USDA Forest Service · North Carolina
Balsam Lake Lodge
USDA Forest Service · North Carolina, United States
- Sites
- 1
- Hookups
- 1 electric, 1 with water
- Season
- April 1 to November 29
- Cost
- $170 per night. A $30 fee for each Friday and Saturday night booked.
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- Yes
- Laundry
- Yes
- Elevation
- 3,734 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 2
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Lake
- National Forests in North Carolina
- Nearest town
- TUCKASEGEE
- Address
- 5464 CHARLEYS CREEK ROAD, TUCKASEGEE, NC, 28783
- Phone
- 828-524-6441
- Activities
- Boating, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Wildlife Viewing
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
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.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42° | 25° | 6° | 62° | 10 of 11 |
| February | 49° | 31° | 17° | 68° | 10 of 11 |
| March | 56° | 37° | 12° | 71° | 8 of 11 |
| April | 64° | 41° | 27° | 77° | 6 of 11 |
| May | 69° | 53° | 37° | 79° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 75° | 59° | 45° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 78° | 63° | 56° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 78° | 62° | 55° | 83° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 73° | 58° | 47° | 82° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 64° | 43° | 28° | 76° | 3 of 10 |
| November | 55° | 36° | 21° | 68° | 6 of 10 |
| December | 46° | 30° | 9° | 60° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Sunburst · USDA Forest Service · 7 mi · 10 sites
- Cove Creek Lower Group Camp · USDA Forest Service · 9 mi · 1 sites
- Cove Creek Upper Group Camp · USDA Forest Service · 9 mi · 1 sites
- Cove Creek Group Campground · USDA Forest Service · 10 mi
- Gorges State Park · North Carolina State Parks · 11 mi · 37 sites
All public campgrounds in North Carolina · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.