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
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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
Kevin V
VerifiedJuly 15, 2023 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
I chose this campground because I was travelling in the dead of summer and the altitude of the campground was promising for cooler nights. The one night I stay at the campground was indeed cool, probably 15 degrees below that of lower elevations.
However, I would not recommend this campground for test camping. The campsites are WAY too close together, there is absolutely no privacy. My campsite (tent pad) was maybe 25 ft from two other tent pads, with nothing blocking views or noise. Also, there are is no electrical, so expect people with campers to be running generators all day, which may or be 50 ft from your tent. There is a section of 5 sites that are tent only (no vehicle access), but even those are way too close together. To get to one of those sites, you have to walk right through somebody else's site. Unacceptable. In my opinion, this campground needs to decrease the number of sites by about 50% to make the sites reasonably far apart.
My original reservation was for two nights, and I skipped my second night and moved to a different campground because I was so unsatisfied.
Facilities were fine, everything was clean and check-in was a breeze.
Kevin V
VerifiedJuly 15, 2023 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
I chose this campground because I was travelling in the dead of summer and the altitude of the campground was promising for cooler nights. The one night I stay at the campground was indeed cool, probably 15 degrees below that of lower elevations.
However, I would not recommend this campground for test camping. The campsites are WAY too close together, there is absolutely no privacy. My campsite (tent pad) was maybe 25 ft from two other tent pads, with nothing blocking views or noise. Also, there are is no electrical, so expect people with campers to be running generators all day, which may or be 50 ft from your tent. There is a section of 5 sites that are tent only (no vehicle access), but even those are way too close together. To get to one of those sites, you have to walk right through somebody else's site. Unacceptable. In my opinion, this campground needs to decrease the number of sites by about 50% to make the sites reasonably far apart.
My original reservation was for two nights, and I skipped my second night and moved to a different campground because I was so unsatisfied.
Facilities were fine, everything was clean and check-in was a breeze.
Jonathan A
VerifiedJuly 13, 2023 • Stayed at: 22, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Everything seemed great, but got rained out
Jonathan A
VerifiedJuly 13, 2023 • Stayed at: 22, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Everything seemed great, but got rained out
Kathleen R
VerifiedJuly 11, 2023 • Stayed at: 04, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Small but a favorite campground of ours, especially in the summer when it’s hot at the lowe elevations it is perfect here.
Kathleen R
VerifiedJuly 11, 2023 • Stayed at: 04, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Small but a favorite campground of ours, especially in the summer when it’s hot at the lowe elevations it is perfect here.
Paul C
VerifiedJuly 6, 2023 • Stayed at: 30, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
The campground was extremely well kept and clean due to the efforts of the camp's groundskeeper.
Well kept tent pads, paths, and common areas. No litter anywhere. Even the bathrooms were very clean and sanitary.
This was the nicest campground I have ever used. Truly amazing!
Glenn W
VerifiedJuly 6, 2023 • Stayed at: 04, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Maintenance person Steve does an excellent keeping area nice and clean while attending to us and all our needs while camping.
Paul C
VerifiedJuly 6, 2023 • Stayed at: 30, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
The campground was extremely well kept and clean due to the efforts of the camp's groundskeeper.
Well kept tent pads, paths, and common areas. No litter anywhere. Even the bathrooms were very clean and sanitary.
This was the nicest campground I have ever used. Truly amazing!
Glenn W
VerifiedJuly 6, 2023 • Stayed at: 04, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Maintenance person Steve does an excellent keeping area nice and clean while attending to us and all our needs while camping.
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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