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Kanawha State Forest welcomes pets at all 46 campsites along a winding creek 10 minutes from Charleston. Pet-friendly campgrounds near South Charleston range from tent sites and smaller RV hookups to year-round full-hookup sites, giving dog owners several distinct options within easy reach. Camping sites accommodate tents and smaller RVs (maximum 27 feet recommended due to narrow, curvy access roads), with about half offering electric hookups. Each pet-friendly site includes a picnic table and fire pit, with clean bathhouses nearby. The forest maintains standard leash policies, requiring pets to be kept under control at all times. Rippling Waters Church of God Campgrounds also allows pets at their 50 year-round sites with full hookups, while Huntington/Fox Fire KOA offers pet-friendly tent sites, RV spaces with full hookups, and cabin accommodations. Campground sites remain relatively small with limited drainage during rain, though the nearby creek provides excellent spots for dogs to cool off during summer stays.
Multiple hiking trails throughout Kanawha State Forest provide opportunities for dog walking, with over 60 different paths available for various skill levels. The paved quarter-mile Spotted Salamander Trail offers an accessible option for those with mobility concerns. Most campers note the lack of cell service throughout the forest creates a true disconnect from city life, with only weak WiFi available near the campground office. The forest's 9,300 acres feature mature shade trees and numerous fishing spots where pets can join their owners streamside. During summer months, the dense forest canopy keeps the campground cooler than surrounding areas, making it more comfortable for pets sensitive to heat. Nearby pet supplies can be found in Charleston, though visitors should bring everything needed as the remote location makes quick supply runs impractical.
"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
Check Availability"Directly across from a grocery store, pet store, and auto supply store so great resupply stop! And free electric! Clean playground also."
"Albans roadside park is for pull behind campers only. No tents allowed. About 6-7 sites for campers."
"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
Check Availability"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!"
"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
Check Availability"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."
"Beautiful area, close to New River National Park. Very accommodating staff. Includes wifi, PBS TV, small dog run, small playground, picnic shelter, laundry, bathhouse, firewood, ice,etc."
from $15 - $50 / night
Check Availability"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
Check Availabilityfrom $50 - $150 / night
Check Availability"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
Check Availabilityfrom $40 - $80 / night
Check Availability
RangerThis lake is lovely but there is no where to camp. Lots of big pavilions to rent. See nearby Battle Run Campground. https://thedyrt.com/west-virginia-camping/west-virginia-battle-run
LegendWe enjoyed our stay at Huntington/Fox Fire KOA! This is a holiday KOA that offers more amenities for vacationers. It has very close proximity to I-64 in West Virginia, and you can hear the traffic pretty clearly.
The staff is wonderful, they obviously care very much about their jobs and we enjoyed talking to them. They keep the property very clean which is saying a lot because it’s a very busy park. Each day we watched the park nearly empty and by sundown it was mostly full again. On the weekends it was full to capacity, and it’s occupants were out enjoying their time!
There is: great cellular for TMobile and AT&T, laundry, dog walk area, storage, cabins, a store, a swimming pond, small beach area, and some sites have fire pits. The picnic tables were pretty dated.
The hookups are a little strange. You share pedestals in many of the sites. And the arrangement is a little strange but it works.
GuideThe campground is small. Has a nice dog park. Pickle ball courts Cafe Sky diving right here. 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.
TravelerNice campground. The park is spectacular. The most photographed place in west Virginia is the grist mill. Awesome trails all around.
ScoutWe 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!
LegendBabcock State Park, located in the thriving megapolis of Clifton, West Virginia is postcard perfect! https://wvstateparks.com/park/babcock-state-park/
The road in off the highway isn't too long, but it seemed long, winding, and up and down...especially as night fell. Driving backcountry roads in West Virginia, at night, is not my idea of fun, as I had several near misses with Bambi and her roving gang of miscreants...having no regard for traffic laws...and one knock down, drag out with minimal vehicle damage.
One of the beauties of West Virginia...it is a sparsely populated state with open, unchoked roads that lead to some of the most amazing sights. You must be willing to explore, but you will be richly rewarded.
In the dark, I did pass the campground signs without seeing them and turned into the State Park entrance...wound around past rental cabins to the park office, so I had to backtrack to the campground, which is located in a different area altogether. Driven during daylight hours, the signs are very apparent...so I'm blaming it on the deer.
