Kanawha State Forest
Kanawha State Forest
4
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Located seven miles from Charleston, Kanawha State Forest is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The forest has more than 25 miles of hiking and biking trails, picnic areas and diverse wildflower, tree and bird populations. Amenities include picnic shelters, playgrounds and camp sites. In-season hunting is permitted in specified areas for hunters with a valid license.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
142 reviews
Excellent
72
Very good
42
Average
16
Poor
4
Terrible
8
bcasey1
Plant City, FL1,675 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
Peace, serenity, plenty room for social distancing and enjoying the great outdoors. Lovely drives through the park, and nice to park and hike along the way. Creeks, small (this time of year, probably a lot bigger during Spring) waterfalls and a nice lake to see. Friendly ranger with maps and a small gift and snack shop.
Written 2 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Glenn C
3 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
We were excited to visit Kanawha State Forest with our small 23’ travel trailer. However, getting there requires going through a seedy part of town with narrow winding roads. The park itself was very pretty, but the site we reserved #28 we could not locate. The campground is ideal for tent camping, but RV’s and travel trailer should avoid it like the plaque. The campground road is extremely narrow with low over hanging tree limbs. Our exit cost me a rear stabilizer jack. Bottom line, it was huge disappointment, especially when compared to Mash Fork Campground in Campcreek, West Virginia. As they say ‘live and learn’.
Written 17 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tawny1956
Millsboro, DE508 contributions
Sept 2021
This was a one night stop for us in our travels. The campground was nice, but a bit scary getting to with our travel trailer. Bath facilities near our site were closed for renovations. Staff member Steve was very friendly and helpful.
Written 7 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
blackriverwoman
Virginia465 contributions
Jun 2019
This is a great place for a reunion or any other large group gathering but I would never come here alone or even in a small group.
Written 7 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sasha S
Charleston, WV83 contributions
Jun 2013 • Couples
A beautiful little park about 15 minutes outside of Charleston. Not particularly well advertised or famous (likely the reason it remains pristine), it has a good reputation with local botanists and mountain bikers as well as those who just want to walk and enjoy the woods.
A note for the unwary: You will have NO PHONE SERVICE here. It doesn't matter what your carrier is. Take a map to get you out of the area and be prepared for a few hours without phone calls, texts, or internet service.
A note for the unwary: You will have NO PHONE SERVICE here. It doesn't matter what your carrier is. Take a map to get you out of the area and be prepared for a few hours without phone calls, texts, or internet service.
Written 15 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rpdc
Charleston, WV36 contributions
May 2013 • Family
Kanawha State forest has a wealth of things to do and see. There is a small, wheelchair accessible nature trail (the trail is flat). There's a swimming pool, several playgrounds, picnic shelters, a kids' and handicap-accessible fishing pond, a gun range, a campground, and a really huge netowrk of trails. The trails are where it's at in Kanawha State Forest. The map offered by the Forest Office is OK- but not anything to write home about. If you're good at finding your way around, it will do. More than that- you may want to stop at Charleston Blueprint and pick up the topo maps of the area. The trail network is somewhat difficult, because it consists of a mix of old and current logging roads (and gas well access roads) that you access via genuine old-fashioned trails. The trails are all pretty steep (but relatively short) to get you to the "roads." The network creates a really large variety of trail combinations you can do - pace yourself. In the past, there have been some security issues in the parking areas - particularly the ones further back in the park - don't leave your stuff sitting out in your car. They are occasionally broken into. Because of the steepness of the mountains, you'll find cell service and GPS reception can be difficult. You can always get cell service by tromping to the top of a trail. You'll find some amazing attractions back in the forest - beautiful waterfalls, rocky ridges, Alligator Rock - that really looks like an alligator, an old coal mine entrance, loads of amazing wildlife. It is an overall great place!
Written 28 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wvugirl2005
West Virginia150 contributions
My husband thought that a trip to Kanawha State Forest would be a great way to end my Mother's Day. Man was he wrong! Not only is it very hard to find, there isn't much there. Just a tip, when the black top road ends, best to turn around. We found ourselves driving up the mountain on a thin and crumbling gravel road. I thought for sure we were heading off the cliff many times. We ended up in Marmet, a good 45 mins away from where we started. I have never been so happy to see flat ground in my life! All I can say is thank god for sport shift!
Written 1 July 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CharlotteBuckeye
Ponce Inlet, FL487 contributions
We were so pleasantly surprised to find this gem. Well marked hiking trails weave through this enormous state forest. Trails range from easy to extremely difficult. If you are unfamiliar with trail maps -- stop by the information center (not open on weekends) for the best trails to take. There were park rangers available who answered our questions since the visitors center was closed.
We hit the trails during the peak of the spring wildflower bloom (early April). Beautiful blood red triliums were the highlight. We also enjoyed hiking around large rock outcroppings. We dipped our feet in the ice cold stream when we were finished hiking -- very soothing.
Cant say enough about this beautiful place! Convenient location too -- just off of I-64 (the exit is also about a mile from the I-77 split. You will have to take your time once on the narrow road that leads to the park. It is a 7 mile VERY curvy road.
We hit the trails during the peak of the spring wildflower bloom (early April). Beautiful blood red triliums were the highlight. We also enjoyed hiking around large rock outcroppings. We dipped our feet in the ice cold stream when we were finished hiking -- very soothing.
Cant say enough about this beautiful place! Convenient location too -- just off of I-64 (the exit is also about a mile from the I-77 split. You will have to take your time once on the narrow road that leads to the park. It is a 7 mile VERY curvy road.
Written 1 May 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Coolman1950
Elkview, WV62 contributions
Oct 2016 • Solo
This beautiful park is only 15 minutes from the state capitol Charleston. There are numerous well marked hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty. Many scenic picnic spots and shelters. I recommend purchasing the trail map available at the park office. There is a free map bit it is poor quality
Written 27 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elle7422
Burlington, VT8 contributions
Jul 2013 • Friends
A great place to go for a walk or a hike. Trails are well marked. Different levels of trails depending on what you're looking for. They have shelters if you are looking for a place to enjoy the outdoors for the day.
Written 30 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Planning a gender reveal party and was wondering if it cost anything to reserve a shelter or if it's on a first come first serve. Also they are wanting to shoot the target are fire arms aloud within the shelter areas. Thank you in advance.
Written 8 May 2017
sorry but you will have to call the office on this question.
Written 8 May 2017
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