Balsam, North Carolina · Since 1908
Where the Trail Ends
& the Porch Begins
Welcome…
To A Place That's Been Waiting for You
42,000 square feet of wood, history, and mountain air at 3,350 feet. No televisions, no air conditioning, no two rooms alike. Craft drinks, good food, trails out the door, and a front porch that's earned its reputation.
Set on 21 acres in the beautiful community of Balsam, NC our Inn has been thoughtfully renovated into a cozy and inviting retreat, echoing the spirit of its mountain surroundings and the ancient stories they hold. Whether you're coming to hike, to rest, or to celebrate something worth remembering, mountain adventures and a porch are waiting at the end of the trail.
The Balsam Mountain Inn was built in 1908 as a railroad hotel, back when guests ventured up from the low country to escape the heat…because at nearly 3,500 feet, the air does the cooling for you. The building was designed for it: deep porches, wide hallways, big stairwells, and transom windows above every door. It’s a prime example of a fading architectural art — buildings that cool themselves.
It's the kind of inn where the porch is the star attraction, the rooms have their own stories, and the mountains do most of the work when it comes to making you slow down. We're half a mile from the Blue Ridge Parkway, accessible entirely by four-lane highway, and sitting at 3,350 feet, high enough that the air feels different when you step out of the car.
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Rooms
Each guest room preserves the authentic historic sprit of this 1908 gem. Every room is unique, with features such as clawfoot tubs, fireplaces, window seats, or mountain views.
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Dinner & Drinks
Visitors and guests can enjoy a drink from our ‘Spirits of the Inn’ bar and coffee shop and enjoy the hot breakfast buffet Friday - Sunday. Check in for the rotating bar menu.
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Where the Trail Ends and the Porch Begins
Enjoy nature from a cozy rocking chair on our wraparound porch or explore a variety of scenic on-site walking trails. We also have a library, gift shop, and an on-site restaurant, bar, and coffee shop for your enjoyment. Limited WiFi is available.
“Now, thanks to Waynesville residents Rodney and Lorraine Conard, The Balsam Mountain Inn is being lovingly restored and returned to its former glory.”
- The Mountaineer