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North Carolina › Jackson County › Nantahala National Forest

Balsam Lake Lodge

Open

Open seasonally from April 1 through November 30. Reservations required through Recreation.gov. Check-in is 4:00 PM, check-out is 11:30 AM. Minimum 2-night stay, maximum 5 consecutive nights. No potable water on site.

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High Wind Warning issued October 10 at 2:38AM EDT until October 11 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC

2:38 AM — 12:00 PM

* WHAT...For the High Wind Warning in high elevations above 3500 feet, southeast winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. For the Wind Advisory in lower elevations below 3500 feet, southeast winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts of 45 to 50 mph expected. * WHERE...A portion of western North Carolina. * WHEN...Until 8 AM EDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines especially in higher elevations. Widespread power outages are expected in higher elevations. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects, and may cause a few tree limbs to fall and cause isolated power outages in lower elevations.

Flood Watch issued October 10 at 2:06AM EDT until October 11 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC

2:06 AM — 10:15 AM

* WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of northeast Georgia, including the following areas, Elbert, Franklin, Habersham, Hart, Rabun and Stephens, western North Carolina, including the following areas, Avery, Buncombe, Burke Mountains, Caldwell Mountains, Eastern McDowell, Eastern Polk, Greater Burke, Greater Caldwell, Greater Rutherford, Haywood, Henderson, Macon, McDowell Mountains, Mitchell, Northern Jackson, Polk Mountains, Rutherford Mountains, Southern Jackson, Transylvania and Yancey, and Upstate South Carolina, including the following areas, Greater Oconee, Greenville Mountains, Oconee Mountains and Pickens Mountains. * WHEN...From 8 AM EDT this morning through Sunday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Low-water crossings may be flooded. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - As Isaias weakens and moves northward through the Mid-South early this morning, rain will become increasingly likely across the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia. Periods of rain may begin over the watch area before daybreak, though rainfall rates will initially be light. Rainfall rates will increase during the day, and heavy rain is most likely this afternoon through early Sunday morning, particularly along the south and east facing Blue Ridge Escarpment, that is, near the southern border of North Carolina west of I-26, and in the sharp terrain from near Saluda to Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. A slow-moving band of heavy rain may move across northeast Georgia and the Upstate of South Carolina late this afternoon and this evening. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

Wind Advisory issued October 10 at 2:38AM EDT until October 11 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC

2:38 AM — 12:00 PM

* WHAT...For the High Wind Warning in high elevations above 3500 feet, southeast winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. For the Wind Advisory in lower elevations below 3500 feet, southeast winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts of 45 to 50 mph expected. * WHERE...A portion of western North Carolina. * WHEN...Until 8 AM EDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines especially in higher elevations. Widespread power outages are expected in higher elevations. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects, and may cause a few tree limbs to fall and cause isolated power outages in lower elevations.

About

Balsam Lake Lodge is a group rental facility in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, situated within the Roy Taylor Forest section of Nantahala National Forest. The lodge overlooks the serene 8-acre Balsam Lake and has been welcoming groups for meetings, recreation, and environmental activities since the Forest Service acquired it in 1982. The lodge accommodates up to 16 overnight guests (20 daytime visitors) with 16 twin beds arranged in bunks, a full kitchen with microwave and utensils, and three bathrooms featuring flush toilets. One roll-in wheelchair accessible shower is available. The facility has electricity, gas heat, and a fireplace with firewood provided. Outside grills are available for cooking. Guests must bring their own drinking water, linens, towels, blankets, and toiletries. Three hiking trails surround the lake: the wheelchair-accessible Robinson Trail leads to a dock and fishing pier, the half-mile Malonee Trail connects to the day use area, and the 0.3-mile Wolf Creek Trail follows a stream. The lake offers trout fishing and non-motorized boating.

Directions

From Asheville, take I-40 west to exit 27, then west on US 23/74 to Waynesville and exit 102. Take US 276 south and turn right on NC 215 south. Turn onto SR 1756 (Charley's Creek Road) and continue 5 miles to the lodge on the left at the Forest Service sign/gate. From the Blue Ridge Parkway, take NC 215 south for 5 miles to SR 1756 (Charley's Creek Road), then west 5 miles to the lodge.

Nearby Campgrounds

WOLF CREEK LAKE DISPERSED CAMPSITES 2.8mi LICKSTONE DISPERSED CAMPSITES 7.3mi Sunburst 7.5mi Gorges State Park 11mi Cove Creek Lower Group Camp 9.2mi Cove Creek Upper Group Camp 9.2mi COVE CREEK GROUP CAMPGROUND 10mi HEADWATERS ROADSIDE CAMPSITES 11mi Kuykendall Group Camp 12mi

Amenities

Water No
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station No
Wifi No
Pets Allowed No
Showers Yes
Electric Hookups —
Water Hookups —
Sewer Hookups —
Camp Store —
Price $170

Vehicle

Max RV Length —
Max Trailer Length —
Big Rig Friendly No
Pull Through Sites No

Contact

Phone +1 (828) 524-6441

Cell Service

AT&T None
Verizon None
T-Mobile None

Useful Links

North Carolina State Tourism
North Carolina State Road Conditions
View on Recreation.gov
USFS Balsam Lake Lodge

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