These are the only pets permitted in the park.