Overview
Dolly Sods is the most distinctive landscape in Monongahela National Forest and one of the most unusual ecosystems in the eastern United States. The 10,215-acre wilderness sits on the Allegheny Front at elevations between 3,600 and 4,400 feet, where the combination of harsh weather, acidic soils, and a history of intense logging and fire created a heath barren that looks nothing like the surrounding Appalachian forest. Wide-open blueberry and Labrador tea scrub, sphagnum bogs, and scattered red spruce spread across a plateau with long views in every direction on clear days.
The 7-mile loop using the Red Creek and Rohrbaugh Plains trails gives hikers a thorough introduction to Dolly Sods. The loop descends into the Red Creek gorge steep, forested, and dramatically different from the open plateau then climbs back to the high heath barrens of the Rohrbaugh Plains section. The elevation changes are significant, and navigation in the open areas requires attention to trail markers that can be hard to spot when there are no trees for blazes.
This is one of the best hikes in West Virginia and draws visitors from the Washington DC and Pittsburgh areas year-round. Fall color here peaks in late September earlier than lower elevations and the combination of red cranberry foliage, golden blueberry scrub, and dark spruce creates color that attracts photographers from throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
The Route
Miles 0 to 1.5: From the Red Creek Campground trailhead, the loop heads onto the open plateau through the characteristic heath scrub. The wide-open character is immediately apparent. The trail can be wet underfoot bog mats cross the route in several places. Markers are widely spaced; follow them carefully.
Miles 1.5 to 3.5: The trail descends steeply into the Red Creek gorge. The forest in the gorge is dense red spruce and northern hardwood, a dramatic contrast to the open plateau above. Red Creek itself is clear and cold, flowing over rock slabs. Cascades appear at intervals. Several designated camping spots exist in the gorge.
Miles 3.5 to 5.5: The trail climbs out of the gorge on the west side and reaches the Rohrbaugh Plains section of the loop. This is the most open terrain in the loop, with views extending west across multiple Allegheny ridges. The health barren here is the most intact in the wilderness.
Miles 5.5 to 7: The return section crosses the plateau and drops back to the trailhead. The final descent involves some rocky footing on the steeper sections near the campground.
When to Visit
June through October is the main hiking season. June and July for wildflowers (flame azalea and native rhododendron are exceptional). Late August for ripe blueberries. Late September through mid-October for fall color this is peak season and the most crowded time. Weather on the plateau is highly variable; fog, rain, and temperatures well below valley temperatures can occur at any season.
Check conditions before visiting, particularly for forest road status (Forest Road 19 is closed in winter and sometimes spring).
What to Bring
- Many hikers carry 2 liters of water. Creek water is available throughout the loop with treatment. Individual needs vary.
- A warm layer and rain jacket: temperatures on the plateau can be 20°F cooler than the valley, and storms build quickly
- Waterproof boots or gaiters: bog sections can be very wet
- A detailed map or GPS track: navigation in the open heath is easy to lose without careful attention to markers
- Bear spray is an option; bears are present throughout
Practical Details
Vault toilet at the Red Creek Campground. No hiking fee (as of 2026). Dispersed camping is permitted in the wilderness, 200 feet from water. Follow Leave No Trace principles. See bear canister requirements for food storage. The national forest camping guide covers dispersed camping rules.
Getting There
From Petersburg, West Virginia, take State Route 28 north to Forest Road 19. Turn west on FR-19 (Dolly Sods Road) and follow it approximately 8 miles to the Red Creek Campground and trailhead. The road is unpaved and rough high-clearance vehicles are recommended. GPS coordinates are approximately 38.97°N, 79.37°W. Petersburg is in Grant County on US-220, approximately 35 miles southeast of Elkins.