Blackbird Knob Trailhead - Davis, WV
Blackbird Knob Trailhead Dog-Friendly Hiking in Davis, West Virginia
Nestled in the heart of Dolly Sods, Blackbird Knob Trailhead offers an incredible experience for pet owners seeking dog-friendly trails near Davis, West Virginia. Known for its natural beauty, this trail provides an adventurous alternative to typical dog parks, allowing leashed dogs to join you on scenic hiking loops across rocky outcrops, muddy patches, and blueberry fields. It’s one of the preferred starting points for exploring the famous Red Creek Gorge area, making it perfect for adventurous dogs and their owners.
While there are no traditional dog park amenities like fenced or double-gated areas, Blackbird Knob stands out for its pet-friendly hiking, breathtaking views, and the opportunity for dogs to enjoy the great outdoors. Parking is limited, so arrive early, especially during weekends in peak season! Don’t forget your trekking poles and remember to keep an eye on the trail markers to avoid getting lost.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park?
Yes, Blackbird Knob Trailhead is a starting point for several beautiful hiking trails in Dolly Sods, ideal for dog-friendly adventures. - Where is the best place to park?
Parking is available at the Blackbird Knob Trailhead, but spaces are limited and can fill up quickly, especially on weekends. Arrive early for the best chance at a spot. - Is the park muddy after it rains?
Yes, the trails can be muddy in places, particularly after wet weather, so be prepared for some muddy paws! - How busy does the park get on weekends?
The trailhead can get quite crowded during peak season weekends, with many hikers using the route.
Reviews
I’ve only been to the Sods one other time about 6 years ago. Back then I started my backpacking overnighter on the Northern end. This time we started at Blackbird Knob Trailhead. Awesome choice. The Northern end was very good… but, this was great. Starting here gets you right into the center of the Sods. It was fantastic.
Beware: Less than 10 minutes into this trail there are downed trees on the trail. They are there for a reason. It looks like the trail continues on the other side, but don’t be deceived. Turn left and head off onto the trail to the left. Ask me how I know… because, we went around the trees and kept going straight. That got us to a point 15-20 minutes later where the trail just stopped. Nowhere to go. We pulled out a GPS and got onto the correct trail. Coming back the next day, we were able to see where we made the mistake.
So, make sure you turn left and don’t go straight at the downed trees. You will thank me later.
I’ve only been to the Sods one other time about 6 years ago. Back then I started my backpacking overnighter on the Northern end. This time we started at Blackbird Knob Trailhead. Awesome choice. The Northern end was very good… but, this was great. Starting here gets you right into the center of the Sods. It was fantastic.
Beware: Less than 10 minutes into this trail there are downed trees on the trail. They are there for a reason. It looks like the trail continues on the other side, but don’t be deceived. Turn left and head off onto the trail to the left. Ask me how I know… because, we went around the trees and kept going straight. That got us to a point 15-20 minutes later where the trail just stopped. Nowhere to go. We pulled out a GPS and got onto the correct trail. Coming back the next day, we were able to see where we made the mistake.
So, make sure you turn left and don’t go straight at the downed trees. You will thank me later.
Blackbird Knob to Harman to Rocky Ridge Loop was a very relaxing and enjoyable hike. Get to the trailhead early so you can get a parking spot easily. Parking is limited. The trail conditions were perfect! It was 50 degrees when we started out and around 68 degrees when we finished. Take your trekking poles there are very narrow areas and lots of loose rocky areas. But absolutely nothing that you can’t navigate. There were a couple of wet areas and a couple of spongy areas. We never got wet feet. There is a pretty good size blueberry patch and we did see bear scat. Just be mindful of your surroundings. When we were leaving the trail we passed to large groups of hikers. We passed 40 people total. Great trail the weather is suppose to be perfect the rest of the week so hit those trails!!
Blackbird Knob to Harman to Rocky Ridge Loop was a very relaxing and enjoyable hike. Get to the trailhead early so you can get a parking spot easily. Parking is limited. The trail conditions were perfect! It was 50 degrees when we started out and around 68 degrees when we finished. Take your trekking poles there are very narrow areas and lots of loose rocky areas. But absolutely nothing that you can’t navigate. There were a couple of wet areas and a couple of spongy areas. We never got wet feet. There is a pretty good size blueberry patch and we did see bear scat. Just be mindful of your surroundings. When we were leaving the trail we passed to large groups of hikers. We passed 40 people total. Great trail the weather is suppose to be perfect the rest of the week so hit those trails!!
Blackbird Knob to Harman to Rocky Ridge Loop was a very relaxing and enjoyable hike. Get to the trailhead early so you can get a parking spot easily. Parking is limited. The trail conditions were perfect! It was 50 degrees when we started out and around 68 degrees when we finished. Take your trekking poles there are very narrow areas and lots of loose rocky areas. But absolutely nothing that you can’t navigate. There were a couple of wet areas and a couple of spongy areas. We never got wet feet. There is a pretty good size blueberry patch and we did see bear scat. Just be mindful of your surroundings. When we were leaving the trail we passed to large groups of hikers. We passed 40 people total. Great trail the weather is suppose to be perfect the rest of the week so hit those trails!!
Beautiful. Not for the increased, the trail can be tricky to follow. We got lost for a bit but GPS on phone guided us back to trail
Beautiful. Not for the increased, the trail can be tricky to follow. We got lost for a bit but GPS on phone guided us back to trail
Beautiful. Not for the increased, the trail can be tricky to follow. We got lost for a bit but GPS on phone guided us back to trail
Beautiful scenery but the trails are some of the worse I have ever set foot on or should I say in?!
Fantastic place, but be prepared crossing muddy spots, sharp rocks, small creeks and waterfalls