South Charleston, West Virginia is situated in the Appalachian Mountains at the junction of two important rivers: the Kanawha and the Elk. The city was established in 1906 and later incorporated in 1917. People who originally settled here were drawn to the river valleys, and this is where you’ll still find the most populated areas and the bulk of the region’s amenities. For a city with a current-day population of only 12,000 people, South Charleston offers an astounding number of things to see and do. You’ll find epic recreation areas, great places to eat, and ample places to shop.
An interesting historic facility in the area is the South Charleston Industrial Park. This complex was originally constructed during World War I and was previously known as the U.S. Naval Ordnance Plant. Its original purpose was to make armor plate for naval vessels and to perform the finishing processes in the manufacture of large battleship guns. During World War II, the plant employed more than 7,400 workers, half of whom were women. In the recent past, the industrial park has been revived for use in shipping and auto parts manufacturing.
Summerfest is an annual event taking place in August in South Charleston each year. You’ll want to check this out if the people in your group enjoy live music, kid’s activities, and delicious food from local vendors.
You can buy locally crafted art pieces at the Arts & Crafts Mound Festival, which happens in South Charleston every September.
If craft beer is your thing, check out OktoberWest in Charleston. This event happens in late September or October every year.
There are two dump stations located nearby in the greater Charleston area. One is located at the Kanawha State Forest and is open seasonally from April through December. The daily rates at this facility include use of the dump station; pricing starts at $24. The other is a big rig-friendly facility at Cabela’s in Charleston. You can call them to check current dump station pricing and availability.
Kaymoor Trail is one of the noteworthy landmarks at the 70,000-acre New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, which is less than 60 miles from West Charleston. Grab your camera before heading to this beautiful park; you might have the opportunity to photograph the bald eagles or peregrine falcons that inhabit the area. Hike the park’s scenic trails and snap a few more photos from the spectacular overlooks.
Important landmarks and attractions at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park about 225 miles from West Charleston include the Old Carriage Trail Bridge, the Blue Hen Falls waterfall, the Canal Exploration Center, the Ledges Trail and the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail. You might enjoy wandering along the 125 miles of hiking trails.
Upon arrival at the Thornton Gap entrance to Shenandoah National Park, you’ll want to head four miles west to seek out the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center. This is a great place to see an educational overview of the park and learn about its many attractions, which include Rapidan Camp, Skyline Drive, and parts of the legendary Appalachian Trail. Alternatively, you could check out the Byrd Visitor Center, which is located south of the Big Meadows Lodge.
Kanawha State Forest offers a playground, campgrounds, sheltered picnic areas, and over 60 miles of hiking and biking trails to explore. You’ll have opportunities to see native trees and picturesque groupings of wildflowers. Hunting is allowed in designated areas within the park with a current hunting license.
Chief Logan State Park offers you 4,000 acres of mountainous terrain where you can camp, hike, and view wildlife. One of this park's most visited attractions is its conference center.
Recommended activities at Beech Fork State Park include biking, boating, camping, fishing, hiking, and swimming. Accommodations include 275 campsites with bathhouses and restroom facilities. One of the most popular attractions at this park is the Beech Fork Lake Wildlife Management Area, which is appealing to birding enthusiasts in search of herons and other waterfowl.
The Gauley River National Recreation Area is situated in Victor, West Virginia. This is one of the best places in the United States to go whitewater rafting. There are multiple Class V+ rapids flowing through the river’s 5 miles of water.
You'll find the Bluestone National Scenic River located in between the cities of Hinton and Athens, West Virginia. The river has carved a rugged gorge through the scenic landscape in this area of the southern Appalachians. Staff at Bluestone State Park maintains a 10.5-mile section of this river; you can camp along the waterfront at this lakeside retreat or enjoy a variety of outdoor activities including boating and fishing.
The sacred Hopeton Earthworks site is one of the most remarkable landmarks at the Hopewell Culture National Historic Park in Chillicothe, Ohio. Here you can view engineering marvels that Native Americans constructed more than 2,000 years ago.
Kanawha State Forest campgrounds are open seasonally between April and December. This facility offers 46 campsites; 25 of these have hookups for electricity and water. Campsite amenities include a fireplace and picnic table. The campgrounds also offer laundry facilities and bathhouses. Hiking, biking, and other recreational activities are available on-site. This location is not recommended for RVs longer than 26 feet. Their daily rates start at $24.
Rippling Waters Campground offers overnight RV camping with access to 27 full hookup campsites. Water, sewer, and electricity connections are available. Pricing at this facility depends on the length of your RV and the duration of your stay. Rates for a short pop-up, truck camper, or van start at $20 per night plus tax.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in South Charleston, WV, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in South Charleston?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in South Charleston from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in South Charleston?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
