Babcock State Park is a classic New River Gorge side trip from Fayetteville, especially for its much-photographed Glade Creek Grist Mill. The mill is picturesque, but the park is not just a postcard stop: woods, streams, cabins, and short trails make it a gentle counterpoint to the gorge's more strenuous hikes and rafting.
It is close enough to fold into a Fayetteville-based day, though you will want a car. Photographers favour autumn and soft morning light, while families can treat it as an easier outdoor day than the bigger overlooks and climbing areas.