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755 reviews
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.
Based on guest feedback
4.5
Based on 755 reviews
Showing 755 reviews
August 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.
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August 28, 2022 Stayed at: 11, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Sadly our weekend was ruined by noisy campers who talked and drank until the wee hours of the morning, complained to camp host after 1st but nothing happened to quiet then the second night. I tried politely asking the noisy campers to be quieter, but they said no, we're having too much fun.
Campsites are way too close to one another.
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August 28, 2022 Stayed at: 11, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Sadly our weekend was ruined by noisy campers who talked and drank until the wee hours of the morning, complained to camp host after 1st but nothing happened to quiet then the second night. I tried politely asking the noisy campers to be quieter, but they said no, we're having too much fun.
Campsites are way too close to one another.
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August 30, 2022 Stayed at: 22, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Campground hosts were professional, helpful, knowledgeable and friendly. The bathrooms were the cleanest I ever recall. The waterless urinals are a welcome addition. Great to see some growth coming back to give the campsites on the top of the hill more shade coverage.
Please do not even think about closing this campground.
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August 30, 2022 Stayed at: 22, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Campground hosts were professional, helpful, knowledgeable and friendly. The bathrooms were the cleanest I ever recall. The waterless urinals are a welcome addition. Great to see some growth coming back to give the campsites on the top of the hill more shade coverage.
Please do not even think about closing this campground.
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August 31, 2022 Stayed at: 17, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Clean bathrooms and campground. Park information does not make it clear that there is a water supply able to fill a rv holding tank via a threaded hose. It would be good to include that information along side the information that there is no dumping station(but can dump at Smokemont CG).
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August 31, 2022 Stayed at: 17, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Clean bathrooms and campground. Park information does not make it clear that there is a water supply able to fill a rv holding tank via a threaded hose. It would be good to include that information along side the information that there is no dumping station(but can dump at Smokemont CG).
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September 8, 2022 Stayed at: 24, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Our host Ron recommended the sunset view and we were so grateful he did ! What a stunning place. Just a quick hike from the campground, a few feet into the flat creek trail from the picnic area, the area was breathtakingly beautiful. A much more relaxing and amazing experience than cades cove. Highly recommend !
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September 8, 2022 Stayed at: 01, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Great place to camp. I wish there was another campground this high up that is part of the park.
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September 8, 2022 Stayed at: 24, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Our host Ron recommended the sunset view and we were so grateful he did ! What a stunning place. Just a quick hike from the campground, a few feet into the flat creek trail from the picnic area, the area was breathtakingly beautiful. A much more relaxing and amazing experience than cades cove. Highly recommend !
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253 Smokemont Campground Road, Cherokee, NC 28719 United States
Elevation: 1,633 ft
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.
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.
The closest entrance is: Cataloochee Entrance
Approximate drive: 10.2 mi · 18 min
The closest entrance is: Arch Rock Entrance
Approximate drive: 31.7 mi · 54 min
Last updated: October 22, 2026
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Population: 2,059
Nearby city: Asheville, NC
Approx. 35 mi away (straight-line distance)
Elevation: 1,972 ft
Cherokee, NC
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