There will be several campsites that are along the creek. As a 3 day backpack camp along Big Stonecoal Run the first night, then the Forks of Red Creek the second. Started at Blackbird Knob trailhead and went towards blackbird knob and set up camp. Flickr Ed Kennedy. The North Fork, right there at Seneca Rocks, has some great trout fishing. This moderate 7 mile loop trail brings you through the Dolly Sods Wilderness on 3 different trails: Bear Rocks Trail (TR522), Dobbin Grade Trail (TR526), and Raven Ridge Trail (TR521). This is a lot of hardwood forests with occasional vista points on rocks, with the trails going up and down, and is probably the most similar to other hikes in the Monongahela. It is located in Grant, Randolph and Tucker Counties, West Virginia. With an almost 50-mile trail system and mostly unrestricted conditions on tent-pitching and campsites, Dolly Sods is a popular backpacking destination. Over time the area became known as Dolly Sods. There are multiple paths to the top, marked with dots showing the routes and difficulty, but you dont have to climb Seneca Rocks to enjoy the area. Here are three winter-worthy adventures in the Sods: 1. Find a Free Campsite. The sites are claimable on a first-come, first-serve basis. either ditch the rod and strap on some hiking boots as dolly sods is a truly wonderful place to just walk around or go fish elsewhere. Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Shenandoah | Jun 10, 2016 Get the best news, delivered weekly. I have needed my down jacket in the middle of summer. Those two places are about as close as you can get to the Dolly Sods. December 8, 2016. If backpacking (not running) I would probably plan on two full days of hiking at least, with an overnight in the neighborhood of Bear Rocks. The main rules for camping in the Dolly Sods area are do not camp within 300 feet of Forest Roads 19 or 75 (one of the roads you will drive to get to Dolly Sods), and do not camp within 200 feet of an waterways. Dolly Sods and Canaan Loop, WV. This is an intermediate/strenuous 25 mile loop. Elevations range from 2,500 to over 4,700 feet. Dolly Sods Wilderness is a high plateau forming the east side of the Canaan Valley of West Virginia. We are coming from Washington D.C. Memorial Day weekend and are planning on doing an overnight hike through Dolly Sods Saturday-Sunday. Dolly Sods is one of the most impressive backpacking locations in the region. DC-Area Camping Spots for Glampers, Nature Lovers, and Everyone in Between. 0 0 0. Dolly Sods - March 27-28. The dense rhododendron thickets, unblazed trails, and rugged terrain will have you feeling like you're truly in the wild. Mountainside Vibes - 1465 Mountainside Rd
Spruce Lodge - Easy Access to Dolly Sods, Lake Access, Pet Friendly, Hot Tub. The Dolly Sods Wilderness contains much of the Red Creek drainage and contains bog and heath eco-types, more commonly typical to southern Canada. Great for all skill levels, this trail is typically used for nature trips, walking, and birding during the warmer months. In the right seasons, you may see wild blueberries, wildflowers, or colorful foliage. 3309 Horseshoe Run Rd, Parsons, 26287, WV; 304-478-2481; Website; Rest Right. Red Creek Campground lies inside the Dolly Sods Scenic Area along Forest Road 75. Dolly Sods Wilderness. Elevation gain: 1,649 ft. GPS Info. It is located in the Grant, Randolph and Tucker Counties of West Virginia. And this hike, Dolly Sods/Lions Head, that combines the best parts of the first 2, as well as the view from the Lions Head on Breathed Mountain. Drove up friday morning and hiked about 4 miles in. Duration: 3 days. The Class Act, Davis, , WV; Website; Camp Horsehoe. A popular hike is Blackbird Knob to Harman to Rocky Ridge Loop, which is a 6.3-mile trail. The Dolly Sods Wilderness area is located in the Monongahela National Forest. They burned the logged areas to try to get good grass cover for grazing. Trails Used, Day 1. There was extensive timbering done on top of the mountain. Note that none of the trails in the Dolly Sods area are blazed, however they are well marked with signage. For a 19.4-mile (3 nights is best) lollipop loop that showcases the best of Dolly Sods, take the Rohrbaugh Plains Trail north from the Dolly Sods Picnic Area on Forest Service Road 19. The trails are maintained to wilderness standards. The Dolly Sods is open year-round, but in the winter you can only access the Dolly Sods from Forest Service Road 80 or the Red Creek trailhead. Beginning your hikes from the Red Creek Campground gives you plenty of good options. John 6 Comments. Best 10 Camping Trails in Dolly Sods Wilderness | AllTrails 800-436-6254 / Contact Us . Wikipedia Vernon R Martin. in Camping, Backpacking, Photography. Needless to say, the Dolly Sods Wilderness is renowned for its beauty, but beauty is not the reason I went. It will, however, be my reason for going again in the spring. Camping and open campfires are prohibited within 300 feet of Forest Road 19 and Forest Road 75 except at Red Creek Campground. Plentiful good camping spots allows for adapting it for up to 4 or 5 days. Yoakum's has several cottages as well as a motel. The climate and plant life here resembles Northern Canada. When it comes to hiking or camping outdoors, finding