Balsam Lake Lodge
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.
FS Road 225B Closed to All Traffic
The Pisgah Ranger District is conducting stream improvements due to Helene storm damage on Forest Service Rd #225B. For public safety the road is temporarily closed to all traffic, including hikers, bikers, and horses. Heavy machinery will be in the area. Once repairs are complete…
John Rock Overlook Parking Area Partial Closure
The Pisgah Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest has partnered with The Pisgah Conservancy and the Blue Ridge Parkway on a project to create the Upper Falls Connector Trail— a new 0.9-mile trail originating at the John Rock Overlook parking area to access Graveyard Fields. Graveyard…
Elk River Falls Temporary Re-Closure
Temporary Closure: Elk River Falls AreaClosure Order Closure Order MapStarting March 18, the Elk River Falls Area will be temporarily closed on the Pisgah National Forest. This includes closing the Elk River Trail, Elk River Falls and Elk River Road within the closure area in Avery County. The…
Connely Creek Road (NFSR 86) Closure
Connely Creek Road (NFSR 86) on the Nantahala Ranger District will be closed until October 2026 for road improvements. The closure will extend from the intersection of Cowee Bald Road (NFSR 70) to the intersection of Barkers Creek (NFSR 7062). Access to Cowee Bald will only be available from Macon…
Roan Mountain Fire Restrictions
Fire restrictions are now in effect for the Roan Mountain area of Appalachian Ranger District due to heightened fire danger caused by Hurricane Helene. The fire restriction is in effect on all National Forest System land from Hughes Gap to Doll Flats on the Appalachian Trail.This…
Pisgah National Forest Driving Safety Alert
Please use caution as you travel in and around the Forest. We have a lot of heavy equipment and repair crews in the area working on roads damaged during Hurricane Helene. Up to 2,000 tons of gravel are being placed EVERY DAY on our Forest Service roads through the summer and fall. That's around 60…
Paint Rock Closure
Effective through May 1, 2035, certain National Forest System lands in the Paint Rock area, located on the Appalachian Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest and the Unaka Ranger District of Cherokee National Forest, will be closed to protect cultural resources.This closure is intended to…
Appalachian Trail Detour- Iron Mountain Gap
The Iron Mountain Gap detour is now in place to route hikers around the final remaining 6 miles of closed section of the Appalachian Trail from about a mile south of the destroyed Cherry Gap Shelter to about a mile north of Iron Mountain Gap (approx. NOBO mile 360.6 to 365.9). The detour is mapped…
Kings Mountain Point Fishing Pier Closure
The fishing pier at Kings Mountain Point Day Use Area on the Uwharrie National Forest is closed till further notice due to storm damage. The Day Use area remains open and the three smaller accessible fishing platforms are available for public use.
Pisgah Camping Limitations
The following act is prohibited within 1000 feet of a road open to public vehicle travel on the Pisgah Ranger District in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, and Transylvania Counties in North Carolina.Camping is prohibited in any area not designated as a campsite depicted on the attached map. This…
Max Patch Restrictions
Restrictions on camping, fires, animals, aircraft and bicycles in Max Patch area.
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.
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 |
Availability
Photos
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