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Black Balsam
The trail to Black Balsam Knob travels across unique and interesting mountain balds.
The Black Balsam area includes some of the most spectacular mountain balds in the Southern Appalachians, including Black Balsam Knob, Sam Knob, and Tennent Mountain. These treeless mountaintops draw people from afar due to their sweeping views and alpine-like appearance. Along with these balds are trails leading into dark forests, streamside meadows and cascading waterfalls along Flat Laurel Creek. Many of the area's points of interest are outside the Shining Rock Wilderness boundary, but this is also the gateway to the Shining Rock Wilderness Area to the north as well, and many people choose to go into the wilderness from here.
Access to this area is from Black Balsam Road (FR 816) along the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are two main parking areas along Black Balsam Road: one at the gap and crossing of the Art Loeb/Mountains to Sea trails, and the other at the end of the road about 0.5 mile past the gap where half a dozen other trails start.
The quickest way to the summit of 6214' Black Balsam Knob itself is via the Art Loeb trail at the gap. This is a walk of about 1/2 mile which gains about 400' in elevation. It passes through open, grassy and rocky mountain meadows and this short walk is highly recommended! Click here to see pictures of the Art Loeb trail to Black Balsam Knob.
The quickest way to Sam Knob is from the parking area at the end of the road, and this trail is a Western North Carolina Best Hike - obviously, it is highly recommended as well! Click here to see pictures of the trail to Sam Knob.
From the parking area at the end of the road, the Ivestor Gap trail skirts Black Balsam Knob and represents the fastest way to reach the Shining Rock Wilderness boundary and Shining Rock itself.
With all these trails and plenty of things to see, there are many loop options for hiking within this area. Nearly all of these trails are worthy of being considered "Best Hikes"! To see an interactive map of the area, click here.
Camping is allowed anywhere on National Forest property accessible from the Black Balsam area, except within 500' of a road or in a designated closed area. There are no developed campgrounds in this area. The closest would be the Mount Pisgah Campground which is located South on the Blue Ridge Parkway, or the Davidson River Campground which is located South on the Blue Ridge Parkway and then East on US 276.
Excellent campsites can be found (not made!) on top of the balds (but beware of harsh weather), along the Art Loeb/Mountains to Sea Trail South of Black Balsam Road, along the Flat Laurel Creek trail (where you will generally have access to water), and toward Sam Knob on the various trails (but not in the mowed wildlife meadow). Please avoid any and all trampling of the vegetation, leaving trash, enlarging campfire rings, or cutting standing wood in this area! Remember, campfires are NOT ALLOWED within the Shining Rock Wilderness boundaries - bring a camp stove.
Lodging is available in the nearby towns of Brevard, Waynesville, or Asheville, all within about one hour's drive to the Black Balsam area.
From Asheville, take the Blue Ridge Parkway South past Mount Pisgah, US Hwy. 276, and Graveyard Fields. Just past milepost 420, look for the road to Black Balsam (FR 816) on the right. The (semi) paved road travels about 0.8 miles to the first parking area where the Art Loeb and Mountains to Sea trails cross. This is the easiest route to the top of Black Balsam itself. The road travels down another 1/4 mile to the Black Balsam Parking Area, where there are pit toilets, informational signs, and several trailheads.
