- Region
- WV, USA
- Country
- United States
- Best for
- hiking
- Best season
- Spring, Summer
- Permits
- Confirm current permit requirements with M…
- Managed by
- U.S. Forest Service, Monongahela National Forest, Potomac Ranger District
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Dolly Sods Wilderness trip tools
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Photos of Dolly Sods Wilderness
How to get there
From Petersburg, follow WV 28/55 south to Jordan Run Road. Turn right and travel 1 mile to Forest Road 19, then turn left and follow it six miles to Dolly Sods Scenic Area. The wilderness is directly ahead at the intersection with Forest Road 75; turn right for Wildlife and Fisher Spring trailheads or left for Rohrbaugh and Red Creek trailheads. From Canaan Valley, follow WV 32 south to Laneville Road (WV 45). Turn left and travel approximately 6 miles to Red Creek Bridge, where the pavement becomes gravel and the road becomes Forest Road 19. Red Creek trailhead is on the left behind the Laneville wildlife management cabin. Continue along Forest Road 19 for Rohrbaugh trailhead and Forest Road 75. Check current Forest Service alerts before departure.
- Red Creek trailhead
Access to Red Creek Trail #514 behind the Laneville wildlife management cabin, near Red Creek Bridge on the approach from Canaan Valley. Listed trailhead coordinates: 38.972343, -79.398247.
- Rohrbaugh trailhead
Access to Rohrbaugh Trail #508 along the Forest Road 19 approach beyond Red Creek trailhead when coming from Canaan Valley. Listed trailhead coordinates: 38.96310449, -79.35418099.
- Fisher Spring Run trailhead
Access to Fisher Spring Run Trail #510. From the Petersburg approach, turn right at the Forest Road 19 and Forest Road 75 intersection toward this trailhead. Listed coordinates: 39.006767, -79.327611.
- Wildlife trailhead
Access to Wildlife Trail #560, reached by turning right at the Forest Road 19 and Forest Road 75 intersection when approaching from Petersburg. Listed coordinates: 38.9868002, -79.3295664.
Sources: fs.usda.gov · University of Montana / federal agency partners · Wilderness Connect / federal wilderness boundary inventory · Wikipedia. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
WV, USA · United States
- Desert Hiking
- Canyoneering
- Birdwatching
- Hiking
- Backpacking
- Wildlife Viewing
A high plateau above Red Creek
Dolly Sods Wilderness occupies 17,371 acres of Monongahela National Forest in eastern West Virginia, spanning Grant, Randolph, and Tucker counties. Elevations range from 2,500 to over 4,700 feet, and the terrain changes substantially between the high plateau and the lower Red Creek drainage. Up high, rocky plains, heath barrens, grassy openings, and wind-stunted red spruce give the country an unusually northern character. Sphagnum bogs support cranberries and insect-eating sundews, while beaver ponds add to the wetland landscape. Lower elevations hold northern hardwood forest and laurel thickets; farther south, dense forest fills the canyon cut by the North Fork of Red Creek. This is a place to plan around both open-country exposure and wet ground, rather than treating every mile as a conventional woodland walk. Carry layers for changing weather and footwear suited to rocky, wet terrain.
Choosing a hike and reading the seasons
The wilderness has 47 miles of trails, many following old railroad grades and logging roads. Options range from the 0.3-mile Northland Loop to longer trails such as Blackbird Knob and Red Creek, with connecting trails offering backpacking possibilities. Use the wilderness trail and expansion maps to build a route; individual trail mileages are not automatically the length of a complete outing from the car. Allow time for stream crossings rather than judging a day only by mileage. The landscape also gives trips different seasonal focuses. Flowering laurel, rhododendron, and azaleas highlight May through June, while huckleberry picking is popular in July. Bird banding takes place in late summer and fall. Dolly Sods receives substantial foot traffic, so expect company rather than guaranteed solitude. Keep groups small, stay on existing trails, and avoid spreading use into bogs and other sensitive plant communities.
Water, campsites, and wilderness hazards
Stream crossings deserve particular attention: some trails have fords that become problematic during high water, and streams can rise quickly in rain. Be willing to turn back, and choose an overnight site on the side of a stream needed for the next morning’s travel. No potable water is available; bring drinking water or treat natural sources. Use existing campsites that meet the applicable setbacks. Do not camp within 200 feet of roads, streams, or trails; camping and open fires are prohibited within 300 feet of Forest Roads 19 and 75 except at Red Creek Campground. Groups larger than 10 are prohibited, pets must remain under control, and bicycles and mechanical carts are not allowed on wilderness trails. Military training left potentially live artillery and mortar shells. Never touch, move, or dig near a suspected shell. Note its location from a safe distance, retreat the way you came, and immediately contact the Forest Service.
Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Dolly Sods Wilderness, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
Coordinates
- Decimal degrees
- 39.0189, -79.3567
- Latitude (DMS)
- 39° 1′ 8.1″ N
- Longitude (DMS)
- 79° 21′ 24.1″ W
Coordinates are an access-point reference for Dolly Sods Wilderness, not a route. Carry a paper map and confirm trailhead or put-in access with the managing agency before you go.
