Balsam Lake Lodge
National Forests in North Carolina
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.
The lodge's amenities include 16 twin beds (some bunks) complete with linens and pillows, and accessible kitchen with all utensils and appliances, outside grills, three bathrooms with flush toilets, one roll-in wheelchair shower, firewood, fireplace, gas heat and a phone for local or credit calls. The lodge has electricity.
Notifications and Alerts
This location is closed until further notice due to significant impacts from Hurricane Helene. Please continue to monitor this location’s facility page on Recreation.gov for status updates or visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nfsnc/alerts-notices/?aid=90899 for details. Keep in mind, local personnel may be attending t o this urgent situation and not available to provide updates immediately.
Need to Know
Pets are not allowed inside of Balsam Lake Lodge
There is no cell service or wifi. Please plan accordingly.
Combination for key box will be forwarded to reservation holder via email
Key box is located at the Day Use area of Balsam Lake; key must be placed in a drop slot near key box upon departure. Note: The lodge and the Day Use are two separate locations.
Maximum capacity is 16 people per night
- Click here for more information about National Forests in North Carolina
- Walk-ins and first-come, first-serve use is not available for this site.
- Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.
VERY IMPORTANT! To allow time for sanitation and cleaning protocols; Check out time is 11:30am and check in time is 4 p.m.
VERY IMPORTANT! Visitors must clean after their own visit and leave the Lodge exactly how they found it!
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.
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.
Changes & Cancellations
$170 per night sunday through Thursday. $200 per night friday and saturday.
Contact Information
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5464 CHARLEYS CREEK ROAD TUCKASEGEE NC 28783
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 828-524-6441
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Asheville, North Carolina, take I-40 west to exit 27. Go west on U.S. 23/74 to
Waynesville and take exit 102. Take U.S. 276 south and turn right on NC
215 south. Take SR 1756 (Charley's Creek Road). Go 5 miles to the Balsam
Lake Lodge (located on the left at Forest Service sign/gate).
From the Blue Ridge Parkway, take NC 215 south for 5 miles to SR 1756
(Charley's Creek Road). Go west 5 miles to the lodge (Located on the left
at Forest Service sign/gate).
