3 Magical Spots You Didn’t Know Existed in Babcock State Park

Babcock State Park is one of West Virginia’s most popular state parks. Known for its iconic Glade Creek Grist Mill, nearly everyone who visits heads straight to the grist mill to snap that famous photo, but there are plenty of hidden spots in Babcock State Park that are worthy of your time. Of course, the 4,127-acre state park offers much more than just the grist mill, and today we’re exploring some of the secret places in Babcock State Park that will take you off the beaten path and explore a side of the park few ever venture to.

3 Hidden Spots You Didn’t Know Existed in Babcock State Park

Boating

Renting a boat and taking on an aquatic adventure is one of the best things to do at Babcock State Park. Paddleboats, rowboats, and canoes are available to rent at the Boley Lake Marina from Memorial Day until Labor Day. On a beautiful day, there’s just nothing better! And what a fabulous way to experience Babcock State Park from an entirely new perspective.

Old Pond Trail

This 1.5-mile trail is practically perfect for beginner hikers. The trailheads are at the parking lot for the Natural Arch and the gate before the intersection to the Manns Creek overlook. There are a few trails you can connect to if you want a longer hike, and we’d recommend the Narrow Gauge Trail. This will make a (roughly) 6.5-mile loop. These trails are great for bikers, too!

Geocaching

If you haven’t jumped on the Geocache craze yet, what are you doing? This real-life scavenger hunt is equally addictive and thrilling, and once you find your first Geocache, you’ll be hooked. There are three Geocaches at Babcock State Park, but we would never want to reveal them (that’s half the fun!). We can tell you the whereabouts of two of them: the Old Stone Building and the Glade Creek Waterfall.  These geocaches are secret places in Babcock State Park, so when you find them, keep their locations to yourself so that other geocachers can have the same experience. The third geocache might be hinted at in the photo above.

Tips for Exploring Babcock State Park Beyond the Crowds

Since Babcock State Park is located just 20 miles away from the New River Gorge Bridge, it’s popular for travelers to lump it all together on a weekend excursion. Obviously, West Virginia’s most popular attractions are going to draw crowds, but there are some tips to help explore Babcock State Park without the crowds:

• Visit early in the morning
• Visit on a weekday 
• Avoid weekends and holidays

I know setting an early alarm to beat the crowds might feel excessive, but it’ll be worth it when you experience the quiet that comes with early bird adventures. You might be blessed with some moody fog that adds an extra layer to your photographs, or even catch wildlife wandering through the woods on the hunt for breakfast. 

For the ultimate experience, consider renting a campsite at Babcock State Park. The campground is open from late April through October, with more than 50 campsites and 28 cabins available. Visit the official website for Babcock State Park to learn more and start booking your adventure today. Read on to check out our ultimate guide for exploring Babcock State Park.