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
Doug N
VerifiedJune 14, 2022 • Stayed at: 26, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Remote and out of the way. Some of the tent only sites are very close to others. It would be ideal for a group of people that know each other or rent two sites to give yourself more space and buffer from others.
Thomas E
VerifiedJune 14, 2022 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Clean and great weather. Lows in the upper forties, great for camping out in
Kayla E
VerifiedJune 13, 2022 • Stayed at: 38, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Great facilities and the most beautiful camping spot. Tent pad, table, bathrooms, and roads in fantastic condition. I love that this campground is so much more isolated than others in the Smokies and there were no RVers. My only complaint is that my neighbors consistently violated quiet hours. This is not the campground’s fault. However, there was no campground host on site to hold them accountable. I do wish that there was a host onsite to help patrol unwieldy campers.
Kelly M
VerifiedJune 13, 2022 • Stayed at: 40, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Very small site, but quiet campground and clean bathrooms. Nice bench for viewing sunset at the end of the road down the Flat Creek Trailhead just a little bit. Beautiful one-way gravel road there as well to get back down to Cherokee.
Kayla E
VerifiedJune 13, 2022 • Stayed at: 38, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Great facilities and the most beautiful camping spot. Tent pad, table, bathrooms, and roads in fantastic condition. I love that this campground is so much more isolated than others in the Smokies and there were no RVers. My only complaint is that my neighbors consistently violated quiet hours. This is not the campground’s fault. However, there was no campground host on site to hold them accountable. I do wish that there was a host onsite to help patrol unwieldy campers.
Kelly M
VerifiedJune 13, 2022 • Stayed at: 40, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Very small site, but quiet campground and clean bathrooms. Nice bench for viewing sunset at the end of the road down the Flat Creek Trailhead just a little bit. Beautiful one-way gravel road there as well to get back down to Cherokee.
Cheryl B
VerifiedJune 9, 2022 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Extremely quiet campground at 5,300 ft.
Some of the sites are fairly well spaced, but most of the sites at the back end of the campground are very close together. All trailer, van, popup and RV campers must camp on the campground road (tent campers have tent pads off the road). There is no electricity (not even in the restroom building so make sure you have a flashlight). Bathroom buildings have flush toilets and there is a dishwashing station.
If you like to hike, there are numerous hikes within a few minutes of the campground.
Cheryl B
VerifiedJune 9, 2022 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Extremely quiet campground at 5,300 ft.
Some of the sites are fairly well spaced, but most of the sites at the back end of the campground are very close together. All trailer, van, popup and RV campers must camp on the campground road (tent campers have tent pads off the road). There is no electricity (not even in the restroom building so make sure you have a flashlight). Bathroom buildings have flush toilets and there is a dishwashing station.
If you like to hike, there are numerous hikes within a few minutes of the campground.
Mary Sue K
VerifiedMay 30, 2022 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
The campground is well kept by staff and campers. Bathrooms were clean, just need a light for nighttime use.
I have already booked 3 more trips to Balsam Mtn campground.
Mary Sue K
VerifiedMay 30, 2022 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
The campground is well kept by staff and campers. Bathrooms were clean, just need a light for nighttime use.
I have already booked 3 more trips to Balsam Mtn campground.
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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