Balsam Lake Lodge

North Carolina

Backcountry HutReservableOvernight Use: $170 per night Additional weekend fee (Friday-Saturday): $30 per night

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About

Overview Balsam Lake Lodge is nestled in the center of the 39,000-acre Roy Taylor Forest within the Nantahala National Forest. The lodge overlooks Balsam Lake and offers spectacular mountain views. The lodge opened its doors to the public when the Forest Service acquired the dwelling and lake in 1982. Since then groups have rented the lodge for meetings, recreation and environmental activities. NOTE: Balsam Lake Lodge is not a campground and has no campsites available for sewer, water, or electrical hook ups. Recreation Near the 8-acre lake are three short hiking trails, several fishing piers and a picnic area. The Robinson Trail, suitable for wheelchairs, leads to a dock and fishing pier. The Malonee Trail travels approximately a half-mile beside the lake to the day use area. The .3-mile Wolf Creek Trail continues beside a stream. Anglers can fish for trout in Balsam Lake. It's also open to non-motorized boating. Facilities The lodge's amenities include 16 twin beds (some bunks). There are no linens, towels, and pillows available. The lodge has an accessible kitchen with all utensils and appliances, outside grills, 3 bathrooms with flush toilets, toilet paper provided, one roll-in wheelchair shower, firewood provided, fireplace, gas heat and an available landline phone for emergencies. The lodge has electricity. There is no cell phone service within 5 miles of the location. No wifi available. The lodge provides cleaning supplies for guests to clean the entire lodge after their stay for the next guests. None motorized boats only. Boats/ kayaks are not provided. Natural Features Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Balsam Lake Lodge offers a haven in the Nantahala National Forest. This mountain getaway can be reserved for weekends and weekdays from early April through late November. Reservations will be open from early April through late November. A dense forest of mixed deciduous and conifer trees hugs the shoreline of this tranquil lake. Nearby Attractions Visitors to Balsam Lake Lodge can explore the rest of the Nantahala National Forest, which is especially known for its spectacular waterfalls. This includes Whitewater Falls, the highest falls east of the Rocky Mountains. Charges & Cancellations $170 per night sunday through Thursday. $200 per night friday and saturday.

Campground Information

Fees & Reservations
FeeOvernight Use: $170 per night Additional weekend fee (Friday-Saturday): $30 per night
ReservableYes

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At a Glance

Overnight Use: $170 per night Additional weekend fee (Friday-Saturday): $30 per night

Location

Balsam Lake Lodge

North Carolina

Data source: usfs recreation

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Balsam Lake Lodge

    Campground

    Sites open the weekend of Nov 20 on Recreation.gov
  • Eat after

    The Local

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 11 mi · Open after 6
  • If it rains

    Sunset Rock

    Viewpoint

    In town

    Cliff in Macon County, North Carolina, United States

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Is Balsam Lake Lodge open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in National Forests in North Carolina. It doesn't name Balsam Lake Lodge, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · National Forests in North Carolina. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Balsam Lake Lodge

Best months: March–May and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

  1. Jan

    49° / 26°

    11 wet

  2. Feb

    53° / 28°

    11 wet

  3. Mar

    61° / 34°

    12 wet

  4. Apr

    70° / 42°

    11 wet

  5. May

    77° / 51°

    12 wet

  6. Jun

    82° / 59°

    13 wet

  7. Jul

    85° / 63°

    14 wet

  8. Aug

    84° / 62°

    13 wet

  9. Sep

    79° / 56°

    9 wet

  10. Oct

    70° / 44°

    8 wet

  11. Nov

    60° / 33°

    9 wet

  12. Dec

    51° / 29°

    11 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Cullowhee, NC, 11.6 mi away at 2,192 ft. We don't have this place's elevation, so higher spots nearby can run cooler. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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