Ultimate Babcock State Park Hiking Guide: How to Visit for 1 Day

Have you seen the beautiful photos of the Glade Creek Grist Mill? This is where you can find it! If you are exploring the nearby New River Gorge National Park, you can’t miss a trip to Babcock State Park.

Our post below on Babcock State Park includes a visit to the Glade Creek Grist Mill. Then, spend the rest of the afternoon at Babcock State Park hiking some of the wonderful trails or enjoying some time out on the lake. This post is part of our epic 6-day trip in New River Gorge.

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Need to Know Info

• Babcock State Park is FREE to visit!
• If you plan to go in the fall, Glade Creek Grist Mill closes for the season on the last Sunday in October.
• Glade Creek Grist Mill is a popular photography spot. Drone use at the Glade Creek Grist Mill is permitted during certain times (usually 1-3 pm). Check with the park office to be sure.

Weather and Safety At Babcock State Park

• Cell phone coverage is fairly good here. We did encounter service issues in some of the more remote areas of the park.
• Carry plenty of snacks and water. Carry at least 1 liter of water for every 5 miles you are hiking. We recommend investing in a reusable water bladder.
• Pack PB&J and other snacks to eat around lunchtime on the trails. Snack time is the best time!
• Always carry a first aid kit, and make a plan to tell at least one person where you plan to be each day in case something happens.
• Reduce your risk by preparing and having the proper gear for all hikes you plan to complete. This means good shoes and proper hiking attire. No flip-flops!
• Be weather aware.

Animal Safety at Babcock State Park

• Babcock State Park is home to many animals, including foxes, chipmunks, deer, black bears (rare), eagles, fish, snakes, and more. The park is home to copperhead and timber rattlesnakes. Both are venomous, however, these snakes are not usually aggressive unless you provoke them.
• Ticks are present in the park. Always complete a tick check after hiking! More information on types of ticks is located here. Tick-borne illness can be serious. Learn how to protect yourself and your family here.
• Mosquitoes will also be present in the warmer months. Invest in some good bug spray to make your time outdoors more enjoyable.

Glade Creek Grist Mill

From the Fayetteville area, Babcock State Park is just under 30 minutes away by car. Head to the Babcock State Park office to find the parking lot and the Glade Creek Grist Mill. The Glade Creek Grist Mill is one of the most photographed spots in West Virginia. It is still in operation today and if you time it right, you can take a tour of the mill to see how cornmeal is made.

If you can time your trip here during the fall months when the leaves are changing, this is truly a photographer’s dream. There are multiple vantage points here at the Glade Creek Grist Mill. Walk down the path or up on the rocks to get some of the best views around.

After you visit the mill, get ready for some hiking. The following hikes will lead you in a 5-mile loop around Babcock State Park, the lake, and back around to the parking lot. This loop does follow the road at one point, so just be aware that you will need to walk on the road if you follow this loop. That being said, the road is not busy. At least it wasn’t when we were there.

⛺ Book a stay at the top-rated Cantrell Ultimate Rafting

Islands in the Sky Trail – strenuous – 0.4 miles, one-way

Babcock State Park hiking trails are some of the best around the area. First up is the Islands in the Sky Trail. This trail is short, but definitely more strenuous compared to the others in the park. There are some very steep, rocky sections with steep drop-offs on the sides.

In some sections, you may need to use all 4s as some rock scrambling is required. This is a very fun hike, but may be difficult if you have young children. The hike ends along the road where you’ll link up to the next trail, the Wilderness Trail.

Wilderness Trail – 1.4 miles – moderate, one-way

Once you cross the road from the Islands in the Sky Trail, the Wilderness Trail is up next. This trail is much easier than the last one. It’s wide and well-traveled. There are some stream crossings along this trail, but you will not have a problem unless there has been excessive rainfall.

Though this trail is well-traveled, you may come across some fallen trees during your hike. Be on the lookout for wildlife and wildflowers. This trail eventually links up to the Triple Creek Trail at 1.4 miles. Here, take a left onto this trail to continue the loop.

Triple Creek Trail – 1 mile – moderate, one-way

Your Babcock State Park hiking adventure continues on the Triple Creek Trail. Take this 1-mile trail back toward Boley Lake. Likewise, this trail is also well-traveled and wide. There may be a few crossings here as well, but likely you’ll only encounter muddy conditions.

Wind your way through the tall forest and make your way to another parking area of Babcock State Park. Once you arrive at the parking area, walk out to the road and take a left. Eventually, you’ll reach another service road that will lead you to the docks and the Boley Lake Marina. This is about a 0.5-mile trek.

Paddleboats, rowboats, and canoes are available for rent at the marina between Memorial Day and Labor Day. This is also a great place to have lunch or a quick snack before continuing on the Lake View Trail.

➡️ Looking to get out on the New River? Book a whitewater rafting tour on the New River here!

Lake View Trail – 0.5-1.5 miles – easy, one-way

Finally, take a hike around Boley Lake to finish out your day at Babcock State Park. There are two options here, starting at the marina. If you are short on time, take the trail east from the marina. This route is about 0.5 miles, but you won’t see much of the lake as you will be cutting the hike short to return to the Glade Creek Grist Mill and parking lot.

The longer 1.5-mile trail starts by heading west from the marina, hiking past it. The Lake View Trail circles the entire lake, offering great views and the chance to see more wildlife. Parts of this trail go through dark, dense areas of trees and shrubs, making for a unique hike. Parts of this trail may be overgrown, so be sure you complete a tick check once you finish.

Further, if the water levels in the lake are high, you may need to hike through some sections of the lake that could be a few inches deep. Follow the trail around the lake until you reach the junction of a trail that will lead you back to the parking area. This is located on the eastern side of the lake. Take the trail down the hill and back to the Glade Creek Grist Mill.

Where to Stay

🛏️ Book your stay in nearby Fayetteville, WV. This is a perfect location to use as your home base while exploring New River Gorge National Park.

• Quality Inn New River – run of the mill chain hotel offering free breakfast & a best seller. Outdoor pool on site.
• The Historic Morris Harvey House Bed and Breakfast – breakfast included! Close to downtown Fayetteville, this mansion is on the Register of Historic Places.
• Cantrell Ultimate Rafting – choose from tent camping, RV hookups, cabins, and bungalows. Walking distance to the village of Fayetteville and five minutes from the New River Gorge Bridge.
• Rifrafters Campground – RV sites, tent camping, cabins. Pet friendly.
• Check out the options on Vrbo as well!

Final Thoughts

We really enjoyed our Babcock State Park hiking adventure. The 5-mile loop we completed was a great way to spend the late morning and afternoon during our final day in the New River Gorge area.

There are many more trails here to be explored, so spend as much time here as you’d like. If you finish the hike early, we recommend driving 40 minutes on scenic Route 60 to visit Cathedral Falls. This is one last waterfall in the New River Gorge area that can’t be missed!

➡️Read next: Take a thrilling walk under the New River Gorge Bridge!