New River Gorge, Hawks Nest and Babcock State Park

05/09/2006 10:37:49 AM · #1

Going to be staying at Hawks Nest State Park in West Virginia over the weekend for some landscape photography with my fiance, does anyone have any suggestions for what to do in the area. What trails in the New River Gorge, Hawks Nest or Babcock State park shoud we take. Where's the best scenic views. Wheres the best food. Does anyone know of any natural arches in the area. Where are the best photo ops.

thanks,

Greg

nova

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM

05/09/2006 11:10:50 AM · #2

I drove down to that area for a day trip back in February. With only a couple of hours to spend I visited the usual places.

Don't skip the Visitor's Center at the top of the gorge near the bridge. From there I made the drive down the gorge to the water's edge. If people are whitewater rafting this early in the year, you should be able to get some good shots of that activity. As you drive out of the gorge (it's one-way If I remember correctly) there is a very scenic waterfall on the right just before you make it back to the main highway. On a warm day I'm sure that there will be people in the water there... maybe some good candid opportunities. And of course the old mill at Babcock State Park is famous for it's scenic beauty and worth the drive. Take your tripod - or pick one up if you don't have one. You'll put it to good use!

With more time to spend, I'm sure you'll find places that I overlooked. Be sure to post some shots when you get back, looking forward to seeing them!

Ray

Tokina AF 28-80mm f/2.8 AT-X 280AF Pro for Pentax

05/09/2006 05:05:57 PM · #3

Bump

mcrochip

Pentax K20D

05/09/2006 05:22:08 PM · #4

With regard to the (Canyon Rim) visitor center, take the walk down the trail... there are a couple of look-out stations along the way, with really good views of the bridge. I went rafting on the Gorge a couple years ago when we had all the flooding, and I can tell you that bridge is magnificent.

Can you post the route you plan to take to the area? The highway that comes down from Morgantown (I-79 to US-19) goes through some interesting areas, and US-19 that crosses the NRG Bridge also crosses the Gauley River with some nice waterfalls.

-Steve

05/09/2006 05:33:45 PM · #5

We will be coming from Charleston, my fiance lives in Williamson and she said it is the best way to go from her house.