Discover West Virginia: Autumn Colors at Babcock: Places beyond the Mill

Although the grist mill at Babcock is a photo favorite, there are plenty of places beyond the mill that look great in autumn colors.

Swinging Bridge at Babcock

The Swinging Bridge

The swinging bridge over Glade Creek is a great place to capture fall colors at Babcock. While other photographers are vying for position at the mill, walk down the road by the mill to Cabin #7. Then take the stairs down to the cabin and walk around to the back of the cabin. You’ll find a path leading down to the swinging bridge. Glade Creek really shows off at this point with plenty of cascades and color. With the bridge as a backdrop, you’ll find plenty of compelling compositions. Isolations and reflections off the creek will keep you busy, too.

Swinging Bridge at Babcock

Glade Creek Reflections

Mann’s Creek

Glade isn’t the only creek at Babcock. Mann’s Creek flows through the park, too, and is photogenic as well. I’ve found some good color and compositions at the bridge crossing the creek near the Narrow Gauge Trailhead. In addition, a little beyond the campground trailhead, the Mann’s Creek Gorge Trail parallels the banks of the creek offering some fine opportunities for fall shots.

Manns Creek

Boley Lake

Often overlooked by shutterbugs at Babcock, Boley Lake offers some fine prospects for fall photography. Just take the road up the hill behind the mill for about a half a mile. The lake is on the left. The Lake View Trail is a level, easy, mile long loop around the lake. If the colors are good at the grist mill, I’ve found them to be good at the lake, too. Reflections off the lake surface make for nice fall photographs. This is a fine spot to just unwind and stroll through autumn’s splendor.

Boley Lake

Park Roads

Every autumn I drive the road out to the Manns Creek Picnic Area because it is absolutely golden. There are some reds and oranges, too, but for the most part the forest nearly glows with golden tones. Actually, all the roads in Babcock shine with fall foliage.

Road to the Cabins

If you’re visiting Babcock for autumn colors by all means visit the mill. But remember that there’s also plenty of picturesque places besides the mill. Indeed, Babcock is a jewel in autumn that shines wherever you choose to go.