$35 - $40 / night

Camper submitted image from Kanawha State Forest - 1

Camper submitted image from Kanawha State Forest - 2

Nature

Camper submitted image from Kanawha State Forest - 3

Signs & Maps

Camper submitted image from Kanawha State Forest - 4

Roads

Camper submitted image from Kanawha State Forest - 5

Facilities

Established Camping

Kanawha State Forest

22 Reviews

About

State Park

Located seven miles south of the capital city of Charleston, Kanawha State Forest is an outdoor lover’s haven. It is known for its extensive network of hiking and biking trails and has some of the state’s most popular picnic areas. Campers can enjoy hiking, playground areas, fishing, biking, and more.

46 sites, 25 of which have electricity and water hookups

Each campsite has a fireplace and picnic table

The campground has two bathhouses and a coin-operated laundry

RVs or trailer/truck units longer than 26 feet are not recommended

Reservation Info

Campsites may be reserved online, by phone, or at the campground office

Reservations may be made for no less than two consecutive nights on weekends (Fri. and Sat.) or one night (Sun.-Thurs.)

There is a 14-night maximum stay

Suggest an Edit

Location

Kanawha State Forest is located in West Virginia

Directions

BE AWARE GPS CAN OFTEN GIVE WRONG DIRECTIONS. From I-64 East or West Take Exit 58-A, and drive south on US 119. Turn left onto Oakwood Road at the second stop light, (following the brown and white routing signs to Kanawha State Forest), go ¾ mile and take a left, continuing on Oakwood Road, turn right onto Bridge Road, and right onto Connell Road. At the bottom of Connell, make a sharp left onto Kanawha State Forest Drive, and continue on this road to the Kanawha State Forest Entrance Sign. At the Forest entrance, stay right (DO NOT TURN LEFT). The campground is approximately 4.5 miles from the Forest entrance on the right.

Address

7500 Kanawha State Forest Drive
Charleston, WV 25314

Coordinates

38.24700082 N
81.6590004 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Unknown
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites

$35 - $40

/ night

For information regarding reservations, contact this campground directly.

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Contact

General Info

Mark D.

Traveler

Reviewed Dec. 28, 2023

Winter night

We camped for a night right after Christmas. Cozy little campground with great bathrooms! No cell service on either Verizon or ATT anywhere. Very close to Charleston. Sleeping by the creek was an added bonus.

Site11

Month of VisitJanuary

(4) View All

Lucas K.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 15, 2023

Nice Getaway

This place is about a 10 minute drive from downtown Charleston, some really beautiful trails and great for mountain biking. Decent amenities as well.

Month of VisitNovember

Hank M.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 30, 2023

Kanawha State Forest

Small campground settled in a hollow. Nice small creek that runs through the campground which was good for the kids to play in. Lots of good hiking trails as well. Friendly camp staff that were helpful.

Site45

Month of VisitJune

John B.

Traveler

Reviewed Sep. 10, 2022

Nice & Peaceful

Great place to stay if you want to disconnect from the craziness. No phone signal on AT&T or Verizon. Very limited Wi-Fi at the Ranger Hut near the main bathhouse. Per officials, They are trying to update things, at the the grounds so that is good. Hopefully they will get around to the smaller bathhouse soon. Outstanding hiking trails.

Nice stream with fishing holes upon entry of the park. Site 7 has poor drainage during rain but it is a nice site.

Site7

Month of VisitOctober

Jennifer B.

Legend

Reviewed Jul. 13, 2022

Excellent Escape

I'm a regular volunteer and can tell you that Kanawha State Forest is a great place to escape from the big city rush. Many of the structures are on the Federal Registry of Historic Places because they were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930's. It's a 9300-acre forest with over 60 different trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding (If you own your own horse). I see some inaccuracies in the campground description and want those with RV's to know that 27' is the maximum recommended length. That's because the access roads are narrow and curvy. About half the spaces have electricty, There are lots of mature shade trees and a nice creek running through the middle. No cell service and a weak WiFi signal near the campground office. A good starter trail is the paved 1/4-mile Spotted Salamander Trail, which has a wheelchair-accessible playground and shelter nearby. You can check out 200 to 300-year old trees when you hike the Old Growth Forest Trail and learn about the nine species of bats living in the forest on the interpretive Kevin Dials Bat Trail. Make sure you stop by the KSF Gift Shop for trail maps, snacks and souvenirs. Unplug and enjoy!.

Site10

Month of VisitAugust

(4) View All

Brooke V.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 30, 2021

Terrible for large Campers

The GPS led us up a gravel road with no signs for miles. Internet and cell service cut out within a mile up that road and we were not sure we were going the right way. The sights are on top of windy uphill mountain roads which we now call death mountain. Upon arriving, no one was as the visitors center to even tell us where to go. Our site was up a major hill with trees surrounding jt. No cell service either. No firewood and couldn’t drive back into town as it would have taken way too much time. I do not recommend for campers of any size. Terrifying to say the least.

