Balsam Lake
Balsam Lake is a free public kayak and canoe launch on Wolf Creek near Tuckasegee, North Carolina, run by the USDA Forest Service.
- Free
- 12 trailer spaces
- Restrooms
Open per North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Public Fishing Areas (portable boat access)'s data, checked October 19, 2026. Seasonal gates, low water and storms are not always posted; check before you tow.
At the launch
- Type
- Carry-in (canoe and kayak)
- Fee
- Free
- Ramp surface
- Gravel
- Trailer parking
- 12 spaces
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Managed by
- USDA Forest Service
- Coordinates
- 35.27241, -82.96983
Conditions
- Weather forecast for this launch · National Weather Service
On the river
- Falls, 0.8 mi downstream: Lower Vernal Falls. · USGS GNIS falls and rapids (The National Map Gazetteer)
Up to 10 river miles each way, from the agencies' inventories; not every hazard is listed and rivers change. Scout before you go.
Sources: USGS GNIS falls and rapids (The National Map Gazetteer).
On Wolf Creek
Stream in North Carolina. All launches on Wolf Creek.
Nearby launches
- Wolf Creek Boat Launch · 3.7 mi · Wolf Creek Lake
- Tanasee Access · 4.0 mi · Tanasee Creek Lake
- Bear Creek Boat Launch · 5.7 mi · Bear Creek Lake
- Cedar Cliff Boat Launch · 7.0 mi · Cedar Cliff Lake
- Shook Cove Take Out · 7.8 mi · Tuckasegee River
- Shook Cove Put In · 7.8 mi · Tuckasegee River
Sources
- North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Public Fishing Areas (portable boat access) record 88 · NCWRC: developed and maintained for free and public use; no warranty (ArcGIS item 8f95684ae6ad4f6f95532100c6e41b79)
- USDA Forest Service boat ramps (FHWA Federal Lands Transportation Facility Inventory) record 1566717010602 · US federal government data, public domain (FHWA Federal Lands Transportation Facility Inventory, USDA Forest Service submittal)
Why it is listed as public: listed by North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Public Fishing Areas (portable boat access) and USDA Forest Service boat ramps (FHWA Federal Lands Transportation Facility Inventory). Something wrong, or is this launch private? Send a correction; it goes to a person.