Sylva, North Carolina

Balsam Mountain Preserve

Community Information

Homes: Priced from $1.5 million - $5 million+
Homesteads: Priced from $350,000 - $1 million+
Fractional Shares: Priced from $100,000+

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Balsam Mountain Preserve
Balsam Mountain Preserve is a western North Carolina mountain community with a history steeped in preservation and built on a commitment to preserve its natural surroundings – some 4,400 acres that are home to less than one residence per acre. The Preserve is the lowest density private community in the Carolinas. Located less than 40 minutes west of Asheville, this gated community offers a mountain lifestyle complete with championship golf, outdoor recreation, and a vibrant social calendar.

Describing the 18-hole, championship course he designed, Arnold Palmer said it best: “Mountainous terrain, spectacular views of surrounding mountains and beautiful streams are what make Balsam Mountain Preserve different from any course I have ever designed.”

At the heart of the Preserve is the new Doubletop Village – a mountain hamlet of dining and recreational amenities overlooking Balsam’s Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course. Doubletop Village features the architecturally stunning Summit House, with a private dining room and an expansive terrace for outdoor dining. Across the courtyard, the Mine Tavern offers casual indoor and outdoor restaurant service. There is a General Store and Pro Shop, and two great lawns for bocce, croquet, badminton, putting green and other sports. Within the Village will sit 23 turn-key cottages with mountain views and in walking distance to the new amenities.

More than a golf community, Balsam Mountain Preserve offers amenities for a variety of interests. At Dark Ridge Creek Camp, members can stay in tents or the camp bunkhouses and enjoy fly fishing in the nearby ‘North Carolina Class A’ mountain trout stream. Club members also enjoy the Ruby Valley Fitness & Wellness Center, which offers a myriad of group fitness classes, personal training and massage therapy. Take advantage of the 42 miles of private hiking trails, a Nature Center, and an Equestrian Center with trails, peaks, and valleys to explore on horseback.

Balsam Mountain Preserve has fewer than 400 homes spread across 4,400-forested acres, with a selection of real estate offerings including fractional ownership cabins, Doubletop Cottages, estate homes and homesites with elevations up to 4,700 feet. Request More Information now!

Contact Information

Balsam Mountain Preserve
81 Preserve Road
Sylva, North Carolina 28779
Telephone (828) 631-1040
Info@BalsamMountain.com

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Community Highlights
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  • Acreage

    4,400 acres (1,780 hectares)

  • Gatehouse

    24-hour gatehouse manned by a dedicated team of security professionals

  • Club Structure

    Private club with several membership levels which are inheritable and transferable

  • Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course

    18-hole mountain golf course with elevations reaching upwards of 3,700 feet

  • Palmer Practice Park

    Features multi-level tee surfaces and a short game area that represents the evolving nature of golf today. It provides a more casual, brisker playing alternative to Balsam’s full-length Signature 18-hole course. Palmer Practice Park opens the game to more community members with opportunities for night play, junior golf, and golf clinics.

  • Dark Ridge Creek Camp

    Rustic outpost that can be reserved for civilized wilderness adventures and social outings; includes tents, bunkhouses, running water provided by a hydro-powered water wheel, and fishing streams

  • Ruby Valley Fitness & Wellness Pavilion

    Gathering place for family and friends offering a 24-hour fitness center, heated junior Olympic pool, Har-Tru tennis courts, and outdoor patio with a fire pit; planned expansion will include cardio and strength studios, spa services, massage rooms, and a relaxation garden

  • Equestrian Center

    Features a stable with on-site boarding, riding arena, and fenced pastures; private lessons for children and adults, and guided rides on more than 34 miles of private trails

  • Hiking Trails & Trout Fishing

    More than 42 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails throughout the Preserve’s 4,400 acres; 38 miles of streams with brook and rainbow trout

  • Nature Center

    Home of the Balsam Mountain Trust, a nonprofit dedicated to the history and preservation of the area; the Trust employs full-time naturalists who care for the 3,400 acres of Balsam’s protected forests, lead its Birds of Prey Program, and have developed multi-generational activities for members and their families; year-round program includes guided nature hikes, bird watching excursions, botanical walks, community outreach programs, and summer kids’ camps

  • Doubletop Village & Cottages

    The On-site village offers indoor and outdoor dining with The Summit House restaurant and Mine Tavern. An Organic Community Garden, General Store/Pro Shop as well as a Great lawn and event lawn for Bocce or Croquet. The village is surrounded by 23 Turnkey Cottages, which are all within walking distance to the new amenities.

  • Location

    Minutes from Sylva and Waynesville’s Duke LifePoint hospitals, grocery stores, restaurants, and performing arts attractions; Less than 40 minutes from Asheville, renowned for its cultural and entertainment scene; Asheville Regional Airport offers daily non-stop flights to Charlotte, Atlanta, New York, Washington DC, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Detroit, and several other destinations

  • Homes For Sale

    Priced from $1,500,000 to $5 million+

  • Homesteads For Sale

    Priced from $350,000 to $1 million

  • Fractional Shares for Sale

    Priced from $100,000+

  • Doubletop Village Cottages for Sale

    2 Bedroom Floorplans starting from the mid $800,000s

  • Disclaimer: Prices subject to change. Void where prohibited.

Request More Information About Balsam Mountain Preserve

Balsam Mountain Preserve

81 Preserve Road

Sylva, North Carolina 28779

35.3434 -83.203113

Community News

Balsam Mountain Preserve Unveils New Historic Outpost
Sylva, NC (November 8, 2018) – Balsam Mountain Preserve, a private residential community in the Blue Ridge Mountains, unveiled the newly renovated historic Outpost, a gathering place that embraces the community’s ethos of conservation through historic preservation.  [ read more ]

Balsam Mountain Preserve Unveils First Palmer Practice Park
Sylva, NC (October 3, 2018) — Balsam Mountain Preserve, a conservation-oriented residential community in the Blue Ridge Mountains, recently unveiled Palmer Practice Park, a new state-of-the-art golf practice facility designed by Arnold Palmer Design Company. [ read more ]

Balsam Mountain Preserve Strengthens its Commitment to Sustainability
Sylva, NC (August 21, 2018) — Balsam Mountain Preserve, a low-density, conservation-orientated private residential community set on 4,400 acres in the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville, furthers its commitment to sustainable living by welcoming Dave Walters to the sales and development team.  [ read more ]

3 Reviews From Residents
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Heaven on Earth

Eric K - Verified Resident (Since 2008)

No other community exists like Balsam. Beautiful, private destination with wonderful and numerous amenities. You will fall in love on your first visit Even better than the wonderful mountains, streams, hiking, golf, tennis, horseback riding and swimming are the residents. Yoou will meet and create the best friendships of your life. We all have in c ...

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Unique and wonderful spot!

Mary B - Verified Resident (Since 2010)

Balsam Mountain Preserve is a very special and beautiful place to live. Because it is also a nature preserve, it attracts residents who love nature and the outdoors. There is never a shortage of things to do, and easy to find friends to join in. We love every minute of the time we are able to spend here!

Best lifestyle decision we ever made.

GRH - Verified Resident (Since 05-08-2012)

As early owner/members at Balsam Mountain Preserve we can say that it just keeps getting better, year after year. It's all about the community and the friends we've made that are now "old" friends with new ones coming on board regularly. One can find golf and/or or build a home anywhere in the mountains, but the informal closeness of this community ...

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