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
maree m
VerifiedJuly 23, 2026 • Stayed at: 33, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Site 33. Quiet hours were not enforced.
Nathaniel N
VerifiedJuly 22, 2026 • Stayed at: 22, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Despite the rain - we saw the forecast and knew it was coming - this is still the most beautiful front country campground in the park, and probably the most comfortable. Love the views and love the hikes
maree m
VerifiedJuly 22, 2026 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Site 17. Site floods. Quiet hours were not enforced. How do we get a partial refund?
Galen T
VerifiedJuly 19, 2026 • Stayed at: 22, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Beautiful
Jeffery F
VerifiedJuly 19, 2026 • Stayed at: 30, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
For the most part everything was great as usual. Should have a quiet hours (generator use) sign posted (as has been in the past). Either at the campground entrance or at the host check in-site or both. Need to enforce the generator usage times. Campground host could respond to people checking in. Knocked on his door, his dog barked but he kept talking on phone. Kids running around screaming at 6:45 am was tough to accept.
Betsy L
VerifiedJuly 16, 2026 • Stayed at: 23, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
We always love our stays at Balsam, but for the second year in a row, we had a neighbor that consistently ran their generator outside of generator hours. Since we tent camp and typically go to sleep around 9, it is difficult to go to sleep with a gas generator running 20 ft away. We hate to confront a neighbor because we have met with vindictive neighbors in the past and wish that the campground host would tour the campground and enforce these rules.
Kyle B
VerifiedJuly 13, 2026 • Stayed at: 43, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Well managed site, beautiful location!
Jaideep D
VerifiedJuly 13, 2026 • Stayed at: 42, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Campground and rest rooms were immaculately clean. Camp host was both friendly and also a good enforcer of rules (not to leave out food for the bears, did the rounds of the campground frequently).
Location was amazing. Will definitely visit again.
Daniel P
VerifiedJuly 12, 2026 • Stayed at: 24, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Small campground, high in the mountains. It was as expected. The sites are a little close together, but ok. We had a good experience.
Melody W
VerifiedJuly 11, 2026 • Stayed at: 40, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Beautiful Campsite! Cool weather during summer, would ABSOLUTELY stay here again! Even saw a few big bull elk in the area!
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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