Site40

Month of VisitJuly

Andrea R.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 13, 2021

Great Campsite

Literally the only downside to this spot was no cell phone reception for my niece and nephews to contact there parents and let them know how things were going. There was plenty of space for the kids to run around without disturbing anyone. And the sites were nicely spaced with plenty of wooded scenery.

Month of VisitSeptember

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Jacqueline K.

Scout

Reviewed May. 31, 2021

Pretty

Very pretty area! The sites are all located along a winding road that parallels a river. Some sites are better than others! Our site was very hilly and the picnic table and fire pit were a bit treacherous to get to. Don’t stay in 35 with a tent or mobility issues. We happened to stay on a day that poured rain and our site was muddy-not the sites fault just the weather! Site hosts were very nice!

Site35

Month of VisitJune

Cole T.

Scout

Reviewed Nov. 17, 2019

Great camp ground!

We stayed here to smoke test our new camper trailer and had a great experience! Relatively small and deep within the state forest, you'll start to wonder if you passed it by the time you get there, but keep going and you'll eventually arrive! The staff is finally, the campground well equipped, and the bath house was clean, though it could use a coat of paint inside.

Blythe S.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 19, 2019

Very nice park

Animal friendly staff very helpful !!

Jacob D.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 14, 2019

Amazing sights and family friendly

Great and peaceful environment. Multiple places to mountain bike, picnic, and camp. Shooting range, and there's hunting allowed in certain areas during the state's deer season. Roads could use some touching up, but overall a great place to be!

Kala R.

Scout

Reviewed Sep. 8, 2018

Close to home

I have stayed at this park numerous times, in tents and camper. The history of the area is really interesting and if you're lucky enough to talk with the park manager he'll be happy to give you a little house coal history. I've heard rumor however that the park is losing funding. Great hiking and biking trails. Loved going through the creek!

Elaine L.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 7, 2018

Quiet country setting close to town

Kanawha State Forest is a great place close enough to town if you need something but situated in a nice quiet country setting surrounded by a beautiful forest. Camping offers electric and water at most sites with a couple nice bathhouses. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. There is a public pool with reasonable rates and great food, small areas to fish, a free shooting range and tons of hiking trails. There is a horse stable but we did not visit it. The kids loved wading and rafting in the creek and the playground areas.

Month of VisitAugust

Larry M.

Ranger

Reviewed Aug. 20, 2018

hidden jewel

on the hill! this park was great. it was rainy so they moved us to this great spot on the hill. nice bathhouse even though not clean at the time. it is isolated with tight hairpin turn so I wouldn't recommend anything over 28'. they have a nice target range and trails

Sara K.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 15, 2018

Beautiful, close to home

KSF is absolutely gorgeous! Whether you are taking a day trip for hiking or staying a few days, it is absolutely one of my favorite places to be.

Kaitlin T.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 7, 2018

By far my favorite place I've ever stayed at

Kanawha state forest campgrounds are top on my list of where I have stayed in the past. Tucked away in the middle of the mountains, surrounded by the constant reminder of wildlife around. I stayed for the very start of spring. The world was covered in the brightest green moss. The state park is not allowed to clear fallen trees unless they are in a road way or hazardous, this left many mossy green logs to lay across the mountains. This time of year was also perfect for the many overlook trails offered. Every single trail was more than what we expected. The staff members were extremely nice and accommodating. As long as you don't mind about being away from your cell reception during your stay, this place is highly recommened

SiteArea 27

Month of VisitMay

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Dan L.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 1, 2018

June 25, 2018

Set up in drizzle around 5pm as first night of x country trip. SIte was small, narrow between road and small creek but had electrIc and water. Camp host came by and checked us in and was very nIce. Not bad for an over nIght, and a nIce walk In the woods before we left In the morning. good showers and quIet.

Jeff K.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 27, 2018

KSF

I enjoyed our time at KSF but wish the camp sites were ail more secluded. Firewood was a bit more expensive than I would have liked as well.

Month of VisitOctober

Erica A.

Scout

Reviewed Apr. 22, 2018

Awesome park!

We always stay here in the summer. Nice area, far enough away from anything so you're not bothered, but close enough you're not stranded. Great bath houses. Friendly staff

Month of VisitJuly

Eric K.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 1, 2016

hang out in the WV jungle

very close to Charleston, but feels somewhat removed. tons of hiking and biking (mountain and road) opportunities available. don't forget to do your laundry in the facilities during the sweltering WV summers! you can also purchase ice and firewood.

Andrew S.

Legend

Reviewed Oct. 1, 2016

Kanawha State Forest Wv

Kanawha state forest is nestled in the mountainous Hills of West by God Virginia right on the outskirts of Charleston. There is plenty of hiking in Kanawha state forest. They have a nice olympic size outdoor swimming pool... It is cold even in the hot summer because it is located in a mountain valley with a lot of shade. The camping is nice and quiet and there is a small stream nearby.

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Shelly S.

Legend

Reviewed Jun. 27, 2016

Down in the holler

Camped here during a trail run visit. Dirty Dog 15K. Nice rustic campground, clean and the sites are along a stream which adds to the ambiance. Trails are challenging and beautiful.

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