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
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
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
Alaina B
VerifiedSeptember 13, 2022 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Our stay at Balsam Mtn Campground was beyond wonderful. We stayed at Site 10 and it was spacious and well cared for (as were all the other sites). The bathrooms were super clean --they had running water and flush toilets. The dishwashing station was great too and bear safety was maintained throughout the campsite. We hiked the Flat Creek Trail, which you can either start right in the campground on a side trail, or walk up the road to the trailhead. The start of the Flat Creek trailhead is also a beautiful, beautiful lookout for sunsets or morning views. I will never forget our stay here and I hope to be back with friends soon!!
Alaina B
VerifiedSeptember 13, 2022 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Our stay at Balsam Mtn Campground was beyond wonderful. We stayed at Site 10 and it was spacious and well cared for (as were all the other sites). The bathrooms were super clean --they had running water and flush toilets. The dishwashing station was great too and bear safety was maintained throughout the campsite. We hiked the Flat Creek Trail, which you can either start right in the campground on a side trail, or walk up the road to the trailhead. The start of the Flat Creek trailhead is also a beautiful, beautiful lookout for sunsets or morning views. I will never forget our stay here and I hope to be back with friends soon!!
William K
VerifiedSeptember 10, 2022 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
this was a great camping experience. the campground was great, the camp host Ron was great, the views and wildlife were great.
William K
VerifiedSeptember 10, 2022 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
this was a great camping experience. the campground was great, the camp host Ron was great, the views and wildlife were great.
James G
VerifiedSeptember 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.
Philippe D
VerifiedSeptember 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 !
James G
VerifiedSeptember 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.
Philippe D
VerifiedSeptember 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 !
Larry D
VerifiedAugust 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).
Larry D
VerifiedAugust 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).
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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