Available sites
42 total sites
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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
Stuart C
VerifiedOctober 3, 2021 • Stayed at: 29, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Beth G
VerifiedOctober 3, 2021 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Small but well-maintained campsites with plenty of understory growth to provide some privacy. A great place to camp to get away from crowds and commercial activities. A beautiful part of the park.
Stuart C
VerifiedOctober 3, 2021 • Stayed at: 29, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Matt S
VerifiedSeptember 30, 2021 • Stayed at: 36, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
very clean, nice campground host, great experience
Jennifer C
VerifiedSeptember 30, 2021 • Stayed at: 22, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Probably one of the best campgrounds we've been to in the smoky's! The campsites are a little small, but the views coming up to the campground are worth it for sure! We went in late September and it was really cold at night, getting down to the high 30's, and we loved the change of temperature from the hot summer camping we've been doing. We had pretty good cell phone reception with AT&T and T-Mobile, which was a nice surprise! We also saw deer and elk both days we were there!
The camp hosts were super friendly and the campground was very clean!
The most important thing to me about this campground though, was that the bathrooms were the cleanest bathrooms I've probably ever been in! We were actually shocked at how clean they were.
We will definitely be coming back for our next trip to Maggie Valley!
michael c
VerifiedSeptember 30, 2021 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Beautiful campground, wonderful campground host. Nice and cool weather.
Matt S
VerifiedSeptember 30, 2021 • Stayed at: 36, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
very clean, nice campground host, great experience
Jennifer C
VerifiedSeptember 30, 2021 • Stayed at: 22, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Probably one of the best campgrounds we've been to in the smoky's! The campsites are a little small, but the views coming up to the campground are worth it for sure! We went in late September and it was really cold at night, getting down to the high 30's, and we loved the change of temperature from the hot summer camping we've been doing. We had pretty good cell phone reception with AT&T and T-Mobile, which was a nice surprise! We also saw deer and elk both days we were there!
The camp hosts were super friendly and the campground was very clean!
The most important thing to me about this campground though, was that the bathrooms were the cleanest bathrooms I've probably ever been in! We were actually shocked at how clean they were.
We will definitely be coming back for our next trip to Maggie Valley!
michael c
VerifiedSeptember 30, 2021 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Beautiful campground, wonderful campground host. Nice and cool weather.
John C
VerifiedSeptember 22, 2021 • Stayed at: 23, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
I love this little campground. It is off the beaten trail enough to not be too overrun with crowds, but still easy front country camping. Balsam is my favorite campground in the Smokies.
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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