Is Kanawha State Forest Campground Entrance Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Kanawha State Forest Campground Entrance Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Kanawha State Forest Campground Entrance Campground before I book?

Yes! Kanawha State Forest Campground Entrance Campground has 8 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Kanawha State Forest Campground Entrance Campground?

Kanawha State Forest Campground Entrance Campground is open Campground generally open April through December, weather permitting.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Kanawha State Forest Campground Entrance Campground?

Yes, Kanawha State Forest Campground Entrance Campground has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Kanawha State Forest Campground Entrance Campground have?

Kanawha State Forest Campground Entrance Campground has 46 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Kanawha State Forest Campground Entrance Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Kanawha State Forest Campground Entrance Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Kanawha State Forest Campground Entrance Campground?

Kanawha State Forest Campground Entrance Campground offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Kanawha State Forest Campground Entrance Campground?

Popular activities at Kanawha State Forest Campground Entrance Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Kanawha State Forest Campground Entrance Campground

4 reviews

Quick Facts

1,368 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

46 campsites

Season

Campground generally...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

Partial HookupsShowers

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

1,368 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

46 campsites

Season

Campground generally...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

Partial HookupsShowers

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Kanawha State Forest Campground Entrance Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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West Virginia State Parks

Provider

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Kanawha State Forest Campground Entrance Campground

38.2561, -81.6572

Nearby places

Charleston, WV — approximately 7 miles

Nearby supplies

Charleston, WV — supplies and services available approximately 7 miles from the campground

Driving directionsEnter Kanawha State Forest from U.S. 119 via Oak Ridge Road on the east side (near the Dunkin' Donuts), avoiding routing from the north or west that may include a small tunnel and narrow roads. Expect narrow, winding access roads with low overhanging limbs and tight turns once inside the forest.

Accessible from U.S. 119 (Oak Ridge Road). Local access roads within the forest are narrow and winding.

Weather at Kanawha State Forest Campground Entrance Campground

Best Time to Camp at Kanawha State Forest Campground Entrance Campground

Fall brings the campground's most magical moments, when comfortable temperatures meet explosive foliage and the trails beckon without the summer humidity. Spring runs a close second, offering cool mornings perfect for hiking and hillsides painted with wildflowers. Summer campers will appreciate the dense canopy that keeps things shaded, though you'll want to prepare for typical Appalachian warmth and moisture. The campground welcomes visitors from April through December (weather permitting), then closes for winter—giving the forest its own quiet season to rest.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Fall called 'most magical' with comfortable temps and explosive foliage—peak season.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Campground generally open April through December, weather permitting.

About Kanawha State Forest Campground Entrance Campground

Tucked into a peaceful wooded hollow just outside Charleston, Kanawha State Forest Campground invites you to sleep beneath a cathedral of Appalachian hardwoods while a gentle creek babbles nearby. This rustic retreat strikes the perfect balance between accessible adventure and true forest immersion, with miles of hiking and mountain biking trails leading straight from your campsite into the heart of West Virginia's wild beauty.

Supports tent camping and small RV/trailer camping; site sizes and access favor smaller rigs and tents.

Historical Significance

The forest occupies land that was formerly used for coal and timber operations in the Kanawha Valley and was later reclaimed and managed for public recreation. Its development reflects the region's transition from extractive industries to conservation and outdoor recreation, serving as an accessible forest park near the state capital.

Weather and SeasonsFall brings the campground's most magical moments, when comfortable temperatures meet explosive foliage and the trails beckon without the summer humidity. Spring runs a close second, offering cool mornings perfect for hiking and hillsides painted with wildflowers. Summer campers will appreciate the dense canopy that keeps things shaded, though you'll want to prepare for typical Appalachian warmth and moisture. The campground welcomes visitors from April through December (weather permitting), then closes for winter—giving the forest its own quiet season to rest.

Natural Features and SceneryWake up surrounded by towering white oaks, hickories, and stately hemlocks that transform this narrow hollow into a natural sanctuary. The forest canopy stretches overhead like a living roof, filtering sunlight into dancing patterns while a clear stream winds past campsites, its constant murmur the only soundtrack you'll need. Come spring, the forest floor erupts with wildflowers and birdsong; by autumn, these same hillsides blaze with color as the hardwoods put on their annual show. Whether you're scanning the canopy for warblers or simply breathing in the rich scent of the forest, the landscape here offers that authentic Appalachian experience that's increasingly hard to find so close to the city.

Geological RegionForested mountains of the Appalachian region (mature Appalachian hardwood forest)

Scenic ViewsViews are primarily intimate woodland scenes — dense forest, steep hillsides, shaded hollows and the creek that runs through the campground. Nearby trails offer occasional ridge-top perspectives over forested valleys, but the campground itself does not provide broad panoramic overlooks.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsUseDirect (WV State Parks reservation system)

Total Campsites46 campsites

Best CampsitesSites adjacent to the creek are commonly praised for pleasant sound and scenic setting; some sites are elevated on small hills and at least one tent site is accessed via a small footbridge. Sites near bathhouses are convenient for families, while sites farther along the loop are more secluded and provide a stronger forest ambiance. Smaller rigs and tents are generally recommended due to narrow roads and tight sites.

Need help booking Kanawha State Forest Campground Entrance Campground?

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When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Campground has defined campsites with hookups and basic campground facilities including bathhouses and laundry; the park also sells firewood and ice on site.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Flush toilets

Fire rings

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

A forested campground with extensive on-site trail access and water-based recreation at ponds and piers; activities focus on hiking, mountain biking, wildlife and nature observation.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsNarrow, winding campground roads with low overhanging limbs and tight turns that can be problematic for larger RVs and trailers; at least one small tunnel exists on some access routes. Limited or unreliable cell coverage in the hollow; typical forest wildlife (deer, raccoons, small mammals, and occasional bears reported) and typical trail/stream hazards (mud, slippery conditions after rain).

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

0.0

4 reviews

Limited Reviews

Kanawha State Forest Campground Entrance Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitors praise the campground’s peaceful, heavily wooded, creek-side setting, abundant trails, and proximity to Charleston, while noting facilities are basic. Common negatives are narrow, winding roads with low limbs, limited cell service, and tight sites that make larger RVs impractical.

Review Summaries

Based on 4 reviews

What Campers Love

Quiet, immersive forest setting with a stream running beside many campsites; abundant hiking and mountain-biking trails directly accessible from the campground; basic hookups (many sites have...

Based on 4 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring a smaller rig or tent and plan driving routes in advance (avoid routes with the small tunnel if possible). Arrive during daylight to navigate narrow roads and low limbs, download maps and trail...

Based on 4 reviews

Camper Quotes

“Nice and clean. Restrooms, fishing docks, streams to play in playgrounds.” — “Plenty of biking, hiking and horseback riding trails.”

Based on 4 reviews

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