This Gorgeous Lake In West Virginia's Appalachian Mountains Is Beyond Beautiful

Since the Appalachian Mountains are so vast — they stretch from Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada all the way down to Alabama — it's hard to pinpoint how many lakes they contain. The Southern Appalachians alone are believed to have nearly 37,000 of them, and picking a favorite is nearly impossible. But there is one stunning spot in West Virginia that could quickly jump to the top of the list: Spruce Knob Lake.

To find it, you have to head deep into the Allegheny Mountains, a rugged subrange in the Appalachians that runs from Pennsylvania to Virginia. Tucked just inside West Virginia near the Virginia border, the vast Monongahela National Forest was established in 1920 to protect more than 900,000 acres of wild mountain landscape. About 32 years later, Spruce Knob Lake was built below Spruce Knob, the highest point in the Mountain State. It is now a peaceful, breathtaking spot surrounded by a dense hardwood forest.

Spruce Knob Lake is 100 miles northeast of Lewisburg, an underrated Eastern US city for a charming winter holiday getaway. Lewisburg has the small Greenbrier Valley Airport (LWB), which offers nonstop flights from Charlotte and Chicago. For more flight options, Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is about 175 miles east of Spruce Knob Lake and services flights from all over the world.

Spruce Knob Lake was created for fishers and remains a popular spot for anglers today. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources stocks the lake with trout weekly from March to May, and you can find green sunfish and smallmouth bass. Fishing is allowed from the wooden pier or from a boat on the lake, with a boat launch available for electric trolling motors or non-motorized boats, like canoes and kayaks. Swimming, unfortunately, is not permitted.

There is an easy hiking trail around the perimeter of Spruce Knob Lake. Most of the 1-mile trail closely hugs the edge of the water. Hikers aren't the only ones who use the trail, though. Since it's so flat, it is popular with runners and walkers, too. While on the trail, keep an eye out for American robins and cedar waxwings in the conifer trees. When you aren't staring at the mesmerizing, sky-blue water, of course.

Luckily, you don't have to leave this tranquil location at the end of the day, as there are two campgrounds nearby. Gatewood Group Campground ($60 per night) is two miles away and can accommodate up to 30 people at the single site. While the Spruce Knob Lake Campground (from $15 per night) is within walking distance of the water. It has 40 spots that range from standard drive-up sites to walk-in sites, all with fire rings and picnic tables. Both campgrounds are open seasonally from April to October.

After setting up a home base near beautiful Spruce Knob Lake, you can start to explore more of Monongahela National Forest. Since you have been staring at Spruce Knob so much, you should head up the 4,863-foot peak on the Huckleberry Trail. This difficult, out-and-back hike is nearly 11 miles long, so if you're not into hiking, you can also drive up most of the way via winding forest roads. The parking lot and the Huckleberry Trail near the summit connect to two short trails: the Whispering Spruce Trail and the Spruce Knob Trail. Both lead to an observation tower that was built in 1969 and provides 360-degree views. It feels like you're on top of the world up here.

Less than 25 miles away is Seneca Rocks, a dramatic crag rising above the North Fork River — one of West Virginia's most popular climbing destinations. But you can avoid Seneca Rocks' crowds at its nearby secret sister: NROCKS. This via ferrata-style climbing adventure involves climbing iron rungs built into the mountain, and the route crosses a suspension bridge that's 150 feet high and 200 feet long.

From NROCKS, it is less than 75 miles to Romney, the oldest town in the state. This is where you can board the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad, which offers multiple sightseeing trips. This mountainous West Virginia train ride belongs on any wildlife lover's bucket list.