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Camping near South Charleston, WV

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    SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

    Campgrounds near South Charleston, West Virginia range from established state parks to riverside camping areas along the Kanawha and New rivers. Kanawha State Forest, located just outside Charleston, offers tent and RV camping with electric hookups, drinking water, and showers in a forested mountain setting. Several mixed-use campgrounds like Huntington/Fox Fire KOA and Rippling Waters Church of God Campgrounds provide more developed options with amenities including cabins, full hookups, and recreational facilities. Saint Albans Roadside Park offers RV-only camping with electric and water hookups along the Kanawha River, though no tent camping is permitted at this location.

    Road access varies significantly between campgrounds, with some requiring navigation of narrow, winding mountain roads. Many campgrounds in the region experience seasonal closures, with several operating only from April through November or December. "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," noted one camper. Weather conditions can change rapidly in the mountainous terrain, with spring rains sometimes causing river levels to rise dramatically. Cell service is limited in many areas, particularly in the more remote forest campgrounds. Visitors should be prepared for temperature variations, as valley locations can be significantly warmer than higher elevation sites.

    Riverside camping represents a distinctive feature of the region, with multiple campgrounds offering direct water access. The New River and Kanawha River provide opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and swimming adjacent to camping areas. Several visitors mentioned the peaceful sound of flowing water as a highlight of their camping experience. Bathroom and shower facilities vary widely between locations, from well-maintained modern facilities at state parks to basic pit toilets at more primitive sites. Campers report that weekends often bring higher occupancy rates, especially during summer months when the swimming areas are most popular. Public lands in the area typically provide more secluded camping experiences, while private campgrounds offer more amenities but less privacy between sites.

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    Best Campgrounds near South Charleston (89)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Kanawha State Forest

      4.2(27)7mi from South CharlestonRVs, Tents

      "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."

      "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."

      from $35 - $40 / night

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      2. Saint Albans Roadside Park

      3.8(11)7mi from South CharlestonRVs

      "Albans roadside park is for pull behind campers only. No tents allowed. About 6-7 sites for campers."

      "The City of Saint Albans has a roadside park with three RV sites where you can camp for 2-days max in a 14-day period.  The sites are first-come, first-serve, with donations encouraged. "

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      3. Rippling Waters Church of God Campgrounds

      4.7(7)18mi from South CharlestonRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "We tent camp, but walking around, the camping trailers did not appear to be crowded together. For us this is a fantastic place to overnight and will return again when traveling through the area!!"

      "We had a pull thru site by the lake, it had to be about 100 yards long and nicely graveled."

      from $55 - $155 / night

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      4. Huntington / Fox Fire KOA

      3.9(21)26mi from South CharlestonRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "It has very close proximity to I-64 in West Virginia, and you can hear the traffic pretty clearly."

      "This is a very cozy park tucked in between US60 and I64. We are in site 14 and its not quite level, but they were generous with gravel so the drainage is good! No parking in puddles!"

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      5. Little Coal River Campground

      4.0(1)13mi from South CharlestonRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "This is across the main highway from the water ways water park. Others camp here to be close to the Hatfield McCoy ATV trail system."

      from $20 - $110 / night

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      6. FMC Sportsman's Club

      5.0(1)17mi from South CharlestonRVs, Tents
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      7. Rifrafters Campground

      4.4(34)37mi from South CharlestonRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Some really great beer places close by as well. Nice a shady too. I’d like to go back and do some exploring around the area. Just be careful with what gps app you use."

      "They walked us to our site and helped us back into our spot. Everything worked well with all of the hookups. It was a quiet and clean campground."

      from $15 - $50 / night

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      8. New River Campground

      4.6(14)31mi from South CharlestonRVs, Tents

      "I told them I did not have these capabilities in my rig and they gave me sole access to the handicapped shower."

      "The owner goes around the campground at 430p offering firewood for $5/bundle. The view from our full hookup campsite is hands down amazing!! We're situated directly on the New River in Gauley Bridge."

      from $30 - $40 / night

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      9. Riverside R&R

      Be the first to review10mi from South Charleston1 siteTents

      from $50 - $150 / night

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      10. Ole Henry's Camping retreat

      5.0(1)22mi from South CharlestonRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "The creek nearby offers up a good, safe swimming hole for all the kids and adults. Giovanni's pizza restaurant on site has wifi.  This campground is located out in God's country. "

      from $20 / night

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    Recent Camping Photos near South Charleston, WV

    152 Photos of 89 South Charleston Campgrounds

    Recent Reviews near South Charleston, WV

    482 Reviews of 89 South Charleston Campgrounds

    • BThe Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 22, 2026

      Army Camp - New River National Scenic River

      Well maintained FREE campsite

      We came late an did not get a campsite. So, being that we have a camper van, we stayed in the large on site parking area.

      Very nice site. No cell service. Pit Toilets only. No water or electric. However, well maintained and great spot for our dog to enjoy.

      We just needed a single night and this suited our needs well. It is a little out of the way just for a single night, but think of the adventure.

    • BThe Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 22, 2026

      Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

      Well maintained and peaceful

      This was a quaint place to reset. Relaxing!

      We came late and all of the sites were occupied, but when you are in a camper van the large day use parking area was perfect!

      Pit toilets are clean! Not that we used them. No hookups of any kind.

      Short walk to the river and some well maintained picnic benches.

    • A
      Aug. 3, 2026

      Rifrafters Campground

      Homey feel, spotless grounds, and top-notch hospitality!

      We had a wonderful stay at Rifrafters! The campground is remarkably clean, well-organized, and has a truly welcoming, homey feel. The dog park is large, open, and was a great spot for our dogs to run around and burn off some energy.What really sets this place apart is the incredible owners. They are as friendly, accessible, and easygoing as they come. They guided us into our spot perfectly on the first attempt, constantly checked in to ensure we were comfortable, and even recommended a great local mechanic when our truck needed service. You can really tell they care about their guests. We will definitely be staying here again next time we're in the area!

    • BThe Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 2, 2026

      Rays Campground

      Nice Place

      Very low key place. Self check-in. Bath house is old but clean, plenty of hot water. Washing machine and dryer available. Free coffee every morning.

    • Andrew S.
      Jul. 27, 2026

      Rifrafters Campground

      Great Campground, TERRIBLE owners.

      The owners of this campground are among the rudest people we have ever come across in the camping world.

      On our first attempt at reserving a site, we reserved the site three months in advance. When we arrived, they moved us to a different spot to accommodate 'other campers' with zero explanation. When we tried to explain we reserved that site in advance and specifically, the older bald guy, became unprofessionally furious and threatened to kick us off the grounds without a refund. The second year we tried to stay there,we again, reserved a specific site AND paid the lock-in fee, thinking, surely, this will not happen again. Unfortunately, the campground is rather beautiful, so we simply tried to fully abide by THEIR OWN rules the second time to avoid unnecessary conflict.

      Nope. When we arrived, they moved us AGAIN to a terrible site. Bottomline, these people are power-trippers. They're argumentative, they're rude, they're short, and if you even try to ask about the reservation process, they will just kick you off the property with no refund and no campsite.

      And again, they do not calmy explain what they're doing or why. They just do it...and if you question them, they will escalate the situation to an incredulous level of arguing.

      This place could be incredible, but the owners have completely ruined it. We will never be trying to stay here again, and will pass it along to anyone trying to stay in that area.

    • Gail G.
      Jul. 27, 2026

      Krodel Park Campground

      okay for overnight

      Had full hookups, but poor water pressure. Campground in city park, even had a splash pad and was quiet

    • C
      Jul. 23, 2026

      Babcock State Park Campground

      Quiet, out of the way

      We stayed here for 3 nights, occupying site 32. Although is was close to the bath house, I would not recommend this specific site, as it is not very level.(But, there are plenty of other nice sites around the park.) When you arrive, you check in at the small building along Clifftop Rd. They have ice($3/bag) and firewood(skip it...find another place to buy wood as the park's is too green to burn).

