Campgrounds and RV parks near Big Chimney, WV

Big Chimney is a small census-designated place in Kanawha County on U.S. Route 119, sitting along the Elk River just northeast of Charleston. The area is served by exit 5 from I-79 and by West Virginia Route 114, which makes it an easy staging point for RV travelers heading into the Kanawha Valley or up the Elk River corridor. RV renters use Big Chimney as a base for exploring central and southern West Virginia. Local private campgrounds such as Lazy K's Campground and Canoe Livery and Little Coal River Campground and Cabin cater to river-focused trips, while Statts Mills RV Park offers a quieter rural stop. To the north near Spencer, Charles Fork Lake provides municipal lakeside camping with electric and non-electric sites, and New River Campground Inc. sits farther south toward the New River Gorge region. Elevations here are modest, around 600 to 700 feet, and the surrounding landscape is Appalachian foothills with rivers, hollows, and ridge-top forests. Most trips combine river paddling, fishing, and hikes in nearby state forests.

West Virginia state park and forest campsites, including Kanawha State Forest south of Charleston, can be reserved through the state's online system at wvstateparks.com, by phone, or at the campground office. Weekend stays require a two-night minimum on Friday and Saturday, while Sunday through Thursday allows single-night bookings, with a 14-night maximum stay. Private campgrounds listed here, including Lazy K's Campground and Canoe Livery, Statts Mills RV Park, Little Coal River Campground and Cabin, and New River Campground Inc., are booked directly with each operator by phone or website. Charles Fork Lake is operated by the City of Spencer and takes campground bookings through the city; sites include both electric and non-electric options. Summer holiday weekends fill first. Reserve well in advance for Memorial Day, July 4, and Labor Day.