Between Greenville And Knoxville Is North Carolina's Scenic Mountain Lake With Fishing And Forest Views

It would appear that North Carolina is having somewhat of a love affair with natural water features. There are 22 natural lakes in the state's coastal areas alone, and as you move west, lush rivers flow into more than 200 waterfalls, forming the state's foremost waterfall region. Lake Dense also resides in this water-rich area, nestled within DuPont State Recreational Forest in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The tranquil, 5-acre lake is as beautiful as they come. It's surrounded by tall, green trees, and its clear, glassy surface easily reflects the trees and the sky above.

Although you're not allowed to camp at Lake Dense, you can swim, fish, and have picnics. The lake's lovely views include Joanna Mountain, which can be seen above the tree line. As an added bonus, nearby trails bring you into the surrounding pine and hemlock forest. Wildflowers bloom there, and you may be able to see equestrians as they pass by on their horses. 

Travelers heading to Lake Dense from Greenville, home to one of America's prettiest downtowns, should already know how gorgeous the Blue Ridge Mountain area is. A previous visitor on Google described Lake Dense as a "beautiful secluded gem" while another wrote that there were "beautiful views every time." Lake Dense enjoys a convenient location, as it's only about a 90-minute drive from Greenville. Knoxville, Tennessee, is the nearest major city to the north of the lake, and the drive to the lake from there is about three hours.

It's great that Lake Dense is in Dupont State Recreational Forest, as it is an underrated forest filled with waterfalls, lakes, and movie-worthy views. Rules at the lake are geared towards keeping the secluded locale subdued and the grounds clean and safe. Camping and cooking fires are prohibited, along with alcohol and off-leash pets. However, you can fish at Lake Dense, where you have a choice of two fishing piers. One juts into the lake in full view of the sun, and the other is covered. 

There, you can angle for largemouth bass, bluegill, and red-breast sunfish. You'll have to buy a fishing license before catching any fish, though. Check the state's guidelines and prices before purchasing. A license will also come in handy in case you want to bait your hook at other lakes in the area, such as Tanasee Creek Lake, a hidden lake with serene fishing.

For a deeper exploration of the forest near the lake, venture onto the trails in the area. There are important things you should know before setting out, such as who to yield to. Bikers should yield to hikers and equestrians, for example, and hikers should make way for equestrians. One beautiful trail is Lake Dense Trail, a 3.6-mile easy trail that weaves through the forest before skirting past the western shore of Lake Dense. Look east across the lake to see Joanna Mountain. The nearly 3,000-foot mountain reaches proudly toward the sky. After pausing to take in the views, continue to follow the trail, which ends at Lake Alford.