Campgrounds and RV parks near Chelyan, WV

Chelyan is a small community on the south bank of the Kanawha River in Kanawha County, southeast of Charleston and served by Exit 85 of the West Virginia Turnpike. Its position on the I-77/I-64 corridor makes it a practical staging point for RV trips into the New River Gorge and the Coal River valleys, with Charleston amenities, groceries, and fuel within a short drive. Camping options nearby range from riverfront private parks to primitive federal sites. Lazy K's Campground and Canoe Livery and Little Coal River Campground and Cabin sit close to Chelyan along regional waterways, while New River Campground Inc., Rifrafters Campground, and Bear Mountain Cabins & Campgrounds put renters within reach of the New River Gorge climbing, paddling, and rail-trail scene to the southeast. Most private campgrounds in the area accept RVs and take reservations directly. Public campgrounds inside New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are primitive, with no drinking water, no hookups, no electricity, and limited restroom facilities, and all sites are first-come, first-served.

Private campgrounds in the area, including Lazy K's Campground and Canoe Livery, New River Campground Inc., Little Coal River Campground and Cabin, Rifrafters Campground, and Bear Mountain Cabins & Campgrounds, take reservations directly by phone or through their own websites. For summer weekends, Bridge Day, and the fall Gauley season, book several weeks to several months out. Campgrounds inside New River Gorge National Park and Preserve operate differently. There are no camping fees at park campgrounds, reservations are not available, and all sites are first-come, first-serve. Group camping areas are available in the park for groups of nine or more people with a Special Use Permit, obtained by calling the park's permit office. State parks in the area, such as Babcock, use the West Virginia State Parks reservation system.