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
Russ B
VerifiedAugust 1, 2023 • Stayed at: 21, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Site manager was very nice and patiently waited for us to set up our tent before checking our registration and going over safety precautions. Much appreciated as we were late getting in. Campground was beautiful.
Russ B
VerifiedAugust 1, 2023 • Stayed at: 21, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Site manager was very nice and patiently waited for us to set up our tent before checking our registration and going over safety precautions. Much appreciated as we were late getting in. Campground was beautiful.
Carlos D
VerifiedJuly 29, 2023 • Stayed at: 40, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Lovely campground on high ground. Temperature was great. Host was great as well
Rodney P
VerifiedJuly 29, 2023 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Our most recent visit to Balsam Mountain Campground was in July. At our home in South Georgia, daytime temperatures were hovering around 100 F. Temps in the campground were in the 70's during the day and 50's at night. Even though it rained, this was a perfect respite from the heat at home. We met some amazing, kind friends during our stay and will definitely come again.
Rodney P
VerifiedJuly 29, 2023 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Our most recent visit to Balsam Mountain Campground was in July. At our home in South Georgia, daytime temperatures were hovering around 100 F. Temps in the campground were in the 70's during the day and 50's at night. Even though it rained, this was a perfect respite from the heat at home. We met some amazing, kind friends during our stay and will definitely come again.
Carlos D
VerifiedJuly 29, 2023 • Stayed at: 40, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Lovely campground on high ground. Temperature was great. Host was great as well
Gary T
VerifiedJuly 26, 2023 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Lovely and quiet. Just be sure you have everything you need because it's a long drive back to humans.
Tim B
VerifiedJuly 26, 2023 • Stayed at: 05, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
About as far from the crowds in Gatlinburg as you can get. A very beautiful campground that is one of the cleanest I've been in. Mild temperatures even in July. I do wish the campsite photos were up to date because #5 looked very shady on the site photos but those trees have been gone for some time. It is about a 30 minute drive from the main park road but we got used to it. We had our 9 and 11 year old sons with us and after hiking in the morning we would float in the numerous creeks in and around the park in the afternoon. Pro tip, bring your own inner tubes if you have space. The camp hosts (Don and Pamela) were very friendly and organized. They had to leave for a few days while we were there but the friendly National Parks Site Manager (S. Larsen) was a wealth of information and was able to recommend some great hikes in the area, the Flat Rock Trail has an amazing sunset overlook. I would 100% stay here again.
Tim B
VerifiedJuly 26, 2023 • Stayed at: 05, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
About as far from the crowds in Gatlinburg as you can get. A very beautiful campground that is one of the cleanest I've been in. Mild temperatures even in July. I do wish the campsite photos were up to date because #5 looked very shady on the site photos but those trees have been gone for some time. It is about a 30 minute drive from the main park road but we got used to it. We had our 9 and 11 year old sons with us and after hiking in the morning we would float in the numerous creeks in and around the park in the afternoon. Pro tip, bring your own inner tubes if you have space. The camp hosts (Don and Pamela) were very friendly and organized. They had to leave for a few days while we were there but the friendly National Parks Site Manager (S. Larsen) was a wealth of information and was able to recommend some great hikes in the area, the Flat Rock Trail has an amazing sunset overlook. I would 100% stay here again.
Gary T
VerifiedJuly 26, 2023 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Lovely and quiet. Just be sure you have everything you need because it's a long drive back to humans.
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 12, 2026
