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
Balsam Lake Fire Tower (updated)
Incredible 360° wilderness views make this hike spectacular at any time of year.
Catskills Fire Tower Challenge 2023
Everything you need to complete the Catskills Fire Tower Challenge.
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!
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 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.
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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