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
KEVEN L
VerifiedJune 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Quiet, beautiful. Great spot!
KEVEN L
VerifiedJune 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Quiet, beautiful. Great spot!
Danny M
VerifiedJune 4, 2023 • Stayed at: 38, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Park Service was not ready to open. Grass was not cut ,camp tent sites not racked Cut tree was in the way of campers. Hogs had rooted up everywhere. Front yard a Ranger house was awful, grass knee high
Danny M
VerifiedJune 4, 2023 • Stayed at: 38, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Park Service was not ready to open. Grass was not cut ,camp tent sites not racked Cut tree was in the way of campers. Hogs had rooted up everywhere. Front yard a Ranger house was awful, grass knee high
Yves S
VerifiedJune 2, 2023 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
This campground at 5000 plus elevation was what I was hoping for. Very cool tempatures and very quiet. Clean bathrooms were a plus. Definitely would stay here again.
Yves S
VerifiedJune 2, 2023 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
This campground at 5000 plus elevation was what I was hoping for. Very cool tempatures and very quiet. Clean bathrooms were a plus. Definitely would stay here again.
Laurie R
VerifiedJune 1, 2023 • Stayed at: 24, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
We really like this park. The natural wild flowers, hiking, elk, deer and bear make this a true adventure. It is our favorite place.
Laurie R
VerifiedJune 1, 2023 • Stayed at: 24, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
We really like this park. The natural wild flowers, hiking, elk, deer and bear make this a true adventure. It is our favorite place.
Rob S
VerifiedMay 30, 2023 • Stayed at: 24, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Beautiful, remote campground. Campsites are small and relatively close together. Parking for most sites is on the shoulder of the road so you don't actually pull into your site. Only a couple have their own parking spot. The weekend we were there the campground was full but the rainy weather sent a lot of tent campers home so it was very quiet at night. If you want to hike into the backcountry you'll need to drive a couple of miles back down to the trailhead. If you ride an ADV type motorcycle there are numerous gravel opportunities close by. I was using my phone for navigation and it had trouble locating the campground, it actually sent us over the Blue Ridge Parkway towards Maggie Valley. Overall a very nice place to spend a quiet weekend.
Rob S
VerifiedMay 30, 2023 • Stayed at: 24, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Beautiful, remote campground. Campsites are small and relatively close together. Parking for most sites is on the shoulder of the road so you don't actually pull into your site. Only a couple have their own parking spot. The weekend we were there the campground was full but the rainy weather sent a lot of tent campers home so it was very quiet at night. If you want to hike into the backcountry you'll need to drive a couple of miles back down to the trailhead. If you ride an ADV type motorcycle there are numerous gravel opportunities close by. I was using my phone for navigation and it had trouble locating the campground, it actually sent us over the Blue Ridge Parkway towards Maggie Valley. Overall a very nice place to spend a quiet weekend.
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
