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
Evan R
VerifiedAugust 19, 2021 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Was going to camp here for several days. When I arrived I realized it wasn't very kid friendly. And decided to cancel my reservation and only stay for a night. This campground is far from civilization, not many hiking trails to pick from. The few they have are not kid friendly. The site I stayed at had a very steep hill from the road to the camp. It had steps but they looked more slippery and dangerous than the hill. Anyway.. I was getting ready to leave for our next campsite the following morning when as I was taking my 6 month old to the car and slipped and fell busting my head on the grass. My 6 month old was fine but was startled. I spent over $70 to camp there and when I canceled my reservation I only received $7 and some change back. What a shame. I tried to contact recreation.gov to see about being refunded, but was not able to find a direct number.
Stephanie R
VerifiedAugust 19, 2021 • Stayed at: 40, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
The drive there was beautiful but the campsite itself was a bit crammed for my liking. I could hear everything my neighbors were saying clearly.
Evan R
VerifiedAugust 19, 2021 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Was going to camp here for several days. When I arrived I realized it wasn't very kid friendly. And decided to cancel my reservation and only stay for a night. This campground is far from civilization, not many hiking trails to pick from. The few they have are not kid friendly. The site I stayed at had a very steep hill from the road to the camp. It had steps but they looked more slippery and dangerous than the hill. Anyway.. I was getting ready to leave for our next campsite the following morning when as I was taking my 6 month old to the car and slipped and fell busting my head on the grass. My 6 month old was fine but was startled. I spent over $70 to camp there and when I canceled my reservation I only received $7 and some change back. What a shame. I tried to contact recreation.gov to see about being refunded, but was not able to find a direct number.
Stephanie R
VerifiedAugust 19, 2021 • Stayed at: 40, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
The drive there was beautiful but the campsite itself was a bit crammed for my liking. I could hear everything my neighbors were saying clearly.
Jan B
VerifiedAugust 21, 2021 • Stayed at: 38, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
The campground was well maintained. George the maintenance guy was very personal and pleasant and kept things in good order. The campground hosts, Ron and Michelle, were nice and always available. It would be nice to have firewood for sale at this campground.
JAMES H
VerifiedAugust 21, 2021 • Stayed at: 08, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
The campground was very clean and the bathrooms were very clean. The camp host were very nice and knowledgeable about the area
Jan B
VerifiedAugust 21, 2021 • Stayed at: 38, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
The campground was well maintained. George the maintenance guy was very personal and pleasant and kept things in good order. The campground hosts, Ron and Michelle, were nice and always available. It would be nice to have firewood for sale at this campground.
JAMES H
VerifiedAugust 21, 2021 • Stayed at: 08, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
The campground was very clean and the bathrooms were very clean. The camp host were very nice and knowledgeable about the area
Debra B
VerifiedAugust 22, 2021 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
This is mostly a campground for tents and hammocks. We love the campground and go every chance we get. However some of the sites are close to each other. The reserved site next to us came in at 3 in the morning and had to open the box their tent came in. If you’re a first time camper practice setting up your tent and at least get to your site before dark. We have woken up in our tent at campgrounds and have seen campers that came in over night and we never heard or saw them.
Debra B
VerifiedAugust 22, 2021 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
This is mostly a campground for tents and hammocks. We love the campground and go every chance we get. However some of the sites are close to each other. The reserved site next to us came in at 3 in the morning and had to open the box their tent came in. If you’re a first time camper practice setting up your tent and at least get to your site before dark. We have woken up in our tent at campgrounds and have seen campers that came in over night and we never heard or saw them.
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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