Overnight Trip to Babcock State Park

I’ve been wanting to get down to Babcock State Park this fall and finally was able to squeeze in a quick mid-week trip & overnight. Here is the itinerary - great balance of things to do and see in the New River-Greenbrier Valley region.

* Jumped out for a view at Long Point Overlook

* Passed Summersville Dam

* Visited Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park and 3 overlooks on a short hike of Patterson Trail

* Drove along Fayette Station Road (listened to audio tour on this link on the way which gave us more context and history) to see the New River Gorge Bridge from below

* Lunch at Wood Iron Eatery in Fayetteville - neat little coffee / breakfast / lunch spot

* Pulled over to see Dunloup Creek Falls (and a neat swing by the water)

* Headed down the road to abandoned town of Thurmond (I downloaded some notes and tidbits about each of the buildings and sites since the depot isn’t open this time of year)

* Sipped a beer flight at Bridge Brew Works

* Grabbed dinner from The Take Out - sushi & rice bowls on way to check into cabin at Babcock State Park and relax by the fire

Next morning after breakfast, packed up and went to the Glade Creek Grist Mill first

* Hiked up to Island-in-the-Sky

* Found the Swinging Bridge in between the cabins

* Wandered around the Lake View Trail on Boley Lake

* Lunch at The Handle Bar + Kitchen Bike Farm and fed / pet the goats

* Quick stop at the Almost Heaven swing at Stonewall Resort (behind the resort lodge overlooking the lake)

Not sure which was my favorite as each stop had different and interesting aspects but the Grist Mill and waterfall is most certainly worth the trip from anywhere you are traveling from.