the Powell Family adventure guide to Charleston WV
Sightseeing
Nice local hike down into the canyon. Lots of creek crossings- wear shoes that can get wet or plan to take them off and put them on a lot.
Once your are in the park, turn left at the soap box derby. Park in the dip. Right trailhead goes to the river, left goes along the top of the canyon.
Little Creek Park
Nice local hike down into the canyon. Lots of creek crossings- wear shoes that can get wet or plan to take them off and put them on a lot.
Once your are in the park, turn left at the soap box derby. Park in the dip. Right trailhead goes to the river, left goes along the top of the canyon.
We have some extra kayaks if you want to go to this magical place. Ask us for pointers if you go.
Kanawha Falls
Kanawha FallsWe have some extra kayaks if you want to go to this magical place. Ask us for pointers if you go.
The float from Dartmont park to Sproul rd takeout is a nice float. We know some outfitters or if you want to borrow some kayaks from us we'd be happy to let you borrow some.
Coal River
The float from Dartmont park to Sproul rd takeout is a nice float. We know some outfitters or if you want to borrow some kayaks from us we'd be happy to let you borrow some.
Nice park on the river with a splash pad, sand Vball courts, and a good place to initiate a walk/run along the riverwalk in either direction.
Magic Island Park
Berkeley StreetNice park on the river with a splash pad, sand Vball courts, and a good place to initiate a walk/run along the riverwalk in either direction.
We love kayaking the southern part of the New River (Hinton to Thurmond). Class III rapids are just enough to be fun without being too dangerous for our older kids. We use our own sit on top kayaks and have a great time.
19 yerel halk öneriyor
New River
We love kayaking the southern part of the New River (Hinton to Thurmond). Class III rapids are just enough to be fun without being too dangerous for our older kids. We use our own sit on top kayaks and have a great time.
Urban creek with lots of wildlife.
Davis creek can be accessed with a kayak under the Interstate bridge in South Charleston at the public stream access. You can only kayak up the creek about a mile unless the Kanawha River is high, then you can go farther and kayak among the trees. When the Kanawha is in flood stage it is especially fun to kayak the backwaters up the creek.
This is not necessarily a destination trip, but a good addition if you have the time.
Davis Creek
Davis CreekUrban creek with lots of wildlife.
Davis creek can be accessed with a kayak under the Interstate bridge in South Charleston at the public stream access. You can only kayak up the creek about a mile unless the Kanawha River is high, then you can go farther and kayak among the trees. When the Kanawha is in flood stage it is especially fun to kayak the backwaters up the creek.
This is not necessarily a destination trip, but a good addition if you have the time.
A great park for hiking or mountain biking. Our favorite hiking trail is Wildcat ridge to Polly Hollow- a good climb, some big rocks, and a cool hemlock forest trail. About an hour if you spend a little time on the rocks.
Another trail we like is Overlook rock.
30 yerel halk öneriyor
Kanawha State Forest
7500 Kanawha State Forest DrA great park for hiking or mountain biking. Our favorite hiking trail is Wildcat ridge to Polly Hollow- a good climb, some big rocks, and a cool hemlock forest trail. About an hour if you spend a little time on the rocks.
Another trail we like is Overlook rock.
1.5 mile trail around the lake is good for a trail run/walk that is very close to our unit. They also rent paddleboards.
Ridenour Lake
1.5 mile trail around the lake is good for a trail run/walk that is very close to our unit. They also rent paddleboards.
Starting just south of Charleston, WV, the these ATV trails are over 700 miles and go all over southern WV. Buffalo Mountain is just one of many trail heads.
17 yerel halk öneriyor
Buffalo Mountain Trailhead, Hatfield-McCoy Trails
180 Appalachian Outpost TrailStarting just south of Charleston, WV, the these ATV trails are over 700 miles and go all over southern WV. Buffalo Mountain is just one of many trail heads.
Beautiful short hike on the edge of downtown Charleston. Overlooks Charleston. Our favorite Sunday afternoon walk with the family and a perfect place for a picnic. We frequently combine it with a walk across South Side Bridge into downtown. NOTE: the entry to this park is between Bridge Road and the bridge to MacCorkle ave. It's a small road and a tight turn- especially if you are unprepared.
Carriage Trail
Beautiful short hike on the edge of downtown Charleston. Overlooks Charleston. Our favorite Sunday afternoon walk with the family and a perfect place for a picnic. We frequently combine it with a walk across South Side Bridge into downtown. NOTE: the entry to this park is between Bridge Road and the bridge to MacCorkle ave. It's a small road and a tight turn- especially if you are unprepared.
Not exactly Charleston as it's about an hour away but this is one of our favorite trails. It's a short trail but at its midpoint it parallels the cliffs of the New River Gorge and has many little access paths out to the cliff's edge. Also, check out the "climber's access" where the rock climbers descend to the bottom of the cliffs, it is quite fascinating (this part might not be for smaller children unless they are athletic and fearless). It descends through some holes in the rocks and is very cool. If you are going to be in the New River area, this is a trail to hit.
33 yerel halk öneriyor
Endless Wall Trail
Endless Wall TrailNot exactly Charleston as it's about an hour away but this is one of our favorite trails. It's a short trail but at its midpoint it parallels the cliffs of the New River Gorge and has many little access paths out to the cliff's edge. Also, check out the "climber's access" where the rock climbers descend to the bottom of the cliffs, it is quite fascinating (this part might not be for smaller children unless they are athletic and fearless). It descends through some holes in the rocks and is very cool. If you are going to be in the New River area, this is a trail to hit.
About 1.5 hours from Charleston, but it is worth the trip. Sometimes the water is so clear you can kayak above subsurface cliffs and see them drop off below you. I've seen visibility at 30' (though it is not always that clear). The water is very warm also and the lake is in the tops of the mountains. Lots of cliffs surrounding the lake. We also love to camp there and kayak until our heart is content.
69 yerel halk öneriyor
Summersville Lake
About 1.5 hours from Charleston, but it is worth the trip. Sometimes the water is so clear you can kayak above subsurface cliffs and see them drop off below you. I've seen visibility at 30' (though it is not always that clear). The water is very warm also and the lake is in the tops of the mountains. Lots of cliffs surrounding the lake. We also love to camp there and kayak until our heart is content.