Available sites
42 total sitesAbout Balsam Mountain Campground
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
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
Ruth F
VerifiedSeptember 18, 2026 • Stayed at: 23, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Fantastic camp host. Bathrooms were very clean.
Steve W
VerifiedSeptember 15, 2026 • Stayed at: 06, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
This is our favorite .gov campground. Easily 5-10 degrees cooler because of the elevation. Great place to escape the heat and be at one with nature. Clean bathrooms too.
Anne L
VerifiedSeptember 15, 2026 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Great summer temperature relief. Always nice to stay at a smaller campground in the Smokies. I love the wildlife that can be seen at all times. Be ready to drive to get places, but there are good locations to visit from the campground.
Willie H
VerifiedSeptember 14, 2026 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Had a great time so quite and peaceful
Richard H
VerifiedSeptember 12, 2026 • Stayed at: 42, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Nice place to camp during summer. Elevation helps to keep it cool. Very quite and peaceful park. Saw elk on the road to the park. The host Richard was very friendly and helpful. He came around to let us know there was a bear roaming around one of the campsites and to be careful. Really enjoyed the stay tnere.
jay s
VerifiedSeptember 11, 2026 • Stayed at: 40, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
beautiful primitive campground. has water and exceptionally clean bathrooms! saw elk every day there and a groundhog. the overlook at the end of the campground road is a beautiful place to watch the sunset. although it was the hottest days of the summer it was very pleasant due to the higher elevation. definitely gets an A grade for those wanting to camp primitively in a clean well kept campground and the campgound caretaker was very nice, available and helpful!
Taylor S
VerifiedSeptember 8, 2026 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Very nice little campground. We were here the weekend before Labor Day and it was very quiet. The camp was well maintained, bathrooms VERY clean. The only reason why I would hesitate to come back is that the camp spaces are very close to each other. If you were camping with a group and you could get some of the spots together that would be better, otherwise you'll be very close to your neighbors. Bring a lamp for the bathroom once dark as there are no lights in there. Overall, we had a very nice time. The area is beautiful. Heard an Elk bugle in the morning.
Nancy J
VerifiedSeptember 5, 2026 • Stayed at: 04, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Best campground in the Smokies. Good hiking and coolest weather especially in August!!
Mark P
VerifiedSeptember 1, 2026 • Stayed at: 33, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Great campground. My only complaint is that there seemed to be a lot more cars than available campsites. We had an unknown extra car parked in our one site spot.
Andrew F
VerifiedAugust 31, 2026 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Temperature dropped 15 degrees climbing from Cherokee up to Balsam. It's a fantastic summer retreat from the heat. No electricity and smaller campsites means it's quiet at night, without the constant hum of RV air conditioners and people that bring all the comforts of home with them. Bathrooms have no lights and no hot water. It's that perfect step up from a pit toilet. I can't recommend it enough. I will absolutely be coming back.
Don't forget to take the mile walk down to the trailhead and watch the sunset from the overlook. Worth every minute.
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