Topic summary
In the mid-1800s, the Dalhe family used open grassy fields called "sods" for grazing sheep in this area, which now bears the name Dolly Sods Wilderness. The region, located high on the Allegheny Plateau...
Key takeaways
- Region: WV, USA
- Country: United States
- Good for: hiking
- Coordinates: 39.019, -79.357
Intended uses
hiking
Keep planning
Popular pursuits at Dolly Sods Wilderness
- Desert Hiking
Water carries and heat management drive the plan.
- Canyoneering
Narrows, downclimbs, and flash-flood timing.
- Birdwatching
Migration windows and the habitat that concentrates birds.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Wildlife Viewing
Best light, best season, and where animals move.
Animals around Dolly Sods Wilderness
Wildlife guideBlack bearUrsus americanus
Big gameWhitetail DeerOdocoileus virginianus
GamefishBrook TroutSalvelinus fontinalis
Wildlife guideNorth American beaverCastor canadensis
Big gameBlack BearUrsus americanus
GamefishSmallmouth BassMicropterus dolomieu
Wildlife guideSnowshoe hareLepus americanus
Big gameWild HogSus scrofa
A high plateau above Red Creek
Dolly Sods Wilderness occupies 17,371 acres of Monongahela National Forest in eastern West Virginia, spanning Grant, Randolph, and Tucker counties. Elevations range from 2,500 to over 4,700 feet, and the terrain changes substantially between the high plateau and the lower Red Creek drainage. Up high, rocky plains, heath barrens, grassy openings, and wind-stunted red spruce give the country an unusually northern character. Sphagnum bogs support cranberries and insect-eating sundews, while beaver ponds add to the wetland landscape. Lower elevations hold northern hardwood forest and laurel thickets; farther south, dense forest fills the canyon cut by the North Fork of Red Creek. This is a place to plan around both open-country exposure and wet ground, rather than treating every mile as a conventional woodland walk. Carry layers for changing weather and footwear suited to rocky, wet terrain.
Choosing a hike and reading the seasons
The wilderness has 47 miles of trails, many following old railroad grades and logging roads. Options range from the 0.3-mile Northland Loop to longer trails such as Blackbird Knob and Red Creek, with connecting trails offering backpacking possibilities. Use the wilderness trail and expansion maps to build a route; individual trail mileages are not automatically the length of a complete outing from the car. Allow time for stream crossings rather than judging a day only by mileage. The landscape also gives trips different seasonal focuses. Flowering laurel, rhododendron, and azaleas highlight May through June, while huckleberry picking is popular in July. Bird banding takes place in late summer and fall. Dolly Sods receives substantial foot traffic, so expect company rather than guaranteed solitude. Keep groups small, stay on existing trails, and avoid spreading use into bogs and other sensitive plant communities.
Water, campsites, and wilderness hazards
Stream crossings deserve particular attention: some trails have fords that become problematic during high water, and streams can rise quickly in rain. Be willing to turn back, and choose an overnight site on the side of a stream needed for the next morning’s travel. No potable water is available; bring drinking water or treat natural sources. Use existing campsites that meet the applicable setbacks. Do not camp within 200 feet of roads, streams, or trails; camping and open fires are prohibited within 300 feet of Forest Roads 19 and 75 except at Red Creek Campground. Groups larger than 10 are prohibited, pets must remain under control, and bicycles and mechanical carts are not allowed on wilderness trails. Military training left potentially live artillery and mortar shells. Never touch, move, or dig near a suspected shell. Note its location from a safe distance, retreat the way you came, and immediately contact the Forest Service.
Route options
- Northland Loop Trail #5690.3 miles
A short loop option for a smaller outing. Listed access coordinates are 39.02763966, -79.31605607 or 39.02631445, -79.31644231.
- Fisher Spring Run Trail #5102.5 miles
A day-hike option from Fisher Spring Run trailhead. Use the trail map to choose a turnaround or connecting route; the listed mileage is the trail length, not a round-trip itinerary.
- Rohrbaugh Trail #5083.6 miles
Start at Rohrbaugh trailhead off the Forest Road 19 approach. Plan the full outing with the wilderness trail map rather than treating the listed trail length as a round-trip distance.
- Blackbird Knob Trail #5114.7 miles
A longer trail option with listed access at 39.03363616, -79.31428581 and 39.032586, -79.3847292. Confirm the chosen approach and return plan on the trail map. For overnight parking along Forest Road 80, check Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge regulations.
- Red Creek Trail #5146.4 miles
Begin behind the Laneville wildlife management cabin. Use the trail map to plan a turnaround or backpacking connection, and account for high-water conditions when selecting any itinerary involving fords.
Sample itineraries
- Northland Loop day visit · 1 day
Walk the 0.3-mile Northland Loop for a short outing. Allow time to observe Dolly Sods' heath and bog plant communities without leaving existing trails. Carry drinking water; potable water is not available.