some sort of portable emergency water purification solution is an important safety part of your trip. Was definetly cold with temps in the upper 20s during the day. Simply the drive from one end to the other will leave you feeling as if you drove through another planet. Tomlison Run State Park is the only state park in West Virginia that offers campers the opportunity to camp in a yurt. Dolly Sods is perhaps the most southerly region in the Western Hemisphere where one can find sub-arctic tundra. We arrived at the top of the mountain around 1030 pm, and were surprised to find a lot of the roadside parking was full, and the campground with its 11 or so sites was also full. I didnt get a chance to go here either, but I wouldve liked to. Now that is rustic and cool. Car Camping Near Dolly Sods. Wed bring the bikes as usual, and otherwise try to travel light and prepare for cool weather. (I agree). For this adventure, well be exploring a very unique area of West Virginia the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area. Rock climbers flock to this area to scale the 900-foot rock faces above the North Fork River. The route we chose through Dolly Sods was of a length and difficulty we would typically choose for an easy day hike. In 1975, the Congress designated the area as protected wilderness, which is now comprised of more than 17,700 acres and 47 miles of trails. Its geography is a unique mix of stone and bog, supporting a variety of vegetation, with lots of pine trees and rhododendrons. In July, I described temperatures 25 degrees lower than in a town 10 miles away. The Best Places to Elope in West Virginia. Moving along to number four on our list is Dolly Sods Wilderness. It is windy in Dolly Sods in the best of weather, particularly on the ridges in the northern section. 1. 11:37 a.m. on January 11, 2013 (EST) In my top 10 list of places to hike (which is rapidly growing), Dolly Sods has to be in the top 5. You can backcountry camp anywhere in the Sods, so long as you are 100 yards away from the road. Dolly Sods Plan for a camping elopement, hike after your wedding, or simply relax by a campfire and swap stories. Find unique places to stay with local hosts in 191 countries. The Dolly Sods Wilderness is a large wilderness by Mid-Atlantic standards at 17,371 acres. The Dolly Sods are some of the best backpacking grounds in the Eastern US. One of the best wild sections is the 25-mile stretch in Hocking Hills State Park, which includes the Grandma Gatewood Trail and just about every kind of landscape the state has to offer: forests, rolling hills, caves, waterfalls, and lazy streams. You can expect to encounter old railroad grades and logging roads and some trails may require crossing a stream. You can hike or bike around on our property. The high plateaus of Dolly Sods are made up of wind carved sand stone, stunted red spruce, grassy meadows, and sphagnum bogs. The plant life here resembles what one might find in Canada, with tie-dye patterns of lichen on ash-grey boulders and plants that arent otherwise found regionally. From the Dolly Sods high plateau and wind-stunted red spruce, Bear Rocks Trail descends gradually to bogs and a crossing at Red Creek. While youre there, you should really consider visiting all or at least one of the following five destinations. Here are links to both: GRANT LICENSE + TUCKER LICENSE. The rain had nearly stopped when we arrived, but as soon as we thought about setting up the tents, the heavens opened. Looking for someplace relatively convenient to set up camp late at night. Discover the best spots for 2021 West Virginia fall foliage here. From the east, the road winds 9 miles or so to the top of Dolly Sods. Creeks drain the plateau into Red Creek, ultimately feeding into the Cheat River. Policy on guarantees. Located in West Virginia, Dolly Sods Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest is 17,371 acres and part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. One of the two best backpacking places on the east coast (not in New Hampshire), the other place being the Mt Rogers National Recreation Area, specifically the area around Grayson Highlands. Dolly Sods is perfect for those looking for some remote solitude or wanting to test their wilderness abilities. 9. So aggressive, in fact, that it created fire problems. Jun 3, 2022 - Rent from people in Dolly Sods Wilderness, WV from $20/night. Fishing and hunting is also allowed. 2. Dolly Sods is the highest plateau east of the Mississippi River and ecompasses most of the North Fork of the Red Creek Drainage. Dolly Sods area was home to an aggressive logging industry. Get rates. It is one of the highest points in West Virginia and as a result the vistas are unlike any other on the East Coast. The area is full of hiking trails, camping areas and mountain ridges with views from the top of the world. This is the largest parking area in The Dolly Sods Wilderness, which is one of the most popular places for backpacking in the state. Date: September 5th-7th, 2020. My Favorite Places in West Virginia: Seneca Rocks, Dolly Sods, and Thomas Seneca Rocks. You can backcountry camp anywhere in the Sods, so long as you are 100 yards away from the road. You do not need a permit to get married in Dolly Sods, though we do suggest keeping your guest list at a minimum and carpooling. And the best backpacking area in the Mid-Atlantic is Dolly Sods Wilderness in West Virginia. 