American Hiking Legacy Project- Dolly Sods Vistas & Famous Blackwater Falls, WV
June 14, 2026 - June 20, 2026
Trip Navigation
***Special Promotion*** All trip participants will receive a Fjällräven Kånken R backpack (valued at $100) generously donated by our good friends at Fjällräven. Made from recycled materials and ready for adventure!
In the beautiful Dolly Sods Wilderness Area volunteers will work on a boardwalk that was constructed 20 years ago with help from the American Hiking Society!
Hiking through the beautiful meadows and across the rolling streams to access our work site each day volunteers will also complete rock work and tread work, including moving rock from the trail, rock armoring muddy sections, and building rock causeways to assist with keeping visitors on the trail and no creating social trails.
Dolly Sods is a Wilderness area with 17,371 acres and 47 miles of trails. Dolly Sods is unique in that it contains bog and heath eco-types, more commonly typical to southern Canada. The elevations in the higher country range over 4,700 feet and the lower elevation of the red creek drainage drops to 2,500 feet. The area is located high in the Allegheny Plateau, with extensive rocky plains, upland bogs, and sweeping vistas. The area offers many opportunities for hiking (over 400 miles of trails with an hour drive), rock climbing opportunities at Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area and miles of mountain bike trails.
There is no experience needed to join a Volunteer Vacation! Your expert hosts will provide detailed instruction, tool demonstrations, and project oversight throughout the week. All you need is a willing attitude and to be in good physical condition to participate in moderate physical activity for approximately 6-8 hours a day with plenty of breaks, at your own pace. Find out more about what it’s like to join a Volunteer Vacation and other frequently asked questions here.
Avg. Temperature:
Typical weather for this area during this season has highs of roughly 75–80°F and lows of 50–55°F. Mid-June in the Monongahela highlands is warm and humid with regular chances of showers and thunderstorms.
Sample Schedule:
Day 1: Arrival
Typically meet in the afternoon for check in, introductions, orientation, and camp setup. (Time/place TBD)
Day 2: Work Day
Enjoy a hearty breakfast, pack lunches, and be on the trail between 8 AM and 9 AM
Lunch and plenty of other breaks will be included.
Wrap up the work day in the late afternoon and head back to camp and enjoy a few hours of daylight for free time.
Reconvene at a chosen time for dinner.
After dinner has been cleaned up, evenings offer plenty of time to relax, sit around the campfire and get to know your fellow crew members, or enjoy more free time.
Day 3: Work Day
Day 4: Rest Day (Specific Day on Trip Will Be Confirmed By Host)
Your choice! Explore the area, take a recreational hike, tour local attractions, or hang out at camp. Group excursions can be planned or set-out on your own.
Day 5: Work Day
Day 6: Work Day
Day 7: Departure
Pack up and clean up, celebrate your accomplishments, wish each other a fond farewell, and depart. Please note: This schedule is subject to change due to weather or other circumstances. Any updates will be communicated to the group.
Land Acknowledgement:
AHS acknowledges with gratitude that this project takes place on the traditional lands of the Shawanwaki/Shawnee, and Massawomeck people past and present. We honor the land itself, the Indigenous communities who have stewarded these islands and mountain landscapes for countless generations, and those who continue this stewardship today. This acknowledgement is one step in our ongoing commitment to uplift Indigenous voices. We invite the American Hiking Society community to learn about, support, and stand in solidarity with the Indigenous peoples whose lands we live, work, and recreate on.
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