Stringband Festival at Clifftop WV, the famous Clifftop!

Spanning...the Stringband Festival
July 29 - August 2:  Babcock State Park
August 3-4: George Washington Carver State Preserve

Water wheel for the grist mill at Babcock State Park

We arrived in the area with the threat of rain and no clue as to the facilities or relationship between the music festival, Camp Washington-Carver (CWC), and Babcock State Park.  So we opted to camp in Babcock State Park, a short 1.4 mile walk from the festival grounds at CWC as Babcock provided easy access, high and dry camp sites, and relatively quiet.  

The next door neighbors introduced themselves and their dogs, a friendly couple with whom we shared hiking plans, camping ideas, and reviews of other parks.  

The next morning the sun peaked between the clouds and dried the ground from the evening showers so we headed out on a hike to CWC.  The trail is rocky, challenging, and scenic - yes an almost perfect trail.  Most trails in the park run along rivers or streams, climb and descend steep hills, and are frequented by deer and birds; thus you are not disappointed by the choices.

The plan was to move on Wednesday to the festival grounds as there was ample level and dry space in the 'generator' lot.  The GWC facility offers dry camping only and the prime camping spots are best for tenting.  With a 25 foot travel trailer the options are fewer which means we parked outside the main festival area...  the generator and overflow area.  This guaranteed exercise as we walked up and down the entrance road with banjos, chairs, and other stuff slung over our backs.  

Unfortunately there are no pictures of the Stringband Festival because I was too busy with the festival to bother with pictures.  It was grand catching up with friends, making new friends, jamming on the front porch, square dancing, and catching the master's concerts.  Will I go again?  Yes.

FYI:  Camp Washington-Carver and Babcock State Park are adjacent facilities both owned by the state.  CWC is mostly an educational center and used for retreats, camps, and special events.  Babcock is a standard state park with hiking, boating, camping, and related features.  The mailing addresses are different towns that are several miles apart and several miles from the actual facilities.  Lesson:  park offices are not always located on site.