Parks

Babcock State Park  |  Carnifex Ferry State Park
Monongahela National Forest  |  Nicholas County Veterans' Memorial Park

Babcock State Park

Prepared by WV Division of Natural Resources
The serene, yet rugged, beauty of Babcock is marked by Glade Creek, a fast-flowing mountain trout stream replete with waterfalls, in a canyon strewn with massive boulders. Located on this stream, near its original site, is the Glade Creek Grist Mill, a very popular spot for photographers. Reconstructed from portions of old mills from throughout the state, this fully operable mill offers freshly ground cornmeal, buckwheat and whole wheat flour to park guests.

A variety of accommodations are available for guests, including 26 cabins in two styles and a 51-site campground with 27 electric hookups. Among Babcock’s recreational features are a swimming pool, horseback riding, extensive hiking and cross-country ski trails, a seasonal interpretive program and Boley Lake, a 19-acre impoundment for boating and fishing. Adjacent to the park, Camp Washington Carver offers a wide range of weekend dinner theater productions, concerts, dances and doo-wop nights that further enhance Babcock’s recreational program. This park’s mountainous vistas and its accessibility to the more urban areas of the state make it an ideal spot for a relaxing vacation.

Carnifex Ferry State Park

Located just minutes from Summersville Lake, on the rim of the Gauley River canyon, is the Carnifex Ferry Battlefield site. Step back in time to September 10, 1861 and visit the place where Confederate Brigadier General Floyd retreated from Union Brigadier General Rosecrans. While here, you may want to reserve one of the four shelters, and play horseshoes, volleyball, softball or simply have a grilled picnic lunch with your family and friends. Every other year in September there are battle reenactments with living history demonstrations. Artifacts from the Battle, available for viewing at the Henry Patterson House Museum is another educational experience on site. At Carnifex Ferry, you have access to over 156 acres of land which provide hiking, and three overlooks of the Gauley River.

The Patterson House, located between Union and Confederate lines during the battle of Carnifex Ferry. After restoration to its original condition, the house serves as a museum containing civil war items of the era and a large map of the battle area indicating both Union and Confederate lines and movements.

Carnifex Ferry Battlefield is an official Civil War Discovery Trail site. The Civil War Discovery Trail links more than 300 sites in 16 states to inspire and to teach the story of the Civil War and its haunting impact on America. The Trail, an initiative of the Civil War Trust, allows visitors to explore battlefields, historic homes, railroad stations, cemeteries, parks and other destinations that bring history to life. For more information on the Civil War Discovery Trail and other programs of The Civil War Trust, call 1-800-CWTRUST.
*Some facilities’ availability is seasonal
Download Carnifex Map

The Monongahela National Forest

The Monongahela National Forest was established following passage of the 1911 Weeks Act. This act authorized the purchase of land for long-term watershed protection and natural resource management following massive cutting of the Eastern forests in the late 1800’s and at the turn of the century.

In 1915, 7,200 acres were acquired to begin the forest, called the Monongahela Purchase, and then on April 28, 1920 it became the Monongahela National Forest. Today the forest is over 909,000 acres in federal ownership in 10 counties in West Virginia, making it the fourth largest National Forest in 20 northeastern states. It is within one day’s drive of one-third of the population of the United States.

The forest hosts approximately 3 million visitors annually. There are 23 campgrounds, 17 picnic areas, and 500 plus miles of hiking trails. The extensive backwoods road and trail system is used for hiking, mountain biking and horse riding, with many miles of railroad grades that are a link in the recreation use of the Forest. The longest is the Glady to Durbin West Fork Railroad Trail which is 23 miles long. Recreation ranges from self reliant treks in the wildernesses and backcountry areas to the challenges of mountain climbing to traditional developed site camping.

Nicholas County Veterans' Memorial Park

Nicholas County Veterans' Memorial Park began as a large, local farm. In the early 1940s, it was donated to the county with the stipulation that it be used to honor our World War II Veterans and for recreation for our children. Today, it is used in a variety of ways for our community. The Nicholas County Fair is held annually the second week of July. 2009 marks the 85th year of the fair. The historic Red Barn is original to the park and grounds the small amphitheatre with a large shelter for picnicking. The Nicholas County 4-H holds its annual week long camp at NCVMP in June and has serviced approximately 64 years of children and young adults. The park houses 2 baseball fields, a girl’s softball field, and a t-ball field which entertains hundreds of children and parents in the typical spring baseball season. With the wonderful central location of Summersville, the park has been a great draw for annual state baseball and softball tournaments.

We invite you to bring the whole church, business office, or organization to Nicholas County and stay at our park. It is economical and close to everything you wish to experience. Whether you are a corporation, wedding, special event, family reunion, Christian organization or just want to get away for the weekend with the kids, we can assist your every movement. As a county park we wish to provide a great way for you to join us in making a memorable experience.

Our park offers the following rental areas: Dining hall with full commercial kitchen, Horse arena, Pool, Fire pit with bleachers, Entertainment stage, Picnic arena, Golf course, Tennis courts, Basketball court, Softball, Baseball fields, Lodging cabins, Soccer fields, Theatre, Kitchen, Banquet Room. For more information, call 304-872-3552.