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
Kori L
VerifiedAugust 26, 2022 • Stayed at: 09, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
We enjoyed our stay at the Balsam Mountain campground. The host was very nice, the facilities were very clean, and the nearby views were stunning. My only gripes are that some of the sites are really close together so it felt like our neighbors were right on top of us.
Kori L
VerifiedAugust 26, 2022 • Stayed at: 09, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
We enjoyed our stay at the Balsam Mountain campground. The host was very nice, the facilities were very clean, and the nearby views were stunning. My only gripes are that some of the sites are really close together so it felt like our neighbors were right on top of us.
Linda A
VerifiedAugust 25, 2022 • Stayed at: 33, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
A great place to camp during the dog days of August. The camp hosts were extremely friendly and helpful. The campground is off the beaten path and on the small side so it is quiet and peaceful.
Linda A
VerifiedAugust 25, 2022 • Stayed at: 33, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
A great place to camp during the dog days of August. The camp hosts were extremely friendly and helpful. The campground is off the beaten path and on the small side so it is quiet and peaceful.
Betsy L
VerifiedAugust 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 24, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
We love this campground! The weather was perfect for this trip. The only downside were the incredibly loud group of women who arrived at the site next to ours after 1030 on our last night and loudly tried to figure out how to set up their tent. Apparently, that involved starting up their truck four or five times, shining their. Headlights into our tent and laughing hysterically for over an hour, then they all slept in the truck! Good thing we were leaving he next morning!
Betsy L
VerifiedAugust 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 24, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
We love this campground! The weather was perfect for this trip. The only downside were the incredibly loud group of women who arrived at the site next to ours after 1030 on our last night and loudly tried to figure out how to set up their tent. Apparently, that involved starting up their truck four or five times, shining their. Headlights into our tent and laughing hysterically for over an hour, then they all slept in the truck! Good thing we were leaving he next morning!
Rich R
VerifiedAugust 23, 2022 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Balsam mountain campground site 14 review
Plenty of room to park, length and width. Parking is in the sun and a bit pitched in two directions, about two legos front to back and about one lego from the outside edge to the curb. The parking spot gets plenty of sun most of the day.
The tent pad gets a decent amount of shade most parts of the day, some strong sun around mid-day. Shade all day long under the old conifers that are great for hammocks.
Reception - spotty T-Mobile reception on the phone, spotty with the WeBoost and 5g mifi hot spot, but enough to keep in touch. Got starlink working best spots in the road in front of the sprinter or back on spot 16 by their tent pad.
It's a pretty remote campground, paved road all the way in, so much better than Cattaloochee. Some people are just here for one night, some for several nights. It's pretty quiet and low noise overall, no generators running, no kids running around. Almost always a breeze which is moderated by the trees that protect from all sides. Never a line in the bathroom. Very friendly and helpful camp host.
Rich R
VerifiedAugust 23, 2022 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Balsam mountain campground site 14 review
Plenty of room to park, length and width. Parking is in the sun and a bit pitched in two directions, about two legos front to back and about one lego from the outside edge to the curb. The parking spot gets plenty of sun most of the day.
The tent pad gets a decent amount of shade most parts of the day, some strong sun around mid-day. Shade all day long under the old conifers that are great for hammocks.
Reception - spotty T-Mobile reception on the phone, spotty with the WeBoost and 5g mifi hot spot, but enough to keep in touch. Got starlink working best spots in the road in front of the sprinter or back on spot 16 by their tent pad.
It's a pretty remote campground, paved road all the way in, so much better than Cattaloochee. Some people are just here for one night, some for several nights. It's pretty quiet and low noise overall, no generators running, no kids running around. Almost always a breeze which is moderated by the trees that protect from all sides. Never a line in the bathroom. Very friendly and helpful camp host.
donna m
VerifiedAugust 21, 2022 • Stayed at: 37, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Great spot for a campground! Peaceful!
donna m
VerifiedAugust 21, 2022 • Stayed at: 37, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Great spot for a campground! Peaceful!
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
