::Balsam Mountain Inn:: north carolina mountain inns, nc vacation resort, blue ridge country historic inn, hotels, cabin rental

Nearby Outdoor Activities

Area Hiking

With the Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Pisgah National Forrest all a stone's throw away from the inn, hiking options abound.

Balsam Mountain Inn has three trails around the property, with a fourth to be cut soon.

Mountains to Sea Trail is within walking distance of the inn. It is a great place to take yourself or your dog for a nice leg stretch. Someday it will run more than 900 miles across North Carolina, but right now about 400 miles are complete, including the section just closest to us.

We are just located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, and there are many trails to choose from. Some of the closest to the Balsam Mountain Inn are Waterrock Knob, a short but steep hike to a gorgeous view, and Richard Balsam, a 1.5 mile loop to a 6410 ft summit.

Pinnacle Park is 1100 acre park in nearby Sylva, North Carolina. There are numerous hiking trails here including a somewhat strenuous hike past a small waterfall to a summit with a 270 degree view of the area.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is half an hour away from the Balsam Mountain Inn, and has 850 miles of trails for exploring.

Golf

There are numerous golf courses within a short drive of the inn. Public golf courses in Waynesville, a short drive away, are Lake Junaluska Golf Course, Iron Tree Golf Course, and Waynesville Country Club Golf Course. In Maggie Valley you will find another lovely course, rated a top 50 southern resort course. There are numerous other courses in the area, including Smoky Mountains Country Club, Sapphire Mountain Golf Club, and Red Bird Golf Links.

Rafting

There are some great rivers in the are that the whole family can enjoy, and these outfitters can help you pick the right trip for you.

Nantahala Outdoor Center has all sorts of great options for all ages. Older children can enjoy rafting the rapids with their parents, while NOC also offers activities and adventures for younger children and folks who aren't ready to hit the rapids.

USA Raft also offers tours of the rapids. They offer three different types of trips, family class, adventures class, and world class, depending on what you are looking for.

Wildwater Rafting offers guided tours, dinner tours, or you can rent your own kayak or raft and take an adventerous trip on your own.

Fishing

You can go fishing on your own at an area river, or you can get some guidance from these outfitters.

Lowe Fly Shop offers drift boat and wade fishing trips. There are full day and half day trips to choose from, and lunch is provided on full day trips.

Smoky Mountains on the Fly also offers half and full day trips, snacks and meals provided. For the more adventurous, they also offer backcountry fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

CCS Fly Fishing Outfitters offers fishing lessons, walk/wade and float trips for half and full days, including half day evening trips. Full day trips include lunch, and all trips include rod and reel.

Smoky Mountain Fly Fishing offers Beginner trips, half day and all day trips to great locations and drinks and snacks are provided depending on the length of the trip.