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
Sara B
VerifiedOctober 3, 2023 • Stayed at: 04, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Staying in Balsam Mountain Campground may be one of the best ways to experience Smoky Mountain NP. The campground and the sites are small, but you're tucked up and away from the crowds. Be sure to hike up to the picnic area (about a half-mile from the campground) and plan time to take the gravel road down toward Cherokee, which takes time but is a great way to get into the mountains. Would definitely recommend this over other campgrounds in the park and we plan to be back.
Matthew A
VerifiedOctober 10, 2023 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Great location! We had a pleasant stay and our volunteer host was very helpful.
We hope to visit again!
Matthew A
VerifiedOctober 10, 2023 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Great location! We had a pleasant stay and our volunteer host was very helpful.
We hope to visit again!
JJ A
VerifiedOctober 13, 2023 • Stayed at: 42, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Nice campground, out of the way and over a mile high elevation. No showers, but very clean restrooms.
JJ A
VerifiedOctober 13, 2023 • Stayed at: 42, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Nice campground, out of the way and over a mile high elevation. No showers, but very clean restrooms.
Marjorie S
VerifiedJune 2, 2024 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
The sites are on top of each other. Site 34 was extremely muddy and slippery and very slanted. We practically had neighbors on both sides and zero privacy.
Marjorie S
VerifiedJune 2, 2024 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
The sites are on top of each other. Site 34 was extremely muddy and slippery and very slanted. We practically had neighbors on both sides and zero privacy.
Anne L
VerifiedJune 6, 2024 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Very clean! Best spots are those on the outside of the ring. On the inside of the ring the campsites are close. The only situation we encountered was one man with a camper RV ran his generator all night on a cold night. I know he thought it might have been quiet, but when you are in nature an electric noise is loud. He left the next morning otherwise I would have said something. All in all it was a beautiful place.
Anne L
VerifiedJune 6, 2024 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Very clean! Best spots are those on the outside of the ring. On the inside of the ring the campsites are close. The only situation we encountered was one man with a camper RV ran his generator all night on a cold night. I know he thought it might have been quiet, but when you are in nature an electric noise is loud. He left the next morning otherwise I would have said something. All in all it was a beautiful place.
James S
VerifiedJuly 5, 2024 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
The camp host was good, restrooms were clean. The bugs were bad but that's no fault of the park system.
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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