dolly sods wilderness area

We drove through this striking area. To think that it was covered with mature trees at one time. After logging, a series of forest fires and erosion reduced the top of the mountain to a pile of rocks. it was a memorial visit.

My husband and I love this place. The drive is a bit long and up a gravel road but worth it. It's so beautiful! There isn't anything up here in the way of food or shopping just the views. It's a nice place to go relax take in some fresh air and enjoy the view. I suggest packing a lunch and enjoying your time there. There is an area you can go out on the rocks and get some pictures so wear good shoes.

This rugged WV mountain top is close to the Canaan Valley ski area. A sign marks the twisty road up just south of the resort on rt. 32. We drove down from Deep Creek MD, 50 miles, to find snow to use our new snow shoes. An unusual warm spell and shortage of snow at lower altitude sent us to Dolly Sods where yes, there was an abundance of snow in mid February. The steep, windy road requires all wheel drive and there are days I would not even attempt the climb so use a good dose of judgement in the winter. At the top of the steep climb, maybe 4 miles, we parked along the gravel road in one of the few clear spots, got into our snow shoes and walked through the pristine spruce and scrub forest along a couple of the unimproved but marked trails. We saw no one in our 3 hour visit. For solitude and deep snow it's great in winter but again be warned the ride up can be dangerous, even impossible in Jan and Feb.

I've gone three times in early October when (in my opinion) it's at its most gorgeous. It's lovely, year-round, though. While I've read the trails are badly-marked, that wasn't my experience the first time I hiked there, so I thought the situation had improved since it got that reputation. Then the next two times I hiked there (including a repeat of my first hike), I lost the trail a couple times. So enjoy, but be careful out there!

I went to Dolly Sods on a cloudy day, so it was rather foggy and I couldn't see a whole lot of the landscape. Despite that, I had a great time out in the solitude.Cars can make it up the hill--I saw Honda Civics, Toyota Yarises, and Ford Mustangs in the parking lot at the top of the hill. I drove up in a generic sedan and made it up the hill just fine. Just drive slowly--Forest Service Road 75 is gravel and fairly level - there are a few potholes and it is a one-lane road for the most part. It's not a terribly steep hill. I've never gone to Dolly Sods via the south entrance, so I don't know if that way's any easier.Stay on the marked trails--it's easy to get lost once off of it. Cell phones don't work that well--you might be able to get a signal. As to be expected in the wilderness, there's no facilities (bathrooms/food/water, etc.).Dolly Sods is a quiet and peaceful location 3 hours from Washington, DC. There were other people there the day I visited, but it's easy to be all alone there. I would like to go back on a sunny day.

Dolly Sods is full of fun history and various habitats, great place to visit for the nature lovers, and if you go at the right time make sure to pick some blueberries to munch on. Great experience for the family and be sure to bring a good camera.

If you like to hike then this is the place to go. It can be a bit crowded at times but once you start walking nothing else matters. Visit Bear Rocks or Lion's Head, hike to Canaan Valley and back for a day trip or walk along Red Creek. It doesn't matter where you go all that matters is that you are out enjoying nature. PS former owners were the Dahlie Family but as it is a German name it was changed to Dolly when acquired by the Forest Service.

Very distinctive landscape of rocks and boulders. Looks amazing in fall !Best part is that you don't need a hike, you can just drive there and explore this beautiful place. Don't forget to bring your dslr.Also, other scenic spots are within an hour or so. You can cover Blackwater Falls, Dolly Sods, Cooper's Rock and Ravens Rock in 2 to 3 days!Definitely worth a visit.

Very distinctive landscape of rocks and boulders. Looks amazing in fall ! Best part is that you don't need a hike, you can just drive there and explore this beautiful place. Don't forget to bring your dslr.Also, other scenic spots are within an hour or so. You can cover Blackwater Falls, Dolly Sods, Cooper's Rock and Ravens Rock in 2 to 3 days!Definitely worth a visit.

Dolly Sods for most people will be a 13 mile drive down a dirt road, with a few scenic lookouts and culminating at Bear Rocks, which can't be missed. Even if this is your limit (no hiking or camping) it is still worth the drive. Having beaten every scenic path and drive in VA and WV, this is still our favorite place. Climate and topography is like northern Maine or Canada; you will see wildlife, conifers that only grow a thousand miles away otherwise, and heaths, heathers and barrens that feel like Scotland. If you want to hike on well marked trails try the neighboring Red Creek area, however, it desn't feel like Dolly Sods -- nothing else does. Weather is brutal so plan for it. Accomodations in the nearby towns of Cabins, WV or in Canaan/Davis (access via Lanesville Road) are the closest. Try to visit off-peak as it is becoming a bit too well-known!!

NOTHING in this part of the country is easy to get to, something only 10 miles away can take 40 minutes to get to. The views and unique landscape here is completely worth it, but this area of WV is only worth visiting if you live hiking and being outdoors. There aren't many tourist traps, and very little network coverage.

Don't visit the Sods. I want to keep it all to myself. The place is awesome for hikers and photographers.

Dolly Sods is a beautiful area sitting high atop a mountain range on a plain of sorts.One can get to the top of Dolly Sods via a fire ride (which are gravel and fairly well maintained) - you don't necessarily need a 4WD or AWD to get there but understand you'll be driving 10+ miles on gravelly type roads so you car will get dusty/muddy and maybe dinged a bit from the rocks.There are loads of paths to explore anywhere you want to go. The area intersperses between boggy heaths/heather to alpine forests. Also be mindful of the temperature. Whatever the temperature is in Washington DC...subtract 20 from and factor in high winds - that's what you'll encounter on the Sods.Have fun!

This is my fourth time returning to Dolly Sods for a two night backapack. Every time I am there I am in awe of the beautiful scenery. From the jaw dropping waterworks of Dolly Sods south, to the eerie mist filled ridge hiking of Dolly Sods North, you are guaranteed to see something amazing and beautiful every single time. Must sees are the falls and shoots of the south, the subarctic terrain of the high ridges, the forks and of course, the unbelievable views from Lion's head.

I took a short backpacking trip with my husband in the Dolly Sods Wilderness area. I can't believe we waited so long to go. I saw some of the most sublime scenery I have ever experienced in this part of the country. It's commonly said that the area resembles northern Canada, and it really is true.A network of trails crisscrosses the wilderness, with many excellent campsites to be found. This allowed us to be picky in choosing a place to spend the night, which was greatly appreciated. The weather was good while we were there, but we were warned that some of the trails were boggier than others, and I have read that Red Creek can run pretty high after a rain. None of these things are necessarily problems if you come prepared, but they're good to know before you arrive! The trails are marked with posts at junctions, but it's definitely a good idea to bring a map. Berry bushes are plentiful, and if you are there when the berries are in season, you are definitely in for a treat. There is nothing like the taste of a sun-warmed blueberry while hiking.Another important thing to note is that the Dolly Sods Wilderness was used as a practice shelling range during WWII. Although the area has been swept, it's still possible to encounter (potentially) live ordinance. Stay on the trail, and if you find anything, don't touch it! The signs at the trailheads have good instructions on how to proceed if you do come across an unexploded shell.The road to reach the Dolly Sods plateau is unpaved and narrow, and can be slow going. Take this into account when planning your trip. I haven't visited the Wilderness's campground, but according to the Forest Service website, it's a primitive campground with vault toilets and no drinking water, so plan to bring your own supply.Two months after our trip, I'm amazed that we had the opportunity to visit such a beautiful wilderness area that was a relatively short distance from Washington, D.C. We hope to go back in the fall to see the leaves changing!