10. Dolly Sods has 47 miles of hiking trails and 19 trails total. It's a topic that's been troubling you for a while. Our favorite spot is the Upper Red Creek Trail. Giving the maximum possible quality in all is the best approach to ensure consumers have a good experience while shopping. Directions: (From Forest Service Website) From Petersburg follow WV 28/55 south to Jordan Run Road. Backpacking the Dolly Sods Wilderness. Turn right and go 1 mile to Forest Road 19. In about 2.21 miles, you will come to Stonecoal Run Creek. Bear Rocks Trail; Straight (west) on Raven Ridge Trail; Camp along the Raven Ridge Trail near the intersection with Beaver View Trail There are multiple small to large sized camping spots on A deer next to a campsite in Dolly Sods. The main roads leading into the Dolly Sods area of Monongahela National Forest include Jordan Run Road and the Appalachian Highway (WV-32). Hiking the wind-scoured plains of the Dolly Sods Wilderness, its hard to imagine the mortar shells that once rained down on this isolated corner of West Virginia. The Dolly Sods Wilderness contains much of the Red Creek drainage and contains bog and heath eco-types, more commonly typical to southern Canada. (PDF Version). Reviewed on Jan 8, 2022. Just wanted to jump in and give a quick report on our first trip of the year and my first hammock trip. RA-680 Multi-Purpose Plastic In terlocking Moving Dolly Utility Cart, 440 LBS/ Dolly Weight It consists of 17,371 acres of some of the most beautiful land in the whole state of West Virginia. Rock climbers flock to this area to scale the 900-foot rock faces above the North Fork River. Our favorite spot is the Upper Red Creek Trail. At just 0.7 miles, Beaver Dam Trail is one of the shortest trails in Dolly Sods Wilderness. The Dolly Sods have dozens of ideal primitive camping locations with cleared areas for Canaan Valley is the site of the first commercial ski resort in West Virginia, and also boasts being the 500th National Wildlife Refuge in the country. We are driving out Friday evening, so we need a good place to car camp near the trailhead for Dolly Sods. we found our way to camp #1. Sleeps up to 6 people. 1. The 17,371 acre Dolly Sods Wilderness is located in Grant, Randolph and Tucker Counties, West Virginia. Here are three winter-worthy adventures in the Sods: 1. Primitive tent camping. Dolly Sods Wilderness is a high plateau forming the east side of the Canaan Valley of West Virginia. The Rocky Ridge Trail at the Dolly Sods Wilderness in Tucker County, West Virginia is a moderate 3 mile one-way trail that runs along the northwest corner of the wilderness. If youre looking to car camp, you have one option, but its a really good one. The 17,371 acre Dolly Sods Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. It is located in Grant, Randolph, and Tucker Counties, West Virginia. If you really want to rough it, you can backpack into a campsite, carrying your tent. For Bear Rocks Trail to Raven Ridge Trail and Dobbin Grade Trail. ! There are multiple paths to the top, marked with dots showing the routes and difficulty, but you dont have to climb Seneca Rocks to enjoy the area. Difficulty ranges from easy to difficult and distances range from about a quarter-mile to nearly six and a half miles long. We are close to Dolly Sods Wilderness area and are off of Jordan Run Rd. Smoke Hole Canyon, on the South Branch, on the other side of the mountains from Seneca Rocks, is beautiful, and a great place to fly fish. In 1975, the Congress designated the area as protected wilderness, which is now comprised of more than 17,700 acres and 47 miles of trails. I prepared the camping gear and got the kids briefed. The trip starts off along the Bear Rocks Trail which heads downhill from the parking lot. Tomlinson Run State Park, Hancock County. Here's a link to the U.S. Forest Service trail map for Dolly Sods which includes the Red Creek area trails. Rocky Ridge Trail. Camp here for the night. Difficulty: Easy. Location: Dolly Sods Wilderness, WV. At mile 2.4, I veered right at Raven Ridge Trail, which rolls over an expansive meadow, into a forested area, and connects with Rocky Ridge Trail at 3.8 miles. This area features unique scenery and 4. My Favorite Places in West Virginia: Seneca Rocks, Dolly Sods, and Thomas Seneca Rocks. Let's be clear about the 3 different zones of Dolly Sods: The southern portion of Dolly Sods is the original wilderness area from the 1970s. Camping along Red Creek is popular and can be crowded with weekend backpackers, but it's still one of West Virginia's most spectacular places. Its a small, primitive campground with only 12 sites and no electrical or water hookups. Travel. Creeks drain the plateau into Red Creek, ultimately feeding into the Cheat River. In the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia, lies the Monongahela National Forest. The rustic cabin has no electric but has solar lights inside and one outside. It has to be one of the wildest and most beautiful places in the East. By having a healthy water filtering method in hand, you can ensure a pleasant safe trip no matter where you go.