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
Tom P
VerifiedAugust 31, 2021 • Stayed at: 27, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
tent only sites in great shape and the restrooms were clean
Tom P
VerifiedAugust 31, 2021 • Stayed at: 27, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
tent only sites in great shape and the restrooms were clean
Milton B
VerifiedAugust 27, 2021 • Stayed at: 03, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Clean campground. Clean bathrooms. Pleasant and helpful campground hosts. Could not ask for more except for less rain, but then the remnants of tropical storm Fred did pass through while we were there and we were aware of it. Even the campground host made sure we knew about it. Not much “you” could do about that. Apparently there were some trees down across the roads leading into the campground after the storm passed through and our understanding is that they were cleared within one day. Strong work!
Milton B
VerifiedAugust 27, 2021 • Stayed at: 03, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Clean campground. Clean bathrooms. Pleasant and helpful campground hosts. Could not ask for more except for less rain, but then the remnants of tropical storm Fred did pass through while we were there and we were aware of it. Even the campground host made sure we knew about it. Not much “you” could do about that. Apparently there were some trees down across the roads leading into the campground after the storm passed through and our understanding is that they were cleared within one day. Strong work!
Dylan T
VerifiedAugust 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 26, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Our stay was very peaceful and relaxing. Everyone was very nice and accommodating. Be aware that this is a very quiet campground which can be a positive or negative but personally we enjoyed the silence. Would definitely stay here again and recommend it to just about anyone looking for a nice getaway!
Stuart E
VerifiedAugust 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 42, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Camp Hosts are top notch. This is my second experience with having good support by the hosts. The experience at Balsam was "bad" due to the tropical storm that blew through, and NOT, the fault of the Park service. The Host and local Ranger informed me of the impending conditions so I elected to leave after one night. WISE move since there was significant damage in the mountains. Advice given was science based weather reports and up front on time. THANK YOU
I'll go back another time.
Dylan T
VerifiedAugust 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 26, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Our stay was very peaceful and relaxing. Everyone was very nice and accommodating. Be aware that this is a very quiet campground which can be a positive or negative but personally we enjoyed the silence. Would definitely stay here again and recommend it to just about anyone looking for a nice getaway!
Stuart E
VerifiedAugust 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 42, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Camp Hosts are top notch. This is my second experience with having good support by the hosts. The experience at Balsam was "bad" due to the tropical storm that blew through, and NOT, the fault of the Park service. The Host and local Ranger informed me of the impending conditions so I elected to leave after one night. WISE move since there was significant damage in the mountains. Advice given was science based weather reports and up front on time. THANK YOU
I'll go back another time.
Maldi S
VerifiedAugust 24, 2021 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
I misread my booking and stayed at the wrong campsite for two days! We were always out and about from very early in the morning and didn’t come back until very late, so the ranger never got to meet us. He left a message but it got soaked under the rain. Long story short, he called the cops on us. Luckily, he managed to catch us before the cops arrived, we explained everything to him and he cancelled the cops. The camp was BEAUTIFUL! Although places are very tight, there is something magical about waking up in the middle of the clouds. Will definitely go back again. And THANK GOODNESS for sweet and kind rangers! 🧡
Maldi S
VerifiedAugust 24, 2021 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
I misread my booking and stayed at the wrong campsite for two days! We were always out and about from very early in the morning and didn’t come back until very late, so the ranger never got to meet us. He left a message but it got soaked under the rain. Long story short, he called the cops on us. Luckily, he managed to catch us before the cops arrived, we explained everything to him and he cancelled the cops. The camp was BEAUTIFUL! Although places are very tight, there is something magical about waking up in the middle of the clouds. Will definitely go back again. And THANK GOODNESS for sweet and kind rangers! 🧡
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 16, 2026
