Kanawha State Forest

Overall not a bad campground. Very pricey in my mind, $43 after taxes for 1 night of primitive camping. Got there at 4 on a monday and no one was in the office, ended up riding 45 minutes up the road to call to reserve a spot, they said everything was a 3 night minimum. I ended up booking online for just 1 night. Campground was clean and quiet, directions aren’t super clear as to where the campground is. Would stay here again if I had to, but wouldn’t be my first pick.

This state forest is expansive with lots of trails popular with mountain bikers. It is a bit challenging to reach with a large(ish) van like ours. Narrow, winding roads take you to the Forest entrance. Campground was quiet with few campers in mid-May. The weather was hot and buggy when we visited. We did find a few ticks. Campground does have playgrounds, showers, electric hook-ups, and a dump station.

We camped for a night right after Christmas. Cozy little campground with great bathrooms! No cell service on either Verizon or ATT anywhere. Very close to Charleston. Sleeping by the creek was an added bonus.

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

Small campground settled in a hollow. Nice small creek that runs through the campground which was good for the kids to play in. Lots of good hiking trails as well. Friendly camp staff that were helpful.

Great place to stay if you want to disconnect from the craziness. No phone signal on AT&T or Verizon. Very limited Wi-Fi at the Ranger Hut near the main bathhouse. Per officials, They are trying to update things, at the the grounds so that is good. Hopefully they will get around to the smaller bathhouse soon. Outstanding hiking trails.

Nice stream with fishing holes upon entry of the park. Site 7 has poor drainage during rain but it is a nice site.

I'm a regular volunteer and can tell you that Kanawha State Forest is a great place to escape from the big city rush. Many of the structures are on the Federal Registry of Historic Places because they were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930's. It's a 9300-acre forest with over 60 different trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding (If you own your own horse). I see some inaccuracies in the campground description and want those with RV's to know that 27' is the maximum recommended length. That's because the access roads are narrow and curvy. About half the spaces have electricty, There are lots of mature shade trees and a nice creek running through the middle. No cell service and a weak WiFi signal near the campground office. A good starter trail is the paved 1/4-mile Spotted Salamander Trail, which has a wheelchair-accessible playground and shelter nearby. You can check out 200 to 300-year old trees when you hike the Old Growth Forest Trail and learn about the nine species of bats living in the forest on the interpretive Kevin Dials Bat Trail. Make sure you stop by the KSF Gift Shop for trail maps, snacks and souvenirs. Unplug and enjoy!.

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. Upon arriving, no one was as the visitors center to even tell us where to go. Our site was up a major hill with trees surrounding jt. No cell service either. No firewood and couldn’t drive back into town as it would have taken way too much time. I do not recommend for campers of any size. Terrifying to say the least.

Literally the only downside to this spot was no cell phone reception for my niece and nephews to contact there parents and let them know how things were going. There was plenty of space for the kids to run around without disturbing anyone. And the sites were nicely spaced with plenty of wooded scenery.

Very pretty area! The sites are all located along a winding road that parallels a river. Some sites are better than others! 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. We happened to stay on a day that poured rain and our site was muddy-not the sites fault just the weather! Site hosts were very nice!

We stayed here to smoke test our new camper trailer and had a great experience! Relatively small and deep within the state forest, you'll start to wonder if you passed it by the time you get there, but keep going and you'll eventually arrive! The staff is finally, the campground well equipped, and the bath house was clean, though it could use a coat of paint inside.

Animal friendly staff very helpful !!

Great and peaceful environment. Multiple places to mountain bike, picnic, and camp. Shooting range, and there's hunting allowed in certain areas during the state's deer season. Roads could use some touching up, but overall a great place to be!

I have stayed at this park numerous times, in tents and camper. The history of the area is really interesting and if you're lucky enough to talk with the park manager he'll be happy to give you a little house coal history. I've heard rumor however that the park is losing funding. Great hiking and biking trails. Loved going through the creek!

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. Camping offers electric and water at most sites with a couple nice bathhouses. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. There is a public pool with reasonable rates and great food, small areas to fish, a free shooting range and tons of hiking trails. There is a horse stable but we did not visit it. The kids loved wading and rafting in the creek and the playground areas.

on the hill! 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 so I wouldn't recommend anything over 28'. they have a nice target range and trails

KSF is absolutely gorgeous! Whether you are taking a day trip for hiking or staying a few days, it is absolutely one of my favorite places to be.

Kanawha state forest campgrounds are top on my list of where I have stayed in the past. 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. The state park is not allowed to clear fallen trees unless they are in a road way or hazardous, this left many mossy green logs to lay across the mountains. This time of year was also perfect for the many overlook trails offered. Every single trail was more than what we expected. The staff members were extremely nice and accommodating. As long as you don't mind about being away from your cell reception during your stay, this place is highly recommened

Set up in drizzle around 5pm as first night of x country trip. SIte was small, narrow between road and small creek but had electrIc and water. Camp host came by and checked us in and was very nIce. Not bad for an over nIght, and a nIce walk In the woods before we left In the morning. good showers and quIet.

I enjoyed our time at KSF but wish the camp sites were ail more secluded. Firewood was a bit more expensive than I would have liked as well.

We always stay here in the summer. Nice area, far enough away from anything so you're not bothered, but close enough you're not stranded. Great bath houses. Friendly staff

very close to Charleston, but feels somewhat removed. tons of hiking and biking (mountain and road) opportunities available. don't forget to do your laundry in the facilities during the sweltering WV summers! you can also purchase ice and firewood.

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. They have a nice olympic size outdoor swimming pool... It is cold even in the hot summer because it is located in a mountain valley with a lot of shade. The camping is nice and quiet and there is a small stream nearby.

Camped here during a trail run visit. Dirty Dog 15K. Nice rustic campground, clean and the sites are along a stream which adds to the ambiance. Trails are challenging and beautiful.