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
No sites found matching your criteria.
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.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
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
Peter T
VerifiedJuly 5, 2022 • Stayed at: 08, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
A quiet, peaceful place to rest and relax away from the normal hustle, bustle and traffic of a national park. Not for the inexperienced and unprepared. But, if you know what you're doing, well worth the trip up the mountain.
Peter T
VerifiedJuly 5, 2022 • Stayed at: 08, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
A quiet, peaceful place to rest and relax away from the normal hustle, bustle and traffic of a national park. Not for the inexperienced and unprepared. But, if you know what you're doing, well worth the trip up the mountain.
David B
VerifiedJuly 4, 2022 • Stayed at: 27, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
I love this campground. The key features are that the weather is cool even in July and it is the quietest place I know. If there is no wind, the nights are completely silent. That's the way it used to be, anyway. The attraction to Balsam Mountain Campground now is that it has excellent cel service for many and a good view of the sky for satellite tv. Campers were running generators all day to charge their phones and tablets. I heard news blaring from campers. SMS notifications from neighboring tents late into the night. There are rules about this in the National Park but, sadly, most everyone I talked with had never heard of John Muir. One family had music playing all the time which, if I am not mistaken, is against the rules. I even met people on the trail blaring music from their phones way up on ridgelines where it is supposed to be quiet. There should be an outreach program to give presentations at different campgrounds about the purpose of the National Park system. I, for one, would love to help with that.
David B
VerifiedJuly 4, 2022 • Stayed at: 27, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
I love this campground. The key features are that the weather is cool even in July and it is the quietest place I know. If there is no wind, the nights are completely silent. That's the way it used to be, anyway. The attraction to Balsam Mountain Campground now is that it has excellent cel service for many and a good view of the sky for satellite tv. Campers were running generators all day to charge their phones and tablets. I heard news blaring from campers. SMS notifications from neighboring tents late into the night. There are rules about this in the National Park but, sadly, most everyone I talked with had never heard of John Muir. One family had music playing all the time which, if I am not mistaken, is against the rules. I even met people on the trail blaring music from their phones way up on ridgelines where it is supposed to be quiet. There should be an outreach program to give presentations at different campgrounds about the purpose of the National Park system. I, for one, would love to help with that.
Deborah W
VerifiedJune 29, 2022 • Stayed at: 32, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
My husband and I decided we wanted to camp somewhere cool and made a reservation a few hours before we arrived. We arrived and checked in with the host, who was very nice! The campground is awesome, and the temperature was cool. It was very quiet. The restrooms were pristine! I highly recommend this campground if you are looking for cooler temperatures and a quiet place to camp!
Deborah W
VerifiedJune 29, 2022 • Stayed at: 32, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
My husband and I decided we wanted to camp somewhere cool and made a reservation a few hours before we arrived. We arrived and checked in with the host, who was very nice! The campground is awesome, and the temperature was cool. It was very quiet. The restrooms were pristine! I highly recommend this campground if you are looking for cooler temperatures and a quiet place to camp!
Mark P
VerifiedJune 25, 2022 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Most campsites are very close to each other. There was no host or other control of the site. Younger campers rolled in late, made camp next to us, built a fire that blew smoke into our tent and stayed up talking til midnight and beyond. Other than that but of bad luck it is a nice place, well maintained and clean. Very subject to the elements though as it on top of a tall mountain.
Mark P
VerifiedJune 25, 2022 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Most campsites are very close to each other. There was no host or other control of the site. Younger campers rolled in late, made camp next to us, built a fire that blew smoke into our tent and stayed up talking til midnight and beyond. Other than that but of bad luck it is a nice place, well maintained and clean. Very subject to the elements though as it on top of a tall mountain.
George P
VerifiedJune 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Great campground at elevation. No amenities except for toilets, but amazing trails and quiet.
Leigh W
VerifiedJune 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 39, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
My stay at Balsam Mt. campground very enjoyable. I would have liked to have a camp host. Everything was well maintained. My wife and I look forward to a return visit. Thank you so much Leigh Whitmer
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
Need help?
Our team is here to help you find the perfect spot for your next adventure.
Replies within minutes
Explore Cherokee, NC
Population: 2,059
Nearby city: Asheville, NC
Approx. 35 mi away (straight-line distance)
Elevation: 1,972 ft
From our Travel Guides
