More Area Information
Traveling from the French Broad River south to approximately milepost 440, this stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway passes through 11 of the 25 tunnels in North Carolina and reaches its highest point at Richland Balsam Overlook, milepost 431.4, elevation 6,053 feet. Perhaps the most pronounced feature along this section of the Parkway is a long chain of overlooks stretching along the ridges like a beaded necklace and offering breathtaking vistas of many of the nearby parks and attractions such as the Mills River Valley, Mount Pisgah, Looking Glass Rock, and Devil's Courthouse.
The Balsam Mountain Inn, located 3 miles from the cabin serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and every other Saturday night, they have song writers night. www.balsammountaininn.com
The Great Smokey Mountain Railroad—Dillsboro, NC, 1.800.872.4681—Gourmet Dinner Trains, Mystery Trains, Rail and Raft Trains, Sightseeing Trains, Thomas the Train and other Special Events. www.gsmr.com
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Balsam Area Hiking: Waterrock Knob 2.4 mi. round trip Fairly steep hike to 6,292 ft. peak. Extraordinary views of the Great Smokies from along the trail and at summit. Information center and rest rooms at parking area. Directions: From exit 85 off U.S. 23/74 in Sylva, drive east on U.S. 23/74 for 8.9 mi. then turn left, entering the Blue Ridge Parkway. Proceed along the Parkway in the direction of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, go 0.8 mi. past Parkway milepost 450, turn right into Waterrock Knob parking area. Trail begins at back corner of parking lot, and is paved at its start. Mountains-to-Sea Trail Part of a trail that will eventually stretch from Clingman's Dome in the Smokies to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. A lengthy piece of the trail follows the Blue Ridge parkway in Jackson County, and is accessible from the Balsam Ranger Station and from various overlooks along the Parkway. Richland Balsam 1.5 mi. loop.Nice walk to 6,410 ft. summit, highest in the Balsam Mountains and one of the loftiest in the eastern U.S. Cool, refreshing hike through a remnant spruce fir forest. Directions: From exit 85 off U.S. 23/74 in Sylva, drive east on U.S. 23/74 for 8.9 mi. then turn left, entering the Blue Ridge Parkway. Proceed in the direction of Asheville to milepost 431, then turn left into the Haywood-Jackson overlook parking lot. Trail begins at left corner of parking lot, and is paves at its start. Devils's Courthouse 0.8 mi. round trip.Paved but steep trail to top of rock promontory with spectacular panoramic view. Directions: From exit 85 off U.S. 23/74 in Sylva, drive east on U.S. 23/74 for 8.9 mi. then turn left, entering the Blue Ridge Parkway. Proceed in the direction of Asheville, go 0.4 mi. past milepost 422, then turn right into Devil's Courthouse parking overlook. Take sidewalk along parkway in the direction you were driving, then turn into the woods just before a tunnel.
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Other Nearby Attractions: Nantahala Outdoor Center, Tuckasegee River Rafting, 15 minutes to Franklin, 5 minutes to Waynesville, 15 minutes to Sylva, 15 minutes to Bryson City; 30 minutes to Asheville, 30 minutes to Lake Fontana.
The Great Smokey Mountains National Park: near Cherokee. Offers picnicking , hiking, horseback riding, fishing, tubing , camping, wildlife viewing, etc. See website at http://www.nps.gov/grsm.