Richland Balsam, Mountain summit in Great Balsam Range, North Carolina, US
Rising to 6,410 feet, Richland Balsam features dense spruce-fir forests and marks the highest point along the Blue Ridge Parkway at its southwestern slope.
The mountain's ecological landscape changed significantly in the late 1970s when balsam woolly adelgids, introduced around 1900, began affecting the Fraser Fir population.
The Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway maintain the mountain trails with 750 volunteers, establishing a dedicated Balsam chapter in November 2020.
Visitors access the summit through a 1.5-mile loop trail starting at Haywood-Jackson Overlook, gaining approximately 700 feet in elevation during the hike.
The mountain stands as the boundary between Jackson and Haywood Counties, supporting one of only ten Southern Appalachian spruce-fir forest stands.
Location: North Carolina
GPS coordinates: 35.36732,-82.99041
Latest update: March 17, 2025 20:10
Cold Mountain
13.1 km
Black Balsam Knob
11.4 km
Art Loeb Trail
15 km
Waterrock Knob
17.2 km
Shining Rock Wilderness
13.4 km
Shining Rock
11.6 km
Courthouse Falls
13.8 km
Middle Prong Wilderness
5.8 km
Tanasee Bald
10.7 km
Log Hollow Falls
17.3 km
Frog Level Historic District
14.2 km
Frank Smathers House
15.5 km
Boone-Withers House
13.7 km
Joyner Building
18.1 km
Francis Grist Mill
12.3 km
Waynesville Main Street Historic District
14.2 km
Dr. J. Howell Way House
13.4 km
Masonic Hall
13.6 km
Charles and Annie Quinlan House
13.3 km
Shackford Hall
17.5 km
Shelton House
13.1 km
Haywood County Courthouse
13.9 km
Alden and Thomasene Howell House
14.2 km
Clyde H. Ray Sr. House
14.4 km
Former Citizens Bank and Trust Company Building
13.7 km
Judaculla Rock
13.1 km
Richland Balsam Overlook
518 m
Lake Junaluska
17.6 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes