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."
