Bear Rocks and Allegheny Front Preserve
At a Glance
Bear Rocks Preserve sits along the eastern continental divide at the northeastern edge of Dolly Sods Wilderness, offering dramatic sandstone outcrops, blueberry barrens, and panoramic Allegheny Front views. The easy 0.75-mile Bear Rocks Loop Trail makes this one of West Virginia’s most photographed sunrise and sunset destinations, while rare high-elevation plants and migrating birds attract naturalists year-round. Managed by The Nature Conservancy, the preserve offers family-friendly access and direct connections to the Dolly Sods Wilderness for longer backpacking trips.
Activities
- Hiking
Features
- Mountain Views
- Wildflower
- Rock Features
Difficulty
Season
All Year; Day-Use
Limited Winter Access
Area Trails
Trail Name
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Recreation Sites
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Safety
The Bear Rocks Loop Trail features steep cliffs; please exercise caution when exploring.
Camping, Horseback Riding, and Mountain Biking are prohibited.
Cell service may not be available during your hike. Please plan accordingly and always follow Leave No Trace principles.
Forest Roads to Bear Rocks are not cleared in winter and gated from January to April.
Directions
From Petersburg, take WV-42 north for 12 miles and turn left onto Jordan Run Rd. Continue for 5 miles, turning left onto Brushy Ridge Rd. Continue for 5 miles to the parking area.
From Seneca Rocks, take WV-28 north for 12 miles, then turn left onto Jordan Run Road. Continue for 8 miles, then turn left onto Brushy Ridge Rd for 5 miles to the parking area.
From Thomas and Davis, follow US-32 south for approximately 15 miles to Dryfork. Turn left onto Bonner Mountain Rd. Continue straight onto Laneville Rd. and FR 19 for 17.5 miles to the parking area.
Nearby Towns
Downtown
15 Minutes
30 Minutes
60 Minutes
