Summersville sits at the edge of the New River Gorge — one of the newest national parks and one of the best climbing and whitewater destinations in the country. The lake is five minutes away. The gorge, fifteen. Whether you're here to climb, paddle, raft, or just float, it's all close.
Rafting, zip lining, ropes courses and more. If you’re looking for a day of curated adventure, this is a good place to start. Located just off the gorge you’ll find easy access to much of what the New offers through their grounds.
Babcock State Park has 4,127 acres of stunning scenery. Located 20 miles southeast of the New River Gorge Bridge, the park is known for the Glade Creek Grist Mill, a fully functional replica of the original Cooper’s Mill that once stood on the grounds. Other attractions include recreational activities like hiking, fishing, mountain biking and whitewater rafting in the nearby New River Gorge.
5 minutes down the road you’ll find Summersville Lake. Here you can hike, boat, climb, fish, mountain bike, picnic, and much more. As West Virginia’s newest state park, a substantial amount of work has been done to improve access. We strongly recommend a visit. It’s a short drive to a great spot.
A rugged, whitewater river flowing northward through deep canyons, the New River is among the oldest rivers on the continent. The park encompasses over 70,000 acres of land along the New River, is rich in cultural and natural history, and offers an abundance of scenic and recreational opportunities - hiking, climbing, white water rafting and kayaking, boating and much more.