We arrived midweek, the first of May, so we did not reserve a site. The campground has 52 sites, so I thought we would have a good shot as a walk-in. No worries...we shared the campground with two other campers. Our campsite (site 32) was on the inner loop of the main campground loop at sits around 2450 ft elevation. The temperature got down to 30 degrees and frost covered everything. Twenty eight sites have electric hook-ups ($28) and twenty four do not ($25). The inner loop has some mature trees but is wide open and close cut grass...every camper has a view of the other. Even the outside sites on the main loop are visible. The smaller loop to the right as you enter and a few sites to the left sit in slightly more wooded sites...but there is no foliage separating sites. There is also sites on the opposite side of the roadway when you enter the campground, but seem more like overflow sites...and a fair distance to trek for the showerhouse/restroom/laundry which is situated on the bottom of the main loop.
There is plenty of gravel parking pad for large RV/Campers at all the sites and are angled for trailer back-in. Tent pads are not define and grassy (or a muddy mix depending on weather and usage). Each site has a picnic table and fire ring.
The showerhouse/restroom is located at the front of the loop and was spotless and maintained at the time of our stay...but not climate controlled...as in, not heated. The ladies that keep the park facilities clean worked tirelessly. A very nice activity area for kids sat along the inner portion o the main loop.
The main entrance to the park offers several cabin rental, from economy to 4 bedroom, the park office/visitor's center/gift shop sit along the river. The park office staff were very helpful, friendly and wear many hats...like most state parks.
This building and surrounding stone structures, retaining walls, and staircases were built by the CCC and are magnificent and in great shape. The beautiful gift shop was once a former park restaurant of a bygone era.
Ranger Cochrane was a wealth of information about the park, it's history and neighboring parks. He graciously spent time answering my barrage of questions. Ranger Cochrane was yet another tribute to the fine personnel that WV parks have in place.
The park office is also the best location for postcard perfect pictures of the raging whitewater and gristmill. While not the original gristmill from this location, three remaining gristmills from around the state were dismantled and rebuilt into one at the present location over 30 years ago. The gristmill was very photogenic in the early Spring, but I can only imagine the splendor when the fall leaves change color.
Whitewater kayakers were readying to put in on the rain swollen and boulder strewn river that feeds into the New River below.
Boley Lake, a short drive up the mountain is picturesque and well-stoked with fish. You can paddle the 19 acre lake with personal paddle craft or rent paddleboats, canoes or rowboats from the Boley Lake Marina. Fishing is permitted, but you must have proper licensing...which can be purchased online.
Trails are everywhere and of every terrain and level of difficulty...over 20 miles of trails total. Babcock State Park is 4,127 acres, so there is plenty to see and do. Bicycling can be done on all park paved and gravel roads (no off-road trails), as well as along the Narrow Gauge Trail. And of course, being not too far from The New River and Gauley River...whitewater rafting is close.
ScoutGo to Beech Fork! I’ve been camping here with my family for close to ten years now and we always have a blast. I’ve stayed in primitive sites and RV sites and you can’t really go wrong with either (my review will be 4 stars until I check out the cabins)! Whether you’re looking to spend some time on the lake, fish, hike, bike, or even learn a thing or two about West Virginia history, Beech Fork will typically have you covered. The park stays clean and the staff are pretty good people as well!
ScoutIf your into hiking, rock climbing, fishing, swimming, kayaking, white water rafting, paddle boarding or just hanging out outdoors battle run is for you. Whether it's weekend camping with friends/ family or some where to crash after a long day on the lake/ river you won't regret staying in beautiful West Virginia.
GuideGreat Place if you like to hike. Wonderful trails. The peole are nice and Its beautiful. Only thing I didn't like was I couldn't being my dog because pets are not welcome. As of right now July 2016 the are closed due to flooding hopefully they will be back up and running soon cause I'm ready to go back.
Kanawha State Forest encompasses 9,300 acres of mature woodland within a 10-minute drive from Charleston, West Virginia. The narrow, winding roads leading to the campground feature steep grades that require careful navigation, especially for larger RVs. During summer months, the dense forest creates cooler temperatures than surrounding areas, while the valley location means cell service is limited to non-existent throughout most of the property.
