Hike to Tibbet Knob
3.1 Miles
830 Feet
Camping, Photography, Backpacking, Hiking, Rock Climbing
Beginner
Year Round
Out-and-Back
This short but rewarding hike is just two hours from Washington, DC and offers beautiful vistas and awesome backcountry campsites -- perfect for a day hike or a beginner overnight backpack.
Park for free at Wolf Gap Campground and cross the road where you will pass some picnic tables and campsites. Follow the signs to the the yellow blazed Tibbet Knob trail. In half a mile, there is a little path to a summit on your left where you can catch a glimpse of Mill Mountain and Big Schloss.
Continue uphill for another half mile and you will reach a steep rock which will require some scrambling. It's only 20-30 yards in length and my dogs made it up pretty easily. There are some nice campsites here if you want to take a lunch break or hang out for the night.
The trail flattens out here but soon you will reach a second steep rock. From here, continue another 200 yards and you will reach the main summit. Take in the views and definitely make your way through the thicket to reach different ledges for various photo angles. If you wander a short ways passed the summit you will find some great backcountry campsites complete with benches and fire pits. Set up camp here or turn around and follow the same trail back to the parking lot.
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations.
Reviews
Overall rating:
Panoramic Views & Summit Campsite
I did this hike as an overnight backpack trip on a weekday. I didn't see any other people on the trail. The two scrambles are brief but tough, particularly when it's rained recently. The panoramic vistas at the knob are spectacular, even with clouds in the valley. There are a couple of great campsites at the summit. The prime spot is just to the left of the summit and features a large stone fire pit. This hike could easily be done as a day hike, too. Sadly, my car was broken into at the Wolf Gap campground while I was on the trail, though.
