Dolly Sods Wilderness
Dolly Sods Wilderness in Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia
Being a West Virginian, Dolly Sods has a special place in my heart. It is so peaceful and beautiful, especially at peak leaf season in the fall.
You can find all kinds of information to help you plan a visit on the Forest Service Dolly Sods website.
Places to stay
There are a lot of options for places to stay in (camping) and around Dolly Sods.
On my trip, I decided to stay in Davis, West Virginia, at Milo’s.
Hiking
Dolly Sods has tons of trails to choose from, and here are my tips:
Head to Bear Rocks Preserve before sunrise to get a good parking spot at the trailhead and to see one of the most beautiful sunrises on Earth.
From there, you can head out on Bear Rocks Trail and peel off onto so many of the trails inside the national forest.
The Dolly Sods mud really is something else. I read about it before I went and didn’t take the warnings too seriously. Then, out on the trails, the mud nearly yanked my boots off. Wear sturdy shoes and be ready to get them dirty.
If you go during peak leaf season, bring plenty of layers and expect to bundle up early in the morning. It will be cold.
Food
Milo’s has a restaurant downstairs from its guest rooms with some gluten free options and the menu changes every so often. While I was there I absolutely loved hearing local musicians during open mic nights. There is a grocery store down the road as well if you need to grab any snacks or other items while you’re in town.
A few other recommendations in the area:
Hellbender Burritos (you can get any of their burritos as a bowl)
Big Belly Deli (they have gluten free bread)
Places nearby to consider visiting
Blackwater Falls State Park
It’s hard to pick the best views of West Virginia during leaf season, but Blackwater Falls is up at the top of the list.
Get all the info you need on the WV State Parks website.
Canaan Loop Road
This long, windy and gorgeous drive around Canaan Valley is worth your time. Click here for a Google maps link to where to enter the drive from the Davis area.
Otter Creek Wilderness
About an hour away from Davis you can explore the Otter Creek Wilderness, a beautiful set of trails through a different area of the Monongahela National Forest.
New River Gorge
And if you’re up for a bit of a road trip, the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is a few hours away and is also worth your time.
