Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, West Virginia
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Up in the Allegheny Mountains in the northeast part of West Virginia, is Dolly Sods Wilderness Area—part of the Monongahela National Forest. “Sods” is a term for a local mountaintop meadow, and that’s what you’ll find at Dolly Sods. It’s a large, open, craggy, and mountainous area with a wide array of beautiful terrain.
West Virginia is known for its rugged wilderness, and Dolly Sods is no different. When you’re really looking to get away from things, it’s the perfect place. Plus, you can enjoy nature to its fullest extent and still come back at the end of the day to enjoy your rental RV.
Fishing throughout the entire Monongahela National Forest is renowned, and it’s no different inside Dolly Sods. Fishing at these high altitudes gives you a unique experience in the rivers and streams that run through the area. Whether you’re an experienced fly fisherman or a weekend angler looking for a few fish, you’ll find them here.
There is plentiful trout throughout all the streams, including the Red Creek that runs through the Dolly Sods. There are also many small ponds and lakes scattered throughout the area. If you’re fishing in Dolly Sods, you are required to have a license which can be purchased online.
There are about 47 miles worth of hiking and backpacking trails throughout the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area. Trails range from under a half mile to just under five. The terrain can be easy-going at times, but because of the rocky nature of the area, it’s highly recommended that you come wearing sturdy hiking books.
Nineteen total trails stretch out across the area, with many intersecting and merging to form much longer hikes. All of the trails offer you views of different types of land and rock formations, plus a variety of other ecological views including high altitude bogs and heaths. Many of the trails follow old logging roads and it’s not uncommon to come across old railroad ties or remnants from history.
Dolly Sods is particularly popular in the summer months. Summers tend to be cool and wet, making it pleasant to spend time without having to factor in the heat. The area is also well-known for its berries.
In the mid-summer months, many people flock to Dolly Sods in order to pick both blueberries and huckleberries. If you’re not used to doing your own berry picking, you’ll find that it’s a fun family pastime. Then, with your berry haul, you can make a fresh cobbler or other dessert in the kitchen of your RV.
While there’s a wide variety of land types in the area—fern-ridden meadows, creeks, wind-swept vistas, rocky outcroppings—there are also numerous interesting rock formations that draw many hikers and sight-seers every year.
The rocks jut up and around throughout most of the wilderness area, even in areas that are boggy and wet. The wind and water (as well as a long history of wildfires plus some military testing) have shaped the rocks and left smooth, rounded, and shapely formations sitting in the area.
Dolly Sods is a particularly fun area to visit if you’re interested in plants. While you may not see much in the way of wildlife, birds do frequent the area and love the spruce trees that grow there. Because the ecology of the area is so diverse and rare in the United States, it’s a great opportunity to see plants you may not see elsewhere in the country.
Red spruce trees are common here (and because the area is high, it’s also windy. You can see the spruce trees bend and sway in the wind). It’s also very boggy, with some bogs being thigh-high or higher. These cranberry bogs and heath barrens make for great berry picking. Grassy balds and hardwood forests are also here, and you’ll even see plenty of cattails near the many watery areas.
As far as the campgrounds in these areas go, none has quite the view that Red Creek Campground does. It sits on top of the Allegheny Plateau, offering you a wide, sweeping vista to view all around you. It’s a primitive campground, so you’re camping exclusively for the lovely views—which include laurel, rhododendron, and azalea flowerings in mid-summer.
If you’re looking for more of a resort-type of RV campground, Revelle’s River Resort is what you want. With full utility hookups including Wi-Fi and cable TV, it also has a host of other amenities as well. Laundry, clean restrooms, a splash pad and playgrounds, plus river access for fishing and onsite tube rentals mean you can have plenty of fun without ever leaving your home-away-from-home.
The paved sites at Canaan Valley Resort have direct access to hiking trails—and that’s a nice way to enjoy your RV vacation. Full utility hookups and free Wi-Fi also keep your RV stocked and your family entertained. There’s also a “comfort station,” with laundry and hot showers available year-round. The camp store also helps you make sure you’ve got everything you need while you’re there and before you hit the road again.
The views don’t get much better than at Riverside Cabins and RV Park. The RV sites have full utility hookups, with free Wi-Fi available. It sits on the banks of the Potomac River, which means you can slip over and fish if you feel the urge. Mini golf, a swimming pool, and a “gem mine” mean the entire family will stay entertained no matter how far into your vacation you are.
The campground at Alpine Shores gives you a great blend of rustic nature with modern comfort. Surrounded by forest, every site still has full RV hookups. Otherwise, you’ll be roughing it. There aren’t any of the other amenities like laundry or those things, but there’s plenty of access to nature—and you can fish nearby as well.
There aren’t any restaurants or dining inside Dolly Sods, but you’re in an RV with a rolling kitchen. Plan ahead and decide on some meals you can carry with you easily. Sandwiches are great for a long hike. It’s also recommended that you bring plenty of fresh water into the area—or if you need to drink locally, plan to treat it ahead of time.
Not terribly far from Dolly Sods, you’ll find West Virginia Route 32. If you’re hungry and looking for restaurants, you’ll want to jump on this road. Here, you’ll find a wide variety of dining—albeit not necessarily close together. Near Canaan Valley, you’ll find lots of “down-home” cooking with things like chicken and dumplings and ribs and other barbecue. In the small town of Davis, you’ll find a slightly wider variety of food. Diners, burrito joints, and even a few craft breweries with food options as well.
There’s a decent crowd draw to both Canaan Valley and Davis, West Virginia, so you certainly won’t go hungry. If you’re planning on doing your stay at Dolly Sods, though, take note: Davis is about an hour’s drive away on the Appalachian Highway. You won’t regret the gorgeous scenery of the trip, but if you’re already hungry, you may want to have a snack first.