OutReserve

Balsam Lake Lodge

BALSAM LAKE LODGE
BALSAM LAKE LODGE
BALSAM LAKE LODGE
BALSAM LAKE LODGE
BALSAM LAKE LODGE

Featured amenities

Showers

About Balsam Lake Lodge

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. 

Number of accommodations: 1

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Apr 1 to Nov 29

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Showers
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
  • Showers
Water Access

Water Access

  • Lake Access
Missing information?

001, Loop: BALSAM LAKE LODGE (NC)

Price not available
🏠 Cabin Unavailable

Site Details

Up to 16 guests
Shade
Surface: Gravel
Accessible
View Site Details

Reviews (24)

What Guests Are Saying

Balsam Lake Lodge offers stunning views and well-equipped cabins, exceeding expectations for the price with ample amenities like kitchen staples and games. While there is limited cell signal and issues with the DVD player, the natural setting provides a comfortable camping experience. Overall, guests are highly satisfied and eager to return.

Review Summary

4.8
24 reviews
5
83.3%
20
4
16.7%
4
3
0.0%
0
2
0.0%
0
1
0.0%
0

Bradley K

Verified

September 30, 2025 Stayed at: 001, Loop: BALSAM LAKE LODGE (NC)

5

The view is beautiful, the cabin was much nicer than I was expecting for the price point. I was afraid of what the amenaties might be but they had a lot fo staples and basics (pots, pans, spices, tide pods, games, books, etc). I was extremely pleasantly surprised. The view was incredible, the trails were nice, I'm already planning for a next trip.

The whole "no signal for a while" is for real. My friends had Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, Mint, and T-Mobile and no one had signal until we went to the free wifi at the Balsam Community Center 23 minutes away. A comment maybe said something about them building wi-fi... not as of now, and don't bank on it.

If people are looking at the reviews, you should know we couldn't make the DVD player work and it looks like someone else took it apart to try to fix it. Don't yell at us, it wasn't me!

Yeah, it's nature, so there are bugs sometimes and other nature things, but with 3 1/2 bathrooms, a friend said "it's like camping but without being uncomfortable." I'd recommend for sure.

Bradley K

Verified

September 30, 2025 Stayed at: 001, Loop: BALSAM LAKE LODGE (NC)

5

The view is beautiful, the cabin was much nicer than I was expecting for the price point. I was afraid of what the amenaties might be but they had a lot fo staples and basics (pots, pans, spices, tide pods, games, books, etc). I was extremely pleasantly surprised. The view was incredible, the trails were nice, I'm already planning for a next trip.

The whole "no signal for a while" is for real. My friends had Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, Mint, and T-Mobile and no one had signal until we went to the free wifi at the Balsam Community Center 23 minutes away. A comment maybe said something about them building wi-fi... not as of now, and don't bank on it.

If people are looking at the reviews, you should know we couldn't make the DVD player work and it looks like someone else took it apart to try to fix it. Don't yell at us, it wasn't me!

Yeah, it's nature, so there are bugs sometimes and other nature things, but with 3 1/2 bathrooms, a friend said "it's like camping but without being uncomfortable." I'd recommend for sure.

Rick C

Verified

April 21, 2024 Stayed at: 001, Loop: BALSAM LAKE LODGE (NC)

4

Basal lake lodge is a great place for groups up to 16 to enjoy Mother Nature. The lodge overlooks Balsam Lake. There is a fully functioning kitchen, dining and living room (with a fireplace) plus 3 bunk bed rooms and two bedrooms with 2 twin beds each. There is no cell service within a 5 mile area. It appeared that the Lodge was in the process of setting up a satellite internet connection with a WiFi hotspot, which would be a welcome addition when needing to check the weather etc. We were told that the lake is stocked regularly with trout, but never tried it due to other trout streams we fished at while staying there.

Rick C

Verified

April 21, 2024 Stayed at: 001, Loop: BALSAM LAKE LODGE (NC)

4

Basal lake lodge is a great place for groups up to 16 to enjoy Mother Nature. The lodge overlooks Balsam Lake. There is a fully functioning kitchen, dining and living room (with a fireplace) plus 3 bunk bed rooms and two bedrooms with 2 twin beds each. There is no cell service within a 5 mile area. It appeared that the Lodge was in the process of setting up a satellite internet connection with a WiFi hotspot, which would be a welcome addition when needing to check the weather etc. We were told that the lake is stocked regularly with trout, but never tried it due to other trout streams we fished at while staying there.

Pat M

Verified

November 28, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: BALSAM LAKE LODGE (NC)

5

We had a great time with the whole family. Next time we will bring a boat. You do need to improve the information provided on the website--not a campground, mention 5 bedrooms with twin beds or bunks, 3-1/2 bathrooms, well-stocked kitchen. We used sleeping bags and brought our own towels, so we wouldn't have to do laundry.

Pat M

Verified

November 28, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: BALSAM LAKE LODGE (NC)

5

We had a great time with the whole family. Next time we will bring a boat. You do need to improve the information provided on the website--not a campground, mention 5 bedrooms with twin beds or bunks, 3-1/2 bathrooms, well-stocked kitchen. We used sleeping bags and brought our own towels, so we wouldn't have to do laundry.

Patricia S

Verified

June 29, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: BALSAM LAKE LODGE (NC)

5

Always pleasant - and I believe it was as clean as we’ve ever experienced there this time!

Patricia S

Verified

June 29, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: BALSAM LAKE LODGE (NC)

5

Always pleasant - and I believe it was as clean as we’ve ever experienced there this time!

Anne W

Verified

May 30, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: BALSAM LAKE LODGE (NC)

5

Our large family loves Balsam Lake Lodge! We like to bring a canoe and do some boating and fishing on the lake, but most of our time is spent hiking in the gorgeous Nantahala and Pisgah Forests. The remoteness means no cell signal, so make your travel and hiking plans in advance. But the freedom from connectivity is just another of the beauties of this place!

Anne W

Verified

May 30, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: BALSAM LAKE LODGE (NC)

5

Our large family loves Balsam Lake Lodge! We like to bring a canoe and do some boating and fishing on the lake, but most of our time is spent hiking in the gorgeous Nantahala and Pisgah Forests. The remoteness means no cell signal, so make your travel and hiking plans in advance. But the freedom from connectivity is just another of the beauties of this place!

Location Balsam Lake Lodge

Address:
5464 Charleys Creek Road
Tuckasegee, NC, 28783
United States

Highway access

Balsam Lake Lodge is accessible via I-40, U.S. 23/74, and NC 215. It is approximately 5 miles from U.S. 23/74 and NC 215.

Latitude & Longitude: 35.2675 / -83.0194

Elevation: 1112 feet

Nearby National Park

Yosemite National Park

Arch Rock Entrance

Approximate driving time: 1 hr 40 min

Policies & Rules

Cancellation policy

  • Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
  • Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
  • Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
    • Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
  • Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
  • Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
  • Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: June 4, 2026

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