Available sites
42 total sites
RV Sites
Tent Sites
About Balsam Mountain Campground
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Parking
Restrooms
Fire Pit
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
- Restrooms
Cooking and Fire
- Fire Pit
- Campfire Ring
Parking and Transport
- Parking
Rates, Sites & Availability
42 Sites Available
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Site Details
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42 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (755)
What Guests Are Saying
Balsam Mountain Campground offers beautiful, well-maintained sites with plenty of wildlife and hiking opportunities, making it a perfect escape from summer heat. Many visitors appreciate the friendly hosts and clean facilities, while the atmosphere is described as quiet and serene. Although some sites may feel close together and there are occasional issues with amenities like firewood, the overall experience is highly praised, with many returning annually for its charm and natural beauty.
What Guests Are Saying
Balsam Mountain Campground offers beautiful, well-maintained sites with plenty of wildlife and hiking opportunities, making it a perfect escape from summer heat. Many visitors appreciate the friendly hosts and clean facilities, while the atmosphere is described as quiet and serene. Although some sites may feel close together and there are occasional issues with amenities like firewood, the overall experience is highly praised, with many returning annually for its charm and natural beauty.
Review Summary
William J
VerifiedOctober 21, 2025 • Stayed at: 30, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Beautiful and quiet!
William J
VerifiedOctober 21, 2025 • Stayed at: 30, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Beautiful and quiet!
Steven C
VerifiedOctober 20, 2025 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
- Sites at the end of the loop are too close together for comfort at times (shrieking kids)
- Firewood is available at the Mile High Campground near the turnoff from the Blue Ridge Pkwy.
- Ice is available from Maggie Valley and Cherokee
- Bring headlamps and soap for the bathrooms (they don't want permanent bear attractants there)
- If you're on a bike either get a walk-in tent site or ask campers in one if you can share their bear box. Loop sites don't have them and there are none for general use.
- Loved the place and appreciated the friendly staff.
Steven C
VerifiedOctober 20, 2025 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
- Sites at the end of the loop are too close together for comfort at times (shrieking kids)
- Firewood is available at the Mile High Campground near the turnoff from the Blue Ridge Pkwy.
- Ice is available from Maggie Valley and Cherokee
- Bring headlamps and soap for the bathrooms (they don't want permanent bear attractants there)
- If you're on a bike either get a walk-in tent site or ask campers in one if you can share their bear box. Loop sites don't have them and there are none for general use.
- Loved the place and appreciated the friendly staff.
Brian P
VerifiedOctober 19, 2025 • Stayed at: 09, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Lovely campground! Nice and secluded yet accessible! Beautiful views and really well taken care off! Will definitely come back!
Brian P
VerifiedOctober 19, 2025 • Stayed at: 09, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Lovely campground! Nice and secluded yet accessible! Beautiful views and really well taken care off! Will definitely come back!
Josh R
VerifiedOctober 16, 2025 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Camp host was very friendly and helpful
Josh R
VerifiedOctober 16, 2025 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Camp host was very friendly and helpful
Donna W
VerifiedOctober 13, 2025 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Loved the quiet nature of this small campground. Spacious sites and beautiful surroundings. No amenities and no bothers.
Donna W
VerifiedOctober 13, 2025 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Loved the quiet nature of this small campground. Spacious sites and beautiful surroundings. No amenities and no bothers.
Location & Directions for Balsam Mountain Campground
253 Smokemont Campground Road, Cherokee, NC 28719 United States
Elevation: 1,633 ft
Getting There
From the North: From I-40 take Exit 20 Maggie Valley, NC and travel US-19 towards Cherokee, NC. Access the Blue Ridge Parkway at Soco Gap and continue South to mile 458.2, turning right onto Heintooga Ridge Road. Enter Great Smoky Mountains Nat...
From the North: From I-40 take Exit 20 Maggie Valley, NC and travel US-19 towards Cherokee, NC. Access the Blue Ridge Parkway at Soco Gap and continue South to mile 458.2, turning right onto Heintooga Ridge Road. Enter Great Smoky Mountains National Park at Black Camp Gap and continue 9 mi to Balsam Mountain Campground. From the South: Follow US-441/US-23 North. At Dillsboro merge onto US-74 West/US-441 North. At exit 74 merge onto US-441. Continue on US-441 through Cherokee, NC and into the park. Access the Blue Ridge Parkway traveling North to mile 458.2, turning left onto Heintooga Ridge Road. Enter Great Smoky Mountains National Park at Black Camp Gap and continue 9 mi to Balsam Mountain Campground.
Highway access
Balsam Mountain Campground is accessible via I-40, US-19, US-441, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. I-40 is approximately 20 miles to the north, with access via Exit 20 to US-19. US-441 also provides access through Cherokee, NC.
Nearby National Park
In Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Approximate driving time: 18 min
Arch Rock Entrance
Approximate driving time: 54 min
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: October 22, 2026
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Explore Cherokee, NC
Population: 2,059
Nearby city: Asheville, NC
Approx. 35 mi away (straight-line distance)
Elevation: 1,972 ft
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