BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Trail sign
BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Entrance
BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Walk in Sites

Featured amenities

Parking Parking
Restrooms Restrooms
Fire Pit Fire Pit

Available sites

42 total sites

About Balsam Mountain Campground

Balsam Mountain Campground is located in a relatively remote part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The secluded setting offers visitors the ability to enjoy a multitude of recreational activities without the crowds which are sometimes common in other parts of the park.

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking Parking
Restrooms Restrooms
Fire Pit Fire Pit
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
  • Restrooms
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Fire Pit
  • Campfire Ring
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

42 Sites Available

Site
Price
⛺ 01, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 02, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 03, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 04, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
⛺ 05, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 06, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 07, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 08, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
⛺ 09, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 10, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 11, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 12, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 13, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 14, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 15, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 16, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 17, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
⛺ 18, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 19, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 20, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 21, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 22, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 23, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ 24, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 25, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 26, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 27, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 28, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 29, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 30, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 31, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 32, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 33, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 34, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 35, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 36, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 37, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 38, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 39, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 40, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 42, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 43, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel

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.

Review Summary

4.5
755 reviews
5
66.2%
500
4
23.4%
177
3
4.6%
35
2
3.3%
25
1
2.4%
18

Taylor T

Verified

July 24, 2023 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

2

The campground was beautiful but the sites were incredibly close to each other. So close, that you could hear snoring from all over the campground. Add to that the guy in a tent 20 ft away talking on speakerphone from 10pm-1:30am and it made for an incredibly frustrating experience. We left 3 days early and won’t be back. Sites are just way too close together.

Tim B

Verified

July 26, 2023 • Stayed at: 05, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

5

About as far from the crowds in Gatlinburg as you can get. A very beautiful campground that is one of the cleanest I've been in. Mild temperatures even in July. I do wish the campsite photos were up to date because #5 looked very shady on the site photos but those trees have been gone for some time. It is about a 30 minute drive from the main park road but we got used to it. We had our 9 and 11 year old sons with us and after hiking in the morning we would float in the numerous creeks in and around the park in the afternoon. Pro tip, bring your own inner tubes if you have space. The camp hosts (Don and Pamela) were very friendly and organized. They had to leave for a few days while we were there but the friendly National Parks Site Manager (S. Larsen) was a wealth of information and was able to recommend some great hikes in the area, the Flat Rock Trail has an amazing sunset overlook. I would 100% stay here again.

Gary T

Verified

July 26, 2023 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

4

Lovely and quiet. Just be sure you have everything you need because it's a long drive back to humans.

Tim B

Verified

July 26, 2023 • Stayed at: 05, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

5

About as far from the crowds in Gatlinburg as you can get. A very beautiful campground that is one of the cleanest I've been in. Mild temperatures even in July. I do wish the campsite photos were up to date because #5 looked very shady on the site photos but those trees have been gone for some time. It is about a 30 minute drive from the main park road but we got used to it. We had our 9 and 11 year old sons with us and after hiking in the morning we would float in the numerous creeks in and around the park in the afternoon. Pro tip, bring your own inner tubes if you have space. The camp hosts (Don and Pamela) were very friendly and organized. They had to leave for a few days while we were there but the friendly National Parks Site Manager (S. Larsen) was a wealth of information and was able to recommend some great hikes in the area, the Flat Rock Trail has an amazing sunset overlook. I would 100% stay here again.

Gary T

Verified

July 26, 2023 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

4

Lovely and quiet. Just be sure you have everything you need because it's a long drive back to humans.

Carlos D

Verified

July 29, 2023 • Stayed at: 40, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

5

Lovely campground on high ground. Temperature was great. Host was great as well

Rodney P

Verified

July 29, 2023 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

5

Our most recent visit to Balsam Mountain Campground was in July. At our home in South Georgia, daytime temperatures were hovering around 100 F. Temps in the campground were in the 70's during the day and 50's at night. Even though it rained, this was a perfect respite from the heat at home. We met some amazing, kind friends during our stay and will definitely come again.

Carlos D

Verified

July 29, 2023 • Stayed at: 40, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

5

Lovely campground on high ground. Temperature was great. Host was great as well

Rodney P

Verified

July 29, 2023 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

5

Our most recent visit to Balsam Mountain Campground was in July. At our home in South Georgia, daytime temperatures were hovering around 100 F. Temps in the campground were in the 70's during the day and 50's at night. Even though it rained, this was a perfect respite from the heat at home. We met some amazing, kind friends during our stay and will definitely come again.

Russ B

Verified

August 1, 2023 • Stayed at: 21, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

5

Site manager was very nice and patiently waited for us to set up our tent before checking our registration and going over safety precautions. Much appreciated as we were late getting in. Campground was beautiful.

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...

Nearest town

Cherokee, NC - 22 mi

About 42 min to downtown

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

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

In Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Approximate driving time: 18 min

Yosemite National Park

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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