About Balsam Mountain Campground
Number of accommodations: 42
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
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Rates, Sites & Availability
42 Sites Available
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Site Details
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42 Sites Available
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Reviews (680)
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
Gregory V
VerifiedAugust 4, 2024 • Stayed at: 23, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Stayed at site 23. Camp hosts were great. Site was well maintained, but the table had too much of a slope to be able to use my camp stove. Site was well shaded, which made relying on solar a bit problematic.
Ruth C
VerifiedAugust 4, 2024 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Very nice and quiet. Lovely and cool at this elevation even though late July. Never saw the campground host and the campground was only about a third full. I do wish they would have hand wash soap in the bathrooms.
Gregory V
VerifiedAugust 4, 2024 • Stayed at: 23, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Stayed at site 23. Camp hosts were great. Site was well maintained, but the table had too much of a slope to be able to use my camp stove. Site was well shaded, which made relying on solar a bit problematic.
Ruth C
VerifiedAugust 4, 2024 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Very nice and quiet. Lovely and cool at this elevation even though late July. Never saw the campground host and the campground was only about a third full. I do wish they would have hand wash soap in the bathrooms.
Michael H
VerifiedAugust 2, 2024 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Quiet, peaceful, and much cooler temps than other places due to the very high elevation. Camp hosts Ed and Judy were great!
Michael H
VerifiedAugust 2, 2024 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Quiet, peaceful, and much cooler temps than other places due to the very high elevation. Camp hosts Ed and Judy were great!
Mara V
VerifiedJuly 30, 2024 • Stayed at: 09, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Beautiful mountain site, a great reprieve from the summer heat.
Mara V
VerifiedJuly 30, 2024 • Stayed at: 09, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Beautiful mountain site, a great reprieve from the summer heat.
Nick A
VerifiedJuly 26, 2024 • Stayed at: 35, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
nice place to camp
Nick A
VerifiedJuly 26, 2024 • Stayed at: 35, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
nice place to camp
Location Balsam Mountain Campground
Address:
253 Smokemont Campground Road
Cherokee, NC, 28719
United States
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 miles 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 miles to Balsam Mountain Campground.
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.
Latitude & Longitude: 35.5654 / -83.1743
Elevation: 1633 feet
Nearby National Park
Arch Rock Entrance
Approximate driving time: 54 min
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 5, 2026
