Dolly Sods Dispersed Camping: A Gay Couple's Awe-Inspiring (and Slightly Overwhelmed) Adventure

Dolly Sods Wilderness Area in West Virginia – the name alone conjures images of wild beauty. For Javier, a city planner craving an escape from concrete grids, and Ben, a freelance photographer always chasing the perfect light, it promised a much-needed respite. Their energetic rescue dog, Coco, was equally excited. As an experienced car-camping couple, they felt prepared for anything, but dispersed camping in this unique landscape brought a mix of excitement and a healthy dose of nervousness. Would they find a spot? Could they truly leave no trace? Read on to join their adventure and learn everything you need to know about dispersed camping in Dolly Sods.

Finding Our Slice of Wilderness: Location & Ease of Finding

The drive to Dolly Sods is an adventure in itself. WV-150, also known as Forest Road 75, is undeniably scenic, winding through lush forests and offering glimpses of the stunning landscape to come. But be warned: the last five miles are on a well-maintained, but still rugged gravel road. Our trusty Subaru handled it with ease, but lower-clearance vehicles should proceed with caution. Cell service is extremely limited, so downloading offline maps beforehand is crucial. We highly recommend the Gaia GPS app for navigation.

To reach the popular Red Creek trailhead, plug these GPS coordinates into your device: 39.0901° N, 79.2947° W. Parking can be a challenge, especially on weekends. Arrive early (before 10 AM) to secure a spot, or consider visiting midweek for a more peaceful experience.

Setting Up Camp: The Dispersed Camping Reality

Finding the perfect dispersed campsite in Dolly Sods proved more challenging than anticipated. The area is popular, and suitable spots meeting the Leave No Trace guidelines are limited. The biggest rule to consider is that you must be at least 200 feet from any water source, including Red Creek. This eliminates many appealing riverside locations.

The terrain is also rocky and uneven. A freestanding tent is essential. We swear by our REI Co-op Half Dome 2 Plus tent, which provided ample space and stood strong against the wind. Securing the tent on the uneven ground required some creativity; we used our trekking poles as extra anchors for the guy lines.

Leave No Trace: Our Dispersed Camping Ethos

Dispersed camping comes with a significant responsibility: minimizing your impact on the environment. The Leave No Trace principles are paramount. Here’s how we put them into practice:

• Pack it in, pack it out: This should be obvious, but it’s worth repeating. Every scrap of trash, from food wrappers to pistachio shells (Javier's weakness!), must be carried out. Don't forget to pack out micro-trash like orange peels, cigarette butts, or even stray bits of plastic.
• Proper Human Waste Disposal: Since there are no bathrooms, you'll need to dig a "cat hole" for human waste. Use a lightweight trowel to dig a hole 6-8 inches deep and at least 200 feet from any water source. After use, cover the hole completely.
• Minimize Campfire Impacts: Campfires can have a significant impact on the environment and are often subject to fire bans, especially during dry seasons. We opted for a portable stove instead. Our trusty MSR PocketRocket 2 stove is lightweight, efficient, and leaves no trace.
• Respect Wildlife: Observe wildlife from a distance and never feed them. Store food properly in a bear canister or hang it from a tree.

Bathrooms & Showering: Embracing the Wild

Let's be clear: there are no bathrooms or showers in the dispersed camping areas of Dolly Sods. This requires a bit of planning and a willingness to embrace the wild.

We relied on biodegradable wipes for personal hygiene. Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes are a great option. For a more refreshing experience, we brought a portable camp shower. The Nemo Helio Pressure Shower uses foot-powered pressure to deliver a surprisingly effective shower.

Humorous Anecdote: Ben was enjoying a surprisingly warm shower under the Nemo Helio when Coco, mistaking the water stream for a play opportunity, suddenly leaped, bursting the nozzle off the shower and drenching Javier, who was holding the water bag, in freezing cold mountain water. Turns out, a playful rescue dog and pressurized water aren't the best mix!

Activities: Exploring Dolly Sods' Wonders

Dolly Sods offers a range of activities for outdoor enthusiasts. Here are some of our favorites:

Stargazing: Witnessing the Cosmic Canvas

Dolly Sods boasts exceptionally dark skies, making it a stargazer's paradise. With a Bortle Scale rating of 3-4, you can expect to see a breathtaking display of stars, planets, and even the Milky Way on clear nights. Bring a star chart app like SkyView Lite to identify constellations and planets. A high-powered binocular like the Celestron Skymaster 15x70 will enhance your viewing experience. For optimal viewing, plan your visit during a new moon, when the sky is at its darkest.

Landscape Photography: Capturing the Untamed Beauty

As a photographer, Ben was in heaven. Dolly Sods offers endless opportunities for stunning landscape photography. Bear Rocks Preserve is a particularly popular spot, offering panoramic views ideal for sunrise and sunset. The golden hour (the hour after sunrise and before sunset) and the blue hour (the hour before sunrise and after sunset) provide the best light for capturing the vibrant colors of the landscape.

Ben recommends using a wide-angle lens, such as the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM, to capture the vastness of the scenery. If you're visiting in the fall (mid-October), be prepared for a riot of color. Ben advises using a polarizing filter to reduce glare and enhance the saturation of the foliage.

Foraging: Tread Carefully and Know Your Stuff

Dolly Sods is home to a variety of edible mushrooms, including chanterelles and morels. However, foraging should only be undertaken with extreme caution. Proper identification is crucial, as many mushrooms are poisonous. We strongly recommend consulting resources like mushroomexpert.com and joining a local mycological society for guided forays. Never consume any mushroom unless you are 100% certain of its edibility.

Gear Recommendations: What We Packed

Here’s a list of gear we found essential for our dispersed camping trip to Dolly Sods:

• REI Co-op Half Dome 2 Plus tent
• MSR PocketRocket 2 stove
• Nemo Helio Pressure Shower
• Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes
• Gaia GPS app (offline maps)
• Celestron Skymaster 15x70 binoculars
• Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM lens (if applicable)
• Black Diamond Spot 350 headlamp

Viral Video Concept: Bear Hang Blues

(Short 15-30 second TikTok/Instagram Reel)

HOOK: (0-3 seconds) Coco suddenly and rapidly pulls a rope tied to a stuff sack filled with food, nearly yanking Javier off his feet. The bag is comically low to the ground, practically within Coco’s reach.

SCENE: Style: Comedy. Lighting: Golden hour, shot outdoors in Dolly Sods. Camera Work: GoPro POV from Javier’s perspective, shaky camera movements emphasizing the struggle. Wide shot establishes the forest setting.

TWIST: (Payoff) Javier finally manages to hoist the bag a few feet off the ground. Coco, unexpectedly, begins frantically digging at the base of the tree, attempting to bury the food. Close-up of Coco's muddy snout, looking triumphantly at the camera. Text overlay: "Coco's Dispersed Camping 'Help'."

Conclusion: A Wilderness Worth Respecting

Dolly Sods is a truly special place, a unique and beautiful wilderness that deserves our respect. Dispersed camping allows for an intimate connection with nature, but it also requires a commitment to responsible stewardship. By following Leave No Trace principles, we can ensure that this incredible landscape remains pristine for generations to come. The challenges of dispersed camping, from finding a suitable campsite to navigating without facilities, are outweighed by the rewards: stunning scenery, unparalleled stargazing, and a deep sense of connection with the natural world. And, of course, the added joy (and occasional chaos) of experiencing it all with our furry companion, Coco.