Balsam Lake

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Balsam Lake

In addition to a lodge that can be rented by groups for a pretty good price, Balsam Lake has a day use area with a couple of handicapped-acessible trails and accessible fishing piers.

Balsam Lake entrance

 View of Balsam Lake
I was there with my brother Tim and his wife, Tara, at the end of July 2008. The gate to the lodge was locked, so we could only see it from across the lake. Here are the lodge's amenities and rental details. Balsam Lake Lodge across water
The Malonee Trail runs along the shore of the lake, and has the accessible fishing piers. The trail was extended in 2009 to the dam at the far side of the lake. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout twice during the spring/summer season, and Wolf Creek, which feeds the lake, has its own supply of native mountain trout.
Balsam Lake trail Balsam Lake pier

Picnic tables at Balsam LakeBalsam Lake
Another trail that runs along Wolf Creek was home to a classically shaped hornet's nest. Hornet's nest at Balsam Lake
You won't likely just happen upon Balsam Lake; it's a couple of turns off of N.C. 281, to N.C. 1756, in Jackson County. Here's an interactive map from the Recreation.gov site.