Kanawha State Forest

About Kanawha State Forest

This fully equipped campsite is one of the few in the Charleston area, and the state's most popular picnic spot is located here. The Kanawha State Forest is located just a few miles south of Charleston, South Carolina, and is home to more than 2,000 acres of forest and wildlife habitat. The natural beauty of the forest, the picturesque view and the rich wildlife make it a paradise for leisure, but also for camping.

The 9,300-acre forest is considered one of the most important protected areas in the state of South Carolina by conservationists. The lush beech forest provides a rich habitat for many bird species, which attracts bird lovers from as far away as Canada.

Overnight guests enjoy a fully equipped campsite with a fully equipped campsite, picnic area and picnic tables. The campsites are equipped with a coin-operated washing machine, picnic table, outdoor fireplace and water fountain, as well as toilets and showers.

In addition, none of the 25 sites has electricity or water connections, but firewood and ice are available. Pitch with fireplace and picnic table, as well as toilets, showers and water fountain.

There is a landfill for guests at each campsite and the staff is on duty daily from 2 pm to 10 pm.

All campsites are open from 10 am to 4 pm. M., with check-in and departure times until 12 noon.

Only one tent or trailer is allowed per site, but no more than four tents or trailers per site.

During the long holidays (minimum two days), no reservations are accepted, but campers can choose between unused or reserved spaces. Guides will drop you off and register you, but no guides will be registered for you.

The popular outdoor pool opens to visitors on Memorial Day weekend and closes for the season on Labor Day. The recreational facilities of the forest are surrounded by a hunting area, but a duly licensed person may hunt and fish in certain areas.

The rest of the year is open to anyone who holds a license, but fishing is prohibited except on the two-acre Ellison Pond, where it is possible. In the summer months from May to September fishing is only allowed for a limited number of days and not during other periods of the year except Memorial Day weekend.

The ponds are filled with trout, perch and bluethroat, and other neaby fishing areas include the two-acre Ellison Pond and the three-acre
Over 25 kilometres of hiking trails are a challenge even for experienced hikers (descriptions of hiking trails can be found here). This includes a 1500-metre forest trail and a 2000-kilometre hiking trail in the central area of the park.

Take Exit 58A of I-64 in Charleston, turn left onto Oakwood Rd and follow Kanawha Forest Drive to the foot of Connells Forest Entrance. Turn left and head south on US 119, then right at the exit for US-119, then right again on Route 119 before turning left into the park.