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
Darcy P
VerifiedSeptember 20, 2021 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Beautiful place. Camp host was friendly and attentive. Facilities clean.
Kassandra M
VerifiedSeptember 20, 2021 • Stayed at: 43, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
great place for camping with family if you want peace and quite this place is for you
Doug T
VerifiedSeptember 20, 2021 • Stayed at: 18, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Sites are close together, without a lot of privacy, but the temperature and weather were great for early August. I think the experience would vary quite a bit based on your site selection. Will definitely return.
Darcy P
VerifiedSeptember 20, 2021 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Beautiful place. Camp host was friendly and attentive. Facilities clean.
Jeremiah C
VerifiedSeptember 18, 2021 • Stayed at: 24, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Beautiful Peaceful Place to Camp and Explore!! ✌️✌️❤️❤️
Jeremiah C
VerifiedSeptember 18, 2021 • Stayed at: 24, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Beautiful Peaceful Place to Camp and Explore!! ✌️✌️❤️❤️
Staci B
VerifiedSeptember 16, 2021 • Stayed at: 18, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Great site if you want off the beaten path, nicely located to hiking trails and off roading trails. Fantastic scenic pull offs. Highly recommend sunset!
Staci B
VerifiedSeptember 16, 2021 • Stayed at: 18, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Great site if you want off the beaten path, nicely located to hiking trails and off roading trails. Fantastic scenic pull offs. Highly recommend sunset!
Tony O
VerifiedSeptember 13, 2021 • Stayed at: 06, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
We always love Balsam. Remote location, great camp hosts, usually clean bathrooms. We'll be back!
Erin A
VerifiedSeptember 13, 2021 • Stayed at: 42, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Because the campsite is so high up in the mountains, campers should pack extra long-sleeve clothing, jackets, boots and blankets. It feels colder than the weather reports because the mountain is enveloped in mist and cloud/water vapor much of the time. It is 10 - 20 degrees colder up there than Cherokee and Maggie Valley.
Also, campsite #42 was private with lots of tree cover, but needs some stone steps to enter down into it. After it rained, the slope was slippery and muddy.
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
