Dolly Sods is a high-altitude plateau located in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia. Visiting feels like you are in Alaska or some far-off tunrdra because of the unique landscape of bogs, heath barrens, and rocky plains. There is a prominent spring at Red Creek Campground that is potablefor camp uses, but hard to find any information on. Plus several other springs in the wilderness. Some people say it’s safe to drink the spring water at Red Creek Campground, others say to filter it. So, until we are able to get testing done it is recommended to plan to test or filter the water since the area draws a lot of visitors. National Forest website also recomends filtering the spring water. The area was hitorically used for military drills; yet another reason to filter the water. Please also used established trails because of the danger of lost artillery from this time of military training.
Because of the natural bogs, avoid this are after or during rain. Huckleberries can be foraged here in late summer.
Getting there is a bit of a mission, so plan to camp and enjoy the trails:
From Petersburg follow WV 28/55 south to Jordan Run Road. Turn right and go 1 mile to Forest Road 19. Turn left and follow FR 19 six miles to the Dolly Sods Scenic Area. The wilderness is directly ahead of you at the intersection with FR 75. Turn right for Wildlife and Fisher Spring trailheads; turn left for Rohrbaugh and Red Creek trailheads.
From Canaan Valley: follow WV 32 south to the Laneville Road (WV 45). Turn left and go approximately 6 miles to the Red Creek Bridge, where the road changes from pavement to gravel and is now Forest Road 19. Red Creek trailhead is on the left behind the Laneville wildlife management cabin. Continue on FR 19 to get to Rohrbaugh trailhead and FR 75
Closest Towns are Petersburg, WV and Canaan Valley, WV. Or, about 4 hours away from Baltimore/DC Metro area.
Find a Forest Service recreation map & more information here.