Seasonal creek activities: The winding creek at Kanawha State Forest provides excellent spots for cooling off during hot weather. As one camper noted, "The sites are all located along a winding road that parallels a river. Some sites are better than others!"
Target shooting range: Beyond hiking, Kanawha State Forest offers a maintained shooting range on the property. A visitor mentioned "they have a nice target range and trails" making it a unique amenity among local campgrounds.
Water park access: For families seeking additional water recreation, the Little Coal River Campground sits "across the main highway from the water ways water park" according to reviewers, providing convenient access to larger water attractions.
Kayaking opportunities: The New River area offers excellent paddling opportunities with convenient river access. One camper at New River Campground shared, "I love bringing my kayak here to paddle around! There is a US highway that runs along the back of the campground...but I think the location and view far outweigh that bit of noise."
Secluded sections: While many campsites are close together, some campgrounds offer more private areas. At Rifrafters Campground, a visitor explained, "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."
Riverside locations: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near South Charleston feature waterfront camping with direct river access. According to a camper at New River Campground, "We stayed here for a couple weeks and hated to leave... Most sites are full hook up and the bathroom facilities are only for the ones who don't have full hook up. Not a lot of ups and extras, but the price is great including the price for the firewood."
Free overnight RV spots: For budget-conscious RVers passing through, Saint Albans Roadside Park offers complimentary RV camping with utilities. One reviewer stated, "Wonderful overnight stop. Free electricity (30 amp). 3 spots available, first come first serve, no reservation. 2 nights max."
Lake views: Some campgrounds feature scenic lake settings with amenities. A visitor to Rippling Waters Church of God Campgrounds shared, "We had a lake front spot, and the view is everything you'd imagine and more. I'd describe the view, but wouldn't do it justice."
Challenging terrain: Access roads to many campgrounds feature steep grades and tight turns. One Kanawha State Forest visitor warned, "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."
Limited cell service: Most area campgrounds have poor or non-existent cellular connectivity. A camper observed, "Don't expect to have signal. I'm on tmobile and I had an occasional bar. Starlink worked alright if I aimed it properly through the trees."
Variable site quality: Within the same campground, site conditions can vary significantly. At Kanawha State Forest, one camper advised, "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."
Drainage issues: Many campgrounds struggle with drainage during rainy periods. According to a Huntington/Fox Fire KOA visitor, "The site while somewhat level was gravel and wet from day's storm (poor drainage)!"
Playground facilities: Several dog-friendly campgrounds near South Charleston offer children's play areas. One camper at Huntington/Fox Fire KOA noted it "seemed like it had lots of nice amenities for kids. We did a quick overnight here so we could have some electricity and a shower."
River swimming: Natural swimming areas provide free water recreation for families. A visitor to Ole Henry's Camping Retreat explained, "The creek nearby offers up a good, safe swimming hole for all the kids and adults."
Train watching: Some riverside campgrounds offer unique train watching opportunities. One camper mentioned, "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."
Kid-friendly attractions: Several campgrounds feature activities specifically for children. A reviewer shared, "There is a little 55 gallon barrel train ride for little kids. The playground area has a nice swing set and a couple big wooden play structures."
Maximum length restrictions: Most local campgrounds have size limitations for RVs. A Kanawha State Forest visitor advised, "I wouldn't recommend anything over 28' due to tight hairpin turn."
Hookup placement: Be prepared for unusual utility connections at some campgrounds. One RVer observed, "The hookups are a little strange. You share pedestals in many of the sites. And the arrangement is a little strange but it works."
Alternative campgrounds: For RVers requiring more space, Saint Albans Roadside Park offers "3 spots for RV's. No tent camping spots but right beside a park for kids and right on the river. If you have a boat you can use the boat access. There is a grocery store directly across the road along with several gas stations."
Water quality considerations: Some campgrounds have heavily treated water systems. As noted by one camper at Rippling Waters, "The water is pretty strong so you may want to use a regulator. Water also had a strong odor of chlorine. After showers I felt like I was just getting out of a pool."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near South Charleston, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near South Charleston, WV is Kanawha State Forest with a 4.2-star rating from 27 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near South Charleston, WV?
TheDyrt.com has all 65 dog-friendly camping locations near South Charleston, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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