Dolly Sods Backcountry Circuit

At 4,000 feet above sea level, Dolly Sods feels more like Canada than West Virginia — windswept heath barrens stretch for miles, interrupted by massive sandstone boulders and cranberry bogs that survived the last ice age. The backcountry circuit follows old logging roads and fire trails across this unique plateau, winding past Blackbird Knob and through the infamous Bear Rocks formation where hikers come to watch sunrise over the Canaan Valley below.

This is moderate territory requiring high-clearance vehicles and careful navigation — the rocky fire roads can be punishing on stock suspension, and sudden weather changes above treeline catch drivers off-guard year-round. Spring through fall offers the best conditions, though snow can linger into May at elevation. No permits required, but dispersed camping follows Leave No Trace principles in this fragile ecosystem. You’ll earn panoramic views across three states and experience one of the Mid-Atlantic’s most unexpected landscapes.