U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, London Lock, provides a navigable channel on the Kanawha River in West Virginia. The dam and lock project is located between London, West Virginia, which sits on the east bank, and Handley, West Virginia, which sits on the west bank of the river. Dams on the Kanawha River provide flood control, while locks allow watercraft to travel up and down the river. Boat traffic in the area consists of recreational traffic and vessels that service the coal mining industry in the area. The west side of the river near London is the site of the Corps of Engineers London Locks Recreation Area, where picnic sites are located. From the recreation area, visitors can observe the operation of the lock, allowing boats to traverse between the upper and lower pools while enjoying an outdoor meal.
The river in this region is lined with forested natural areas and small towns. Fishing along the Kanawha River is the primary recreational activity in the London Pool. There are two large parks a short drive away. The Kanawha State Forest, 45 minutes to the west has overnight camping with hiking and wildlife watching and a shooting range, and the Gauley River National Recreation Area, which is just over an hour's drive to the east and has hiking, wildlife watching, rock climbing, and whitewater rafting for adventurous visitors. To explore this region, and do some overnight camping, visitors can obtain an RV through West Virginia RV Rentals.
The London Locks Recreation area is located on the northeast bank of the Kanawha River, about two miles north of Montgomery, which is on the southwest side of the river. The picnic area, locks, and project offices at Kanawha River - London Pool have a large paved parking lot, although space for large RVs and tow vehicles is limited.
The nearest large population center is at Charlestown, West Virginia, which is 35 minutes northwest of the site on the east bank. If you need to cross the river to reach towns at Montgomery or Handly, or are approaching London Locks from the west, you can cross the river to the London Locks recreation area on the Chuck Yeager Memorial Bridge near Charleston. This is a truss bridge with 16.1 feet of clearance. Another area bridge between Montgomery and Smithers has a slightly higher clearance at 17.2 feet, but is narrower.
The Gauley River National Recreation Area is just over a one hour drive to the east, along Route 129 West at Mount Nebo, just off US Route 19. The park has limited road access, and park roads are gravel surfaced. Most people navigate around the park by boat or on hiking trails.
Overnight camping at the Kanawha State Park for RVers is a 45-minute drive west of the Kanawha River - London Pool, about 7 miles south of Charleston, off of West Virginia Route 214. Although the reservation site states campsites can accommodate RVs and tow vehicles up to 70 feet in length, navigation about the tight, steep, campground which is heavily treed can be problematic. Smaller RVs, 26 feet in length or less, will have an easier time negotiating the park areas.
Kanawha State Forest Campground is open from spring to fall, depending on the weather conditions. Campsites are reservable online or by contacting the campground office directly, and there is a two-night minimum stay on weekends and a 14-night maximum stay. There are 46 sites available at the campground, 25 of which have water and electric hookups for RVs. Each campsite has a fireplace and picnic table. Facilities at the campground include two bathhouses and a coin-operated laundry facility. Although the campsite reservation site indicates the campground can accommodate RVs up to 70 feet in length, this is a heavily treed, tight campground, with steep sections, and larger RVs may have difficulty accessing sites. Generators can be used during the day, but not between 10 PM and 7 AM, which is the designated quiet time at the campground. Recreational amenities at the park include a fish pond, playground, and hiking trails. This heavily forested campground is peaceful and private, and a great place for campers who want to experience nature and spot local wildlife.
Fishing from the water surface in a boat, canoe, or kayak, or from the river shore, is the most popular recreational activities in the London Pool section of the Kanawha River.
This area of the Kanawha River has a variety of species including bass, panfish, perch, catfish, suckers, longnose gar, carp, and American Eel. When fishing at night for carp, using specific bait is usually more successful. If you are staying at Kanawha State Park there is a 2-acre fishing pond stocked with trout, bluegill, and bass.
The northeast bank of the Kanawha River - London Pool, by the London Locks, has a Corps of Engineers managed recreation area with picnic sites. Sites are first-come, first-serve, and provide a lovely riverside venue for an outdoor meal. There is a parking lot here for visitors. While picnic at the London Lock, you can enjoy the local wildlife and natural areas, the water, and the operation of the lock, as it allows watercraft to move up and down the river.
A shooting range at Kanawha State Forest is open daily to the general public, and there is no fee for visitors to use the range. There are no firearms available on site, so you will need to bring your own. Make sure you have the necessary permits when traveling with your firearms.
The range has shooting stalls with paper targets, to practice and perfect your shooting skills. Be sure to use caution transporting and handling firearms, and observe necessary safety practices to ensure you and fellow visitors can enjoy this activity safely.
During the fall, the Kanawha River - London Pool becomes vibrant with the colors of changing leaves. The autumn colors, coupled with cooler temperatures, and fewer insects, make this an ideal time for hiking.
Developed hiking trails in the area exist at Kanawha State Park, although there may be natural undeveloped trails along the Kanawha River. The state park has over 25 miles of hiking trails that range in difficulty from the Spotted Salamander trail which is ideal for ADA patrons to the Lindy Trail and Overlook Rock Trail that have steep ascents and challenging sections but fabulous views!
The Kanawha River - London Pool’s undeveloped areas, along with the Kanawha State Forest and Gauley River National Recreation Area, are all excellent locations to do some wildlife and bird watching. During the offseason, there is less recreational activity in the area to disturb local animal populations, and you may have more success spotting elusive critters.
Also, early spring and late fall bring migrating birds through the area that you won't see at other times of the year. Bring some binoculars, a camera, and field guides to identify and “capture” your wildlife finds.
More adventurous visitors to the Kanawha River- London Pool area can take a trip up to Gauley River National Recreation Area for some white water rafting. This activity takes place in the fall when water is released from the Summersville Dam in September and creates fast-moving water on over 100 highly technical rapids, many of which are Class V or higher.
Notable rapids along the river in the park area include Pillow Rock, Iron Ring, Lost Paddle, and Sweet’s Falls. You will need to bring appropriate watercraft and safety gear or obtain watercraft and equipment from local outfitters to participate in white water rafting activities. This region requires experienced rafters with the necessary skills to navigate the waterway.
