There’s a stretch of Almost Heaven, Smith Creek, WV, where mist-cloaked hollows echo with whitewater symphonies, rhododendron thickets hide Civilian Conservation Corps secrets, and country roads wind past forgotten coal towns. Welcome to Dry Ridge and Smith Creek—Kanawha County’s rugged backyard, where wilderness whispers and history hums. Forget crowded national parks; this is West Virginia untamed.
A Land Forged by Coal and Stone
Dry Ridge and Smith Creek’s stories are etched in coal seams and sandstone. In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) transformed this scarred mining landscape into Kanawha State Forest—now 9,300 acres of reclaimed wilderness just seven miles from Charleston. CCC crews ripped out coal tipples, built rustic stone picnic shelters, and dammed Davis Creek to create serene pools. Their legacy lives on along the CCC Snipe Trail, where moss-crusted stonework and interpretive signs reveal the forest’s rebirth.
Nearby, Smith Creek Road (WV-614) traces a path through historic coal communities. While mines have silenced, echoes linger in places like the Craik-Patton House (c. 1834), a National Register-listed Greek Revival gem where Daniel Boone once bartered furs. At African Zion Baptist Church in Malden—the state’s first Black Baptist church—freedom seekers worshipped beneath floorboards as conductors whispered directions along the Underground Railroad.
Outdoor Adventures: From Cascades to Clifftops
Trails with Tales
Kanawha State Forest’s 60+ miles of trails offer something for every boot:
- Family Ramblers: The wheelchair-accessible Spotted Salamander Trail (0.25 miles) winds past fern groves, while Davis Creek Trail (2.5 miles) follows a babbling stream perfect for skipping stones.
- Thrill Seekers: Black Bear Mountain Bike Trail drops 1,000 feet over technical rock gardens—locals call the steepest plunge “Spectator Falls” for good reason.
- Waterfall Chasers: Follow Smith Creek Road 9.1 miles to Upper Falls on the Coal River. This 200-foot-wide curtain of rapids (3–6 ft drops) roars like a “miniature Sandstone Falls.” Park at Meadowood Park and follow the footpath to its misty embrace.
Beyond Hiking
- Skeet & Saddles: Test your aim at the forest’s free shooting range (paper targets only!), or trot through maple groves with Circle B Stables’ guided horseback rides.
- Starry Nights: Pitch a tent at the forest’s 44-site campground (open April–December), where fireflies outnumber streetlights and campfire tales feel epic.
Hidden Gems & Local Lore
- Ghosts of Industry: Hunt for ruins of pre-CCC coal tipples along Polly Trail, where rusted cables peek through mountain laurel.
- Liquid Lunch Break: Charleston workers escape to Upper Falls at noon—proof you can chase waterfalls in dress shoes! Pro tip: Pack a sandwich; the roar drowns out conference calls.
Why Dry Ridge and Smith Creek?
In a state famed for the New River Gorge, this corner of Kanawha County offers wildness without crowds. Here, history isn’t behind glass—it’s under your boots in CCC stonework, in coal-rich soil, and in rivers that still sing freedom songs. As one Hipcamper raved after nights under Smith Ridge’s oaks: “It’s only minutes from town, but the stars feel close enough to gather like fireflies”.
So let country roads lead you to Kanawha’s hollows. Come for the waterfalls; stay for the whispers of miners, monks, and mountain bikers who’ve loved these ridges before you.
Bibliography
Hipcamp. “Smith Ridge Harper’s Ferry.” Accessed June 11, 2025. https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US/land/west-virginia-smith-ridge-harper-s-ferry-dw9hn1wm.
Mountain State Waterfalls. “Upper Falls.” Accessed June 11, 2025. https://www.wvfalls.com/upper-falls/.
West Virginia State Parks. “Kanawha State Forest.” Accessed June 11, 2025. https://wvstateparks.com/park/kanawha-state-forest/.
West Virginia Tourism. “Welcome to West Virginia.” Accessed June 11, 2025. https://wvtourism.com/.
Wikipedia. “National Register of Historic Places Listings in Kanawha County, West Virginia.” Last modified June 6, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Register_of_Historic_Places_listings_in_Kanawha_County,_West_Virginia.
Zillow. “Smith Creek Rd, South Charleston, WV 25309.” Accessed June 11, 2025. https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/Smith-Creek-Rd-South-Charleston-WV-25309/22674893_zpid/.
As always, thank you for riding with me!
https://youtu.be/My1W4oL8Elo
Visibility: Sunny
*GPS Coordinate Data Provided on bottom left corner with date and speed*
Destinations in West Virginia by appearance:
Nitro
Saint Albans
Austin Drive – Saint Albans (15:00)
2nd Street – Saint Albans (30:00)
Whispering Oaks Mobile Home Park – Saint Albans (45:00)
South Washington Street – Saint Albans (1:00:00)
Tornado
Smith Creek Road – Tornado (1:15:00)
Alum Creek
WV214/Childress Road – Alum Creek (1:30:00)
South Charleston
Kanawha Turnpike – South Charleston (1:45:00)
Charleston
Ending: US60/MacCorkle Avenue – Spring Hill – South Charleston
Listen while you ride: My Spotify Playlists
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5FI2WfzKqFIz5dD0BOA1iw?si=4f12084e12b247ec – Mix
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5IWoDtlir7k6eww0PNVdGh?si=dca253ebf4e94ac1 – Chill
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4TNiUuJHvogwtk7ZxWoOpl?si=d4594c2bf5ff4328 – Upbeat
