Camping near St. Albans, West Virginia provides access to the Kanawha Valley region, where elevations range from 600 to 1,000 feet along the river corridors. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions with temperatures between 55-75°F. Most campgrounds in the region are situated within 30 miles of St. Albans, providing varying degrees of seclusion and access to water activities.
What to do
Boat on the Ohio River: Robert Newlon Airpark RV Park in Huntington offers camping with river views. "The Ohio river is visible. The only real problem comes with the train tracks right here. The trains are close and do blow their whistle for crossing by the office," reports Cheryl T.
Watch skydivers: Robert Newlon Airpark combines RV camping with unique aviation activities. "This is one of the more unique campgrounds we have stayed. The park is located on a local airstrip with parachutists, apparently jumping on Sundays," notes Jason G., who also mentioned the "great bar and restaurant which was perfect after a long day on the road."
Explore hiking trails: Kanawha State Forest, located near Charleston, offers extensive trail systems for hikers. "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," explains Larry M. The forest maintains over 25 miles of trails of varying difficulty levels.
Fish in stocked waters: Rippling Waters Campground offers catch-and-release fishing in their lake. "We watched the resident swan swim around the fountain and I got to play with my camera perfecting my skills with day and night shots of the Chapel. My husband enjoyed the catch and release lake for some catfishing," shares Debbie F.
What campers like
Secluded camping options: Rippling Waters Church of God Campgrounds provides peaceful sites away from crowds. "The campground was very quiet and peaceful. My 25 year old son was the youngest person there, except for 2 hours when 1 year old came to visit his grandparents. Most of the campers are there long term and were gone for the time we were there," explains Doug.
Water activities: Oasis Point RV Resort features a swimming lake with recreational equipment. "They have a large pond that has a nice beach, a huge slide and a zip line. They have kayaks, paddle boards and floats first come first serve," describes Karen P., who adds, "We basically had the pond to ourselves. It was great. The kids loved it."
Proximity to town amenities: Saint Albans Roadside Park provides camping with convenient access to stores. "It ok for 1 or 2 nights. The bathrooms locked at night no showers. It is on river nice playground and across street from restraints and stores," notes Amy L. The location allows campers to easily resupply without long drives.
Affordable camping options: Several campgrounds offer budget-friendly stays. "Wonderful overnight stop. Free electricity (30 amp). 3 spots available, first come first serve, no reservation. 2 nights max," shares Andrea W. about Saint Albans Roadside Park, highlighting the value found in some area campgrounds.
What you should know
Site conditions vary significantly: RV camping near St. Albans, West Virginia can range from well-maintained to primitive. "The sites did hold a bit of water after a strong rain, be prepared if bad weather is expected," warns Jason G. about Robert Newlon Airpark RV Park.
Wildlife concerns: Some campgrounds have reported security issues. "Make sure to keep your stuff locked up. Lots of vagrants and over grown men riding kids bicycles with backpacks," cautions Chad T. about Saint Albans Roadside Park.
Internet and cellular coverage: Connectivity varies by location. At Kanawha State Forest, "Don't expect to have signal. I'm on tmobile and I had an occasional bar. Starlink worked allright if ai aimed it properly through the trees," notes Angelo V.
Limited bathroom facilities: At some campgrounds, facilities may close at night. "The bathrooms locked at night no showers," reports Amy L. about Saint Albans Roadside Park, indicating the need to plan accordingly.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly water features: Huntington/Fox Fire KOA offers water recreation options for children. "They had so much for kids to do: a swimming pond with inflatables, gem mining, banana bikes, and more. They showed a movie at 9pm on a big inflatable movie screen outside. Lots of other families there to hang out with," shares Zach H.
Check playground conditions: Many area campgrounds maintain play areas. "There is a fenced in playground that is very nice," notes Andrew S. about Saint Albans. Playgrounds provide entertainment for children after a day of outdoor activities.
Consider noise levels: Road noise can impact sleep quality, especially with children. "The only downside was that the tent sites are close to the interstate, so there was A LOT of road noise all night," warns Zach H. about Huntington/Fox Fire KOA.
Look for activities beyond swimming: Some campgrounds offer unique entertainment options. "Make sure you rent a banana bike! Super fun," recommends William I. at Huntington/Fox Fire KOA, highlighting the variety of recreational options available for families.
Tips from RVers
Check access road conditions: Several campgrounds have challenging approach roads. "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," warns Brooke V. about Kanawha State Forest.
Site leveling requirements: RV campers should prepare for uneven sites. "Our site (19) was roomy and level," notes Melissa O. about Rifrafters Campground, but experiences vary significantly between campgrounds and specific sites.
Electric hookup variations: Available power connections differ across campgrounds. At Farver Acres, "Water, electric sewer, and Wi-Fi all work great. It is a very private setting and beautiful views," shares Chris F. about this newer option for RV camping near St. Albans, West Virginia.
Water quality considerations: Water systems vary in quality and pressure. "The water pressure at the site was excellent — just be sure to bring a water pressure regulator to ensure a comfortable experience," advises Hannah about Farver Acres, highlighting the importance of being prepared for strong water pressure.
