Dolly Sods Wilderness Bear Rocks Loop

The Dolly Sods Wilderness Bear Rocks Loop is a 5-to-10-mile route through the Dolly Sods Wilderness in Tucker and Grant Counties, West Virginia, within the Monongahela National Forest—one of the most distinctive high-altitude plateaus in the eastern United States. The Bear Rocks Preserve parking area sits at the end of Laneville Road off WV-28, offering free roadside parking. No trailhead permit is required, though a wilderness ethic is expected throughout. The landscape of Dolly Sods is unlike anywhere else in the Appalachians: an open, wind-scoured plateau of heath barrens, sphagnum bogs, flagged spruce trees, and quartzite outcrops at elevations between 3,700 and 4,000 feet. Bear Rocks itself—a prominent quartzite formation just off the parking area—provides immediate sweeping views north into Pennsylvania and west across the Allegheny highlands. Trail markings within the wilderness are minimal; routes are defined by cairns and worn footpaths, and navigation skills with a map or GPS device are essential. The terrain alternates between open heathland, boggy depressions requiring waterproof footwear, and rocky ridgeline traverses. Elevation gain varies from 300 to 600 feet depending on the chosen loop route. Water sources from bog pools exist throughout the plateau but require treatment before drinking; carry at least 3 liters from the trailhead. No shelters are available within the wilderness. Black bears are common; food should be hung or stored in a bear canister. Weather conditions can deteriorate rapidly even in midsummer, with fog and thunderstorms developing quickly on the exposed plateau.