Trail Overview

Lake View Trail is an easier trail offering great views of Uwharrie National Forest and Badin Lake. A view of Badin Lake can be seen about halfway through the trail. Most of the trail is an easy shelf road that winds along the hills and mountains of the forest. There are a few optional challenges that require high ground clearance. The trail ends at a "mud pit" called the soup bowl; it is optional and is generally between 20 and 40 inches deep in parts, depending on the rain. The water has no current and has a rocky bottom, making it easier to cross--about 30 feet. Some optional obstacles are located on the trail. One is accessible to most high-clearance 4WDs and will likely require 4WD; the other is an extremely off-camber rock garden that requires high clearance and 4WD.

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Difficulty

The trail is easy for the most part with a few rocks and small ledges that are no more than 8 inches high. There are a few optional lines that can be challenging, especially for lower, wider vehicles.

Technical Rating

Will Conklin

Nov 16, 2025

Open

I would rank this trail a 3 or 4 out of 10. It was similar in difficulty to WolfDen 89 and has some difficult obstacles if you don't use the bypasses.

laura Trommer

Oct 17, 2025

Open

Hasn’t rained in several days, very easy. Didn’t even have to put the Bronco in 4WD.

Lucci A

May 28, 2025

Open

Trail was wet after recent rain. Midweek trip so only saw a few people. No problem with my full size pickup. Many moguls and a few narrow spots with steep drop offs to one side.

Ibraheem Wahdan

Apr 05, 2025

Open

Scooby Carolan

Nov 10, 2024

Open

More beat up than usual but you could do this in a grand Cherokee.

Austin Callender

Sep 22, 2024

Open

Quite easy dirt road with some nice views. Does have some challenging obstacles in places but they all have well maintained bypasses.

Rickey Stokes

Sep 21, 2024

Open

Super fun trail, well maintained bypass around obstacles, couple clearance issues you may have if in a stock vehicle. Near the Wolfden entrance.

Brian Petrozelli

Jun 15, 2024

Open

Chris Suttle

May 25, 2024

Open

Really fun trail but it’s very rocky and rough. Original rating was 3/10, I’d give it at least a 6. Soup bowl at end was great but with all the rain recently it was too deep for me to try going all the way in. Will definitely come back though!