      The campground is a maze of fairly unmarked roads winding lazily through the trees.(Seriously, put up a sign or two for direction.) The bath house is dated, but relatively clean. Showers take a minute or two to heat up and lack serious pressure, but they work. Sites are generally spaced far enough apart and noise is kept to a minimum. The weekend we were there had a lot of kids riding bikes, playing in the playground and doing kid stuff. Good to see.

      The park is out of the way, but only a short drive to the New River Gorge and park system. Cell service was 5G for both Verizon and T-Mobile. The park has wi-fi, but we never needed it.

    • KThe Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 22, 2026

      Battle Run

      Nice park

      This is a core engineer built Park sites are fairly level. Bath houses are old but clean. Electric only at sites. There’s water and a dump station at the entrance of the park. Which makes a little difficult if you here more than a few days and need water, you have to store everything in your motorhome pull in the electric cord, drive out and fill up with water and then come back and get leveled again.

    Guide to South Charleston

    Camping sites near South Charleston, West Virginia range from riverside locations to mountaintop retreats. The area features elevations varying from 600 feet along the river valleys to over 2,000 feet in the surrounding mountains, creating significant temperature differences between locations. Many campgrounds experience high humidity levels during summer months, with temperatures regularly reaching 85-95°F while spring and fall offer more moderate conditions with occasional frost at higher elevations.

    What to do

    Fishing opportunities: Riverfront camping at New River Campground puts anglers directly on prime fishing waters. "You can fish right from your site. The owner is very nice and will go out of her way to help make your stay a good one," notes Jim C. The campground features direct river access for both fishing and kayaking.

    Target shooting: Several forest campgrounds provide access to shooting sports. Kanawha State Forest offers "a nice target range and trails" according to Larry M., making it popular for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy both camping and target practice during their stay.

    Water activities: Paddling and swimming options abound throughout the region. "Beautiful night along the New River! Waterfront tent site with access to clean, personal bathrooms/showers assigned to each site. I love bringing my kayak here to paddle around!" shares Kenneth K. about his experience at New River Campground.

    Creek swimming: Family-friendly water options include creek access at several locations. Ole Henry's Camping Retreat features "a creek nearby that offers up a good, safe swimming hole for all the kids and adults," according to Andrew S.

    What campers like

    Morning river views: Waterfront sites provide memorable wake-up experiences. "Shade trees and a light morning mist on the river made a beautiful sunrise," writes Chris S. about his stay at New River Campground, where the distance "from bumper of my TT to the river was about 30ft."

    Close proximity to towns: Many campgrounds offer convenience without sacrificing natural settings. Saint Albans Roadside Park provides easy access to services: "There is a grocery store directly across the road along with several gas stations," explains Teresa Q. This setup allows campers to easily resupply during longer stays.

    Quiet locations: Despite being near urban centers, several campgrounds maintain peaceful environments. "It is right on the river and is very pretty," notes Jim C. about New River Campground. "We stayed here for a couple weeks and hated to leave," adds Todd W. about the same location.

    Wildlife viewing: Campgrounds often feature opportunities to observe local fauna. "You will hear and see many bullfrogs as you camp beside the lake. You will see deer roaming the hillsides and find turtles roaming the area," describes Andrew S. about FMC Sportsman's Club.

    What you should know

    Limited cell service: Communication can be challenging in valley locations. "I'm on tmobile and I had an occasional bar. Starlink worked allright if I aimed it properly through the trees," reports Angelo V. about his experience at Kanawha State Forest.

    Road conditions: Access to many campgrounds requires careful driving. Rifrafters Campground visitor Tucker B. notes the campground is "only about 7 minutes from the New River Bridge welcome center," but other locations have more challenging access. Chris S. warns about New River Campground: "the drive from Rt 19 to the campground is 8% grades both uphill and down, with twists, turns, and practical uturns with my 35ft. Fun for me, not for my wife."

