Kanawha State Forest RV & Campground Guide
West Virginia
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The land now known as Kanawha State Forest was once an extensive mining and logging site, but since 1993, it has been designated and listed as a historical place. The 9,300-acre forest consists of mature white oaks, shagbark hickory, northern red oaks, and bitternut hickory. Tourists generally see old eastern hemlocks in the moister coves and riparian areas. This place is a popular destination for outdoor recreation with its natural beauty of the Kanawha River, woodland forest, and fresh greenery. The forest is just seven miles south of Charleston, West Virginia, and 19.4 miles southwest of Elkview.
Spring 35-75 F
Summer 62-85 F
Fall 37-78 F
Winter 26-47 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Kanawha State Forest
If you want to have a wonderful camping experience on your upcoming trip to Kanawha State Forest, you may want to look into renting an RV. A recreational vehicle will allow you to have personal living space, a comfortable mattress to sleep on, and bathroom privacy. On RVshare's peer-to-peer platform, you can select an RV near you or one that's parked within the vicinity of your destination.
Lazy K’s Campground
Lazy K’s Campground offers tent, cabin, and seasonal RV sites for outdoor enthusiast. Most of the RV sites offer electric and sewer hookups. The campground has a central freshwater fill station and dump station as well. This pet-friendly camp is surrounded by acres of wildlife and solitude and just minutes from Interstate 79. You can go biking, hiking, fishing, canoeing, or ATV/UTV riding on the 20- to 80-mile trail along the beautiful Appalachians at Lazy K's.
Little Coal River Campground
Little Coal River Campground is along the banks of Little Coal River. It offers 17 RV sites with water, sewer, and electric hookups. Pets are welcome here. Free Wi-Fi, a bathhouse, a laundry facility, and vending machines are available. The campground is within walking distance of Water Ways, West Virginia's water park, and near the Water Trail, South Charleston Memorial Arena, and Clay Center.
Big Earl’s Campground
Big Earl’s Campground is equipped with 14 RV hooks with water, electric, and sewer hookups. This pet-friendly campground offers direct access to Little Coal River and the Little Coal River Trail. Visitors generally enjoy fishing, mountain biking, canoeing, hiking, four-wheeling, and relaxing at Big Earl. A shower house, laundry facility, and restrooms are located on the grounds.
What to Do at
Kanawha State Forest
Inside Kanawha State Forest
Inside Kanawha State Forest, you can take a swim in the pool or go fishing at the 2-acre Ellison Pond, which is well stocked with trout, bluegill, and bass. More than 25 miles of trails challenge even the most athletic person, including the Polly Trail, which runs up Polly Hollow and merges into Wildcat Ridge Trail. The Wildcat Ridge Trail is two miles long and ideal for mountain biking. These trails are suitable for wildlife observation, bird-watching, and geocaching. With the state park being open during the winter months, many tourists tend to enjoy cross-country skiing, sledding, and snowshoeing.
How to Get to
Kanawha State Forest
From Charlestown, West Virginia, head southwest on Dickinson Street toward Quarrier Street, you'll continue forward onto South Side Bridge. Make a left onto Loudon Heights Road travel for about two miles. Take a right onto Connell Road and go approximately two miles. Turn left onto Kanawha State Forest Drive and follow signs to the Kanawha State Park.
Entering Kanawha State Forest
Kanawha State Forest is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Kanawha State Forest Entry fee : $0.0
You'll make memories that last a lifetime when you take an RV adventure to Kanawha State Forest. If you don't have an RV of your own, rent one with RVshare! If you share your trip photos on social media, be sure to tag us, or send them to [email protected] for a chance to be featured on our blog.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanawha State Forest
The best time of year to visit Kanawha State Forest is from September to the end of October. The fall colors will be on display, and the weather is mild. Daytime temperatures range from the high 70s to upper 60s.
Bird watchers can spot cardinals, hawks, and wood warblers. Deer are plentiful, and two species of endangered bats are in the abandoned coal mines in the park. Hikers and mountain bikers should be on the lookout for bears and bobcats.
There are 46 RV camping sites at Kanawha State Forest for motorhomes or trailers and tow vehicles that are no longer than 26 feet combined. The park supplies water and electricity to 25 of the sites.
Dogs and cats are allowed. They must be on a leash or in a portable kennel. The animals should have their vaccinations and be adequately tagged with an ID or chipped.
There are a few accessible features at Kanawha State Forest. The playground has a wheelchair platform swing and some rubber walkways. The Spotted Salamander Trail is paved and level, and there are interpretative braille signs along this quarter-mile path.