Balsam Lake

A short, easy hike to a fire tower with an epic view makes Balsam Lake one of the Catskill’s most popular and beloved peaks.

Peak Details

Height:  3,729ft  (1,137m)

Range:  Central Catskills

Level:  Easy

Scenic:   Very  

Trail Type:  Fully Trailed

 Balsam Lake Hiking Trails & Hikes

fire tower shot from below

Catskills Fire Tower Challenge 2024

Everything you need to complete the Catskills Fire Tower Challenge.

view from balsam lake fire tower of balsam forest below

Balsam Lake Fire Tower (updated)

Incredible 360° wilderness views make this hike spectacular at any time of year.

scenic sunset view from Pakatakan Mountain

18 Amazing Western Catskills Hikes

Some of the best day hikes are only a few hours from New York City. The Western Catskills have it all!

rock outcop

Thru-Hike Doubletop, Graham & Balsam Lake

This hike had it all: stream crossings, herd paths, bear prints, a canister, a memorably steep descent, a true bushwhack, a rugged ascent, an ice grotto, some old ruins and, to top it all off, a fire tower with amazing sunset views.

trail junction

Trail Maintenance, Balsam Lake, Fall 2019

Finished my 2019 maintenance by tidying up a few things between the two junctions on the south side of Balsam Lake. When I first took on this trail section in the spring, it hadn’t been tended to in many years and was very overgrown.

fire tower view across conifer forest

Graham Mountain & Balsam Lake

This long day-hike combines Graham and a loop around Balsam Lake’s summit.

 Balsam Lake Topography

 Summit Forecast: Balsam Lake

The page URL below shows the weather at Balsam Lake’s summit for the next six days.

If a foreacast for a peak is not directly available, this page may display a link to a nearby location.

https://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Balsam-Lake-Mountain/forecasts/1137

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