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Best Campgrounds near Charleston, WV

462 Reviews

Charleston, West Virginia and the surrounding Kanawha Valley provide diverse camping options within a short drive of the city. Kanawha State Forest, located just minutes from downtown Charleston, offers tent and RV camping with electric hookups and water access at many sites. Several campgrounds in the region accommodate multiple camping styles, including Rippling Waters Church of God Campgrounds in Kenna and Little Coal River Campground, both supporting tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin accommodations. The proximity of these mixed-use campgrounds to urban areas makes them convenient for weekend getaways while still providing forest immersion.

Camping seasons vary significantly throughout the region, with many campgrounds operating from April through early December. Kanawha State Forest has limitations on RV length, with 27 feet being the maximum recommended size due to narrow, winding mountain roads. Cell phone reception is limited or non-existent at several camping areas, particularly those nestled in the forest hollows. Campground access can be challenging for larger vehicles, and some visitors report navigation difficulties. A review mentioned, "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."

Campers report high satisfaction with the natural surroundings and proximity to hiking trails throughout the region. Kanawha State Forest features over 60 different trails for hiking and mountain biking, with a creek running through the campground that provides recreational opportunities for children. The forest setting creates a peaceful atmosphere despite being close to urban areas. Several visitors appreciate the disconnect from technology that these camping areas provide. One camper shared that 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." Sites with electric hookups tend to be in higher demand, and early reservations are recommended during peak summer months.

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Best Camping Sites Near Charleston, West Virginia (83)

    1. Kanawha State Forest

    27 Reviews
    Hernshaw, WV
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 558-3500

    $35 - $40 / night

    "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."

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

    2. Saint Albans Roadside Park

    11 Reviews
    St. Albans, WV
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 722-4625

    "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. "

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

    3. Rippling Waters Church of God Campgrounds

    5 Reviews
    Victor, WV
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 988-2607

    $55 - $155 / night

    "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."

    4. New River Campground

    14 Reviews
    Gauley Bridge, WV
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 632-9821

    $30 - $40 / night

    "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."

    5. Huntington / Fox Fire KOA

    19 Reviews
    Ona, WV
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 743-5622

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

    "The area is safe and right near the nicest little towns (barboursville and hurricane) which have all the restaurants and shopping you’d need."

    6. Rifrafters Campground

    30 Reviews
    Fayetteville, WV
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 564-1065

    $15 - $50 / night

    "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."

    7. Little Coal River Campground

    1 Review
    Alum Creek, WV
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 369-1951

    $20 - $110 / night

    "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."

    8. FMC Sportsman's Club

    2 Reviews
    Winfield, WV
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 757-1165

    "We Stayed on a temporary tent site right beside the bigger lake on the property. There are three lakes total."

    9. Christenberry's Campground

    Be the first to review!
    Victor, WV
    10 miles

    10. Chestnut Creek Campground

    20 Reviews
    Lansing, WV
    36 miles
    Website

    $10 - $11 / night

    "Great tent campground very near the New River gorge and close by Summerville Lake and the Gulley River. Multiple campsites in heavily forested area. Drive up to the sites."

    "They have showers and clean bathrooms just a short walk from any site. All sites are big and you can pick from any available. The host is just a text or call away and he replies very quickly."

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Recent Camping Photos near Charleston, WV

162 Photos of 83 Charleston Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Charleston, WV

462 Reviews of 83 Charleston Campgrounds

  • Irene C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Hilltop Sunrise - Half acre RV Site with full hookups

    Hospitable convenience

    Easy access area. The host is friendly and accommodating. We used the 110 electric for overnight in my campervan, but the hilltop tent with outdoor shower is very cute. I would stay here again.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Babcock State Park Campground

    Spacious campground. Near RiverGorge National Park

    The facilities were clean and well maintained. Babcock State Park has access to trails, a scenic drive, grist mill, and souvenir store. WIFI is slow but there is a WiFi lounge at park store. No food store or restaurants nearby. Limited large rig sites and roadways are very narrow.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Grandview Sandbar Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    Great area!

    This was near the water with pit toilets available but not in good condition. Areas to fish and good camping areas spaced apart. Friday night and there was only a few campers. If it’s full glade creek is four miles up the road and our personal favorite. So plenty of options and both great spots!

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Glade Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    New favorite!

    This area is our favorite we have been in all of the eastern states. So the sites all have fire pits and picnic tables and there’s tons of wood around to burn. There’s two pit toilet restrooms on both sides of the campground and a full area by the water for walk in tent camping. Boat ramp for anyone wanting to kayak and a big beach area to play in the water so perfect for my dog and kid. No one was around so we had the place to ourselves but each area is well spaced.

  • SkywaystoHighways.com Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Babcock State Park Campground

    All the Amenities and then some!

    We truly enjoyed our stay at this park. Its peacefully serene setting was exactly what we needed after a weekend long festival. Ya just can’t beat a free hot shower with great water pressure and affordable laundry facilities! Ya know?! Nice trails to forage and nearby Gristmill to top it all off. If we’d had the time, we would’ve stayed an extra night.

  • Brac S.
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Gauley Tailwaters Campground — Gauley River National Recreation Area

    Don’t understand the positive reviews

    We headed here based on the reviews, there were other campers that were there for rafting (Sept release season) but camping was literally a parking lot with fire pits around it. We stayed just up the road at Battle Run, which was a beautiful place (paid of course).

  • Ronnie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins

    Nice place

    Trails were never nicely marked and well cleared. Good size spaces and distance between each camper.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Kanawha State Forest

    Beautiful state forest

    New bathrooms. Sites are well spaced and clean.

Guide to Charleston

Camping near Charleston, West Virginia, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a quiet getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Explore New River Gorge National Park: This park is a must-visit for hiking and whitewater rafting. One camper mentioned, “Rifrafters is a wonderful family-run campground that was the perfect location for us to explore New River Gorge NP and the surrounding area.”
  • Hiking Trails: Many campgrounds, like Kanawha State Forest, have trails popular with mountain bikers. A visitor noted, “This state forest is expansive with lots of trails popular with mountain bikers.”
  • Visit Historic Towns: Check out the nearby town of Thurmond, known for its rich history. One camper shared, “Thurmond is a great little historical train town with a nice visitor's center.”

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Babcock State Park stated, “The bathhouse is centrally located and there is a very nice playground area.”
  • Friendly Staff: Many campgrounds have helpful staff. A visitor at Chestnut Creek Campground said, “Owner is nice and helpful. He gave me good advice on what to see and cool uncommon attractions.”
  • Secluded Sites: Campers enjoy the privacy offered by many sites. One review for Little Beaver State Park mentioned, “We chose a shaded pull-thru spot that had a gravel pad with 30 amp electric and water.”

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Grandview Sandbar, do not have drinking water or electric hookups. A camper noted, “Campground is free, but you have to bring your own water.”
  • Road Conditions: Access roads can be narrow and winding. A visitor at Kanawha State Forest mentioned, “It is a bit challenging to reach with a large(ish) van like ours.”
  • First-Come, First-Serve: Many sites operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. A camper at Glade Creek Campground advised, “Get there early to make sure you get a spot.”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and hiking trails. A review for Babcock State Park highlighted, “The staff are also friendly and attentive. We enjoyed several of the hiking trails and other features like the historic Grist Mill.”
  • Pack Snacks: Bring plenty of snacks and drinks, especially if you're heading to remote campgrounds. One camper at Forked Run State Park mentioned, “Not many sites are level. Most patrons seem to be local - weekends full of loud music and drinking.”
  • Plan for Quiet Time: Some campgrounds can get noisy, so plan activities that allow for downtime. A visitor at Rifrafters Campground noted, “It was very peaceful and quiet at night.”

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site before booking. A camper at Forked Run State Park warned, “Ensure your rig can fit into your selected site prior to booking as sites can be small and hilly.”
  • Use Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups for convenience. A review for Huntington / Fox Fire KOA mentioned, “The sites have great electric and water.”
  • Be Prepared for Noise: Some campgrounds are near highways or railroads. A visitor at Huntington / Fox Fire KOA noted, “There is car and truck noise all day long and all night too.”

Camping around Charleston, WV, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there good tent camping options around Charleston, West Virginia?

Tent campers have several excellent options near Charleston. Babcock State Park Campground offers fantastic tent sites with soft ground and good tree coverage, making it ideal for tent camping. The park is known for its spectacular trails and famous grist mill. For a more unique experience, Tawney Farm provides primitive camping on farmland with proximity to the Gauley River, making it perfect for tent campers who enjoy a more rustic setting. Both locations offer scenic surroundings and outdoor recreation opportunities within reasonable driving distance from Charleston.

What state parks with camping are located near Charleston, WV?

Several state parks with camping facilities are located within driving distance of Charleston. Beech Fork State Park offers both primitive and RV sites through its Moxley Branch Campground, providing a reliable camping destination that has pleased visitors for years. Cabwaylingo State Forest, though off the beaten path, is worth the drive as one of West Virginia's oldest state parks, built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Other state park options include Kanawha State Forest just outside Charleston and Babcock State Park, all offering varied camping experiences with hiking trails and recreational activities.

Where are the best campgrounds near Charleston, WV?

Charleston offers several excellent camping options within easy driving distance. Kanawha State Forest sits right on the outskirts of Charleston and features plenty of hiking trails and an Olympic-sized outdoor swimming pool during summer months. For those willing to venture a bit farther, Huntington / Fox Fire KOA provides more amenities for vacationers with close proximity to I-64. Additional options include Rippling Waters Church of God Campgrounds near Kenna and New River Campground near Gauley Bridge, both offering various facilities and accessibility options for different camping styles.

Can I find lakeside camping near Charleston, West Virginia?

Yes, there are excellent lakeside camping options within driving distance of Charleston. Battle Run on Summersville Lake offers camping with easy access to water activities including hiking, fishing, swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and white water rafting. This campground is perfect for water enthusiasts looking for adventure. Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins also provides camping near Summersville Lake, known for its clear waters and stunning visual features. While Summersville Lake Shelters doesn't offer camping directly, these nearby options make lake camping accessible for those traveling from Charleston.

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