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
andrew c
VerifiedJune 9, 2021 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Loved this campground! Quiet and out of the way, made for a very peaceful camping experience. The camp host was friendly and helpful, and the bathrooms were excellent too! You can't say that about every campground...
andrew c
VerifiedJune 9, 2021 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Loved this campground! Quiet and out of the way, made for a very peaceful camping experience. The camp host was friendly and helpful, and the bathrooms were excellent too! You can't say that about every campground...
Randall M
VerifiedJune 8, 2021 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Quite, clean campground
Randall M
VerifiedJune 8, 2021 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Quite, clean campground
Melissa W
VerifiedJune 6, 2021 • Stayed at: 37, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
I'm giving this campground 5 stars because you'll feel like you're in a part of the park that no one goes to. It's over an hour to get to the main part of the park, visitor centers, etc. There's still several hikes in the Balsam area so there's no need to drive to the main entrance if you don't want. However, if you do, the drive takes you along the Blue Ridge Parkway which has some amazing views. The campground is at about 5500 feet so expect fog, clouds, and rain (it rained every day on us even though it wasn't raining at lower elevations in the park). It's a pretty small campground and some of the sites are not great, some sit literally feet from the driveway. Surprisingly, they allow RV's at a decent number of sites which means that they're all parked in the driveway (I would hate to camp here with an RV and just park in a road). Several of the sites sit above or below the main road and offer more privacy and a more secluded feeling. Each site has a tent pad which is helpful since the campground is on top of a mountain and not level at all. All items need to be put away in your vehicle overnight since bear visits are possible. Campground host was very friendly and helpful. Bathrooms were in great condition and kept clean. If we were in a different campsite, I'd probably give the campground 4 stars but with a good site, this campground can be amazing.
Melissa W
VerifiedJune 6, 2021 • Stayed at: 37, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
I'm giving this campground 5 stars because you'll feel like you're in a part of the park that no one goes to. It's over an hour to get to the main part of the park, visitor centers, etc. There's still several hikes in the Balsam area so there's no need to drive to the main entrance if you don't want. However, if you do, the drive takes you along the Blue Ridge Parkway which has some amazing views. The campground is at about 5500 feet so expect fog, clouds, and rain (it rained