Island in the Sky Trail

Hidden deep in the Appalachian Mountains near the New River Gorge sits an extremely photogenic grist mill. A recreation of the original mills that dotted West Virginia, Glade Creek Grist Mill was completed in 1976 at Babcock SP. Built fully operational from the parts of 3 other WV mills, it was placed near the site of the former Cooper's Mill.Fall is the ideal time for photographing the park, b...

To reach the trailhead, park at the main parking area near Glade Creek Grist Mill. Cross the bridge toward the grist mill, and the trailhead is directly behind the mill. Even though the Island in the Sky trail is only a mile long out and back, it is lined almost the whole way with rhododendron bushes that, at times, canopy over the trail. The trail leads passed the base of the rock cliffs that ...

The skyline trail is a 4 mile out and back trail that allows you to start from either end. I prefer to start from the lower trail head near Cabin 5. To get to this trailhead: enter the park, and follow the narrow road the leads to cabins 1-6. Drive down the road until you reach cabin 5, and find a place to pull off the road and park. The trailhead will be on your righthand side. If you do not l...

Babcock State Park is one of 36 state parks in West Virginia and is located just Southeast of Fayetteville, WV.  Babcock State Park has over 4,000 acres, making it a great place to camp while you explore the beautiful area.  The campground has 51 campsites for tents and is open from the last weekend in April through October 31.  The campground is dog friendly, making it ideal to bring the whole...

The Beauty Mountain Trail Head is located less than 10 miles form Fayetteville, WV.  To reach the trail head, you will have to travel down some very narrow roads, and I recommend going old school and printing out the directions because cell service in the area is not the best.  Once at the trail head, park along the side of the road; there is no formal parking area.  There is also no sign marki...

**The road to Nuttallburg is part gravel and only wide enough for one car. Take caution driving along this road-you may have to back up some if you meet another car. Nuttallburg is an old coal mining town that once thrived in the early 1900's, but fell into ruin and then was restored by the National Park Service in the early 2000's. Starting from the parking lot, take the Tipple Trail (0.6 mile...