Forest Road 75 Dolly Sods North-South Traverse

Forest Road 75 delivers the quintessential Dolly Sods experience, running the plateau from Bear Rocks north to the Red Creek trailhead south through landscapes that look more like the Canadian Rockies than Appalachia. The road skirts the eastern edge of the wilderness, passing through wind-sculpted spruce forests and crossing Red Creek twice at rocky fords that can be dicey during spring runoff. The real highlight comes around mile 12 where you’ll hit the overlooks above Blackbird Knob — panoramic views across the Potomac drainage that’ll make you forget you’re in West Virginia.

Moderate difficulty requiring high clearance and decent ground clearance for the creek crossings, though most capable SUVs can handle it in dry conditions. The rocky sections will beat up low-profile tires, so come prepared. Best from May through October when the road isn’t buried under snow, though summer thunderstorms can turn the creek crossings sketchy fast. No permits required for driving, but this is primitive country — bring extra fuel, water, and emergency gear. Multiple pull-offs offer excellent dispersed camping with some of the darkest night skies on the East Coast.