- Rohrbaugh day hike · 1 day
Start at the Rohrbaugh trailhead and explore Rohrbaugh FT #508, listed as 3.6 miles long. Choose a turnaround that fits daylight and conditions; the listed trail length is not a round-trip distance. Carry a trail map and prepare for rocky terrain.
- Red Creek overnight · 2 days
Begin at Red Creek trailhead behind the Laneville wildlife management cabin. Plan an out-and-back on Red Creek FT #514 using the wilderness trail map. Choose an existing campsite that meets setbacks, and avoid an itinerary that depends on crossing swollen streams.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring; flowering begins in May
Laurel, rhododendron and azaleas flower during May and June. Rain can raise streams quickly, making trail fords difficult or unsafe. Keep hiking plans flexible around water levels.
Summer
June through late summer
Flowering continues into June, and huckleberry picking is popular in July. Bird banding takes place in late summer. Open plateau terrain offers little shelter from wind; carry layers and rain protection.
Fall
Fall
Bird banding continues during fall. Exposed heath barrens and rocky plains warrant wind protection and warm layers. Rain-driven stream rises remain a reason to reconsider routes with fords.
Winter
Winter
Elevations reach over 4,700 feet, with open terrain and wind-stunted trees. Prepare conservatively for cold and wind, and confirm road access and current conditions with the Forest Service before departure.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring; flowering begins in May | Laurel, rhododendron and azaleas flower during May and June. Rain can raise streams quickly, making trail fords difficult or unsafe. Keep hiking plans flexible around water levels. |
| Summer | June through late summer | Flowering continues into June, and huckleberry picking is popular in July. Bird banding takes place in late summer. Open plateau terrain offers little shelter from wind; carry layers and rain protection. |
| Fall | Fall | Bird banding continues during fall. Exposed heath barrens and rocky plains warrant wind protection and warm layers. Rain-driven stream rises remain a reason to reconsider routes with fords. |
| Winter | Winter | Elevations reach over 4,700 feet, with open terrain and wind-stunted trees. Prepare conservatively for cold and wind, and confirm road access and current conditions with the Forest Service before departure. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm current permit requirements with Monongahela National Forest. For overnight parking along Forest Road 80, check the special regulations with Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
Official source: Monongahela National Forest | Dolly Sods Wilderness · Verified October 19, 2026
Hazards & regulations
- Unexploded artillery and mortar shells may remain from military training. Do not touch, move or dig near suspected ordnance. Note its location from a safe distance, retrace your approach and immediately contact the Forest Service.
- Streams can rise quickly during rain. Some trails have fords that become difficult during high water; turn back rather than force a crossing.
- Rocky plains, boulders and wet bog terrain require careful footing. Stay on existing trails rather than cutting across fragile ground.
- Open terrain at elevations from 2,500 to over 4,700 feet leaves hikers exposed to wind and weather. Carry protective layers.
- Potable water is unavailable. Bring drinking water or treat natural water before drinking to kill harmful pathogens.
What to pack for Dolly Sods Wilderness
- Wilderness trail map and expansion map
- Compass and offline navigation
- Route plan with alternatives to stream crossings
- Rain shell and wind protection
- Warm insulating layers
- Sturdy footwear for wet and rocky trails
- Dry spare socks
- Drinking water and carrying capacity
- Water treatment effective against pathogens
- Shelter and sleep system suited to expected conditions
- Food storage that limits wildlife access
Dolly Sods Wilderness FAQ
- What makes Dolly Sods different from nearby forest hikes?
- This high Allegheny Plateau wilderness combines rocky plains, heath barrens, sphagnum bogs and wind-stunted red spruce. Lower elevations hold northern hardwood forest and laurel thickets. Much of the Red Creek drainage lies within its 17,371 acres.
- Where can visitors access the trails?
- From Petersburg, use WV 28/55, Jordan Run Road and Forest Road 19 to reach Forest Road 75. Turn right for Wildlife and Fisher Spring trailheads, or left for Rohrbaugh and Red Creek. From Canaan Valley, WV 32 and Laneville Road lead toward Red Creek trailhead.
- Where can backpackers camp?
- Do not establish camp within 200 feet of roads, streams or trails. Camping and open campfires are prohibited within 300 feet of Forest Roads 19 and 75 except at Red Creek Campground. Use existing campsites that meet these setbacks.
- How extensive is the trail network?
- Dolly Sods has 47 miles of trails, many following old railroad grades and logging roads. Routes include Sundew, Blackbird Knob, Fisher Spring Run and Red Creek. Consult the trail and expansion maps before choosing connections; some trails include stream fords.
- Are dogs, bikes and large groups allowed?
- Pets must remain under control at all times. Groups larger than 10 people are prohibited. Mountain bikes and mechanical devices such as carts are not allowed on wilderness trails; motor vehicles must stay on roads and parking areas.
- How should an overnight route account for stream crossings?
- Camp well away from streams and, where possible, on the side needed for the next morning's travel. Rain can raise water quickly overnight. Do not rely on a ford remaining passable simply because it was manageable on arrival.