    Weather preparedness: Rapid condition changes affect camping comfort. "We happened to stay on a day that poured rain and our site was muddy-not the sites fault just the weather!" shares Jacqueline K. about Kanawha State Forest. At New River Campground, Thomas H. noted: "It was raining off and on and was pretty muddy in spots."

    Train noise: Several riverside campgrounds experience railroad disruptions. "The railroad is right across the river, so pretty nice to watch but at night it can be a little loud if you need silence to sleep," mentions Tiffany D. about New River Campground.

    Tips for camping with families

    Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's areas. Huntington/Fox Fire KOA features "a swimming pond with inflatables, gem mining, banana bikes, and more. They showed a movie at 9pm on a big inflatable movie screen outside," according to Zach H.

    Educational opportunities: Historical sites near campgrounds provide learning experiences. Jennifer B. notes that near Saint Albans Roadside Park, "a little historic trivia. George Washington owned 2,000 acres in the Kanawha Valley, including what is now the City of Saint Albans." Many campgrounds are near historic mining or industrial sites.

    Kid-friendly attractions: Specialized activities for children exist at select locations. "There is blain drain pipe slides coming off one of the hillsides that is a kid favorite. They also have a little 55 gallon barrel train ride for little kids," describes Andrew S. about Ole Henry's Camping Retreat.

    Animal encounters: Some campgrounds feature domestic animals for children to interact with. "There is a pony that lives on the site and is very friendly. It scavenges for free food and the children love it. There is also a few cats or so that live on site and is very friendly to children," notes Andrew S. about Ole Henry's Camping Retreat.

    Tips from RVers

    Site selection: Choosing the right spot significantly impacts experience quality. "Find the good spots. Up front is a regular campground but we are in the back, secluded and peaceful. Site 34. There are about 8 nice sites out back with water and electricity," advises Larry M. about Rippling Waters Church of God Campgrounds.

    Leveling requirements: Terrain varies significantly between campgrounds and sites. Thomas H. shares about New River Campground: "My camper isn't very big so I put my passenger side wheels just on the edge of the gravel patio so my entry steps wouldn't be in the mud and I was nearly level, side to side was good, only needed a small adjustment front to rear."

    Size limitations: Some campgrounds cannot accommodate larger rigs. "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," warns Brooke V. about navigating to Kanawha State Forest with a large camper.

    Electrical considerations: Power offerings differ between locations. At Saint Albans Roadside Park, Andrea W. notes: "Free electricity (30 amp). 3 spots available, first come first serve, no reservation. 2 nights max."

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where can I find camping near South Charleston, WV?

    Several excellent campgrounds surround South Charleston. Beech Fork State Park offers both primitive sites and RV sites about 30 minutes away, making it perfect for family camping trips. The Huntington/Fox Fire KOA provides amenities for vacationers with easy access from I-64. For those willing to drive a bit further, Babcock State Park Campground features flat sites with soft ground and good tree coverage. Closer to town, Little Coal River Campground and Rippling Waters Church of God Campgrounds offer convenient options with basic amenities.

    What parks are available in South Charleston for day use and picnicking?

    South Charleston and the surrounding area offer several parks ideal for day use and picnicking. Mountain Lake Campground provides access to Summersville Lake with clear waters perfect for swimming and picnicking along the shore. Cabwaylingo State Forest, while a bit further, offers historic picnic areas built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The New River Gorge National Park features multiple day-use areas with scenic picnic spots. Within South Charleston itself, you'll find Little Creek Park and Joplin Park with playgrounds, walking paths, and dedicated picnic areas complete with tables and grills.

    What are the best outdoor activities in South Charleston, WV?

    South Charleston offers excellent access to hiking, fishing, and water activities. At Battle Run, visitors enjoy hiking, rock climbing, fishing, swimming, kayaking, white water rafting, and paddle boarding. The nearby New River Gorge National Park provides world-class rock climbing and hiking trails. Summersville Lake is perfect for boating and swimming with its clear waters. During fall, the Gauley River attracts whitewater enthusiasts for its renowned rapids. Mountain biking trails wind through the region's forests, and wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the area's parks and natural spaces.

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