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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42 Sites Available
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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
Andrew K
VerifiedAugust 7, 2021 • Stayed at: 31, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Campsites are very close together but quiet time is enforced from 10pm to 6am. Bathrooms were very clean and camp hosts were very helpful and friendly
Andrew K
VerifiedAugust 7, 2021 • Stayed at: 31, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Campsites are very close together but quiet time is enforced from 10pm to 6am. Bathrooms were very clean and camp hosts were very helpful and friendly
Judy B
VerifiedAugust 12, 2021 • Stayed at: 35, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
We were lucky to be able to reserve a camping spot at Balsam Mountain Campground. There wasn't much choice and we chose site number 35 hoping that we would be lucky. The site had stairs to the tent site that you had to navigate carefully; the tent pad was gravel and level, but that was the only thing that was level. The picnic table heeled over so that anything you put on it tended to slide a bit. Around the fire pit there wasn't really any level spot to put a chair. And the sites are close together; we had neighbors with kids who apologized for the noise but that's what kids do and it's fine. Since there were no bear lockers we had to keep everything food related in the car so we chose to go elsewhere to a picnic table near the Blue Ridge Parkway for our breakfast and dinner, since we were mostly gone hiking anyway. The Camp Host was very kind and lent us a good book with hiking trails of which we did a bunch. Great descriptions. There are no showers but you can get wet in - for example - the river near the Oconaluftee Visitor's Center if you want or need to. The ladies bathroom didn't have light. We were hoping to see some good starry nights but had clouds at night so can't say much about that. There is one nice hike nearby that takes you to a creek; it's beautiful. It's a one way hike; I would recommend to take the same way back otherwise you have to hike on the road.
Judy B
VerifiedAugust 12, 2021 • Stayed at: 35, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
We were lucky to be able to reserve a camping spot at Balsam Mountain Campground. There wasn't much choice and we chose site number 35 hoping that we would be lucky. The site had stairs to the tent site that you had to navigate carefully; the tent pad was gravel and level, but that was the only thing that was level. The picnic table heeled over so that anything you put on it tended to slide a bit. Around the fire pit there wasn't really any level spot to put a chair. And the sites are close together; we had neighbors with kids who apologized for the noise but that's what kids do and it's fine. Since there were no bear lockers we had to keep everything food related in the car so we chose to go elsewhere to a picnic table near the Blue Ridge Parkway for our breakfast and dinner, since we were mostly gone hiking anyway. The Camp Host was very kind and lent us a good book with hiking trails of which we did a bunch. Great descriptions. There are no showers but you can get wet in - for example - the river near the Oconaluftee Visitor's Center if you want or need to. The ladies bathroom didn't have light. We were hoping to see some good starry nights but had clouds at night so can't say much about that. There is one nice hike nearby that takes you to a creek; it's beautiful. It's a one way hike; I would recommend to take the same way back otherwise you have to hike on the road.
Chris T
VerifiedAugust 13, 2021 • Stayed at: 36, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Amazing camp hosts and very clean campground and facilities!
Chris T
VerifiedAugust 13, 2021 • Stayed at: 36, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Amazing camp hosts and very clean campground and facilities!
John R
VerifiedAugust 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
The elevation and location are very nice. The campsites are too close together. Showers would be really nice, as would bear boxes.
John R
VerifiedAugust 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
The elevation and location are very nice. The campsites are too close together. Showers would be really nice, as would bear boxes.
Olivia C
VerifiedAugust 17, 2021 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Beautiful overlook views and a clean campsite. Bathrooms were lacking soap, not the best during covid season.
Olivia C
VerifiedAugust 17, 2021 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Beautiful overlook views and a clean campsite. Bathrooms were lacking soap, not the best during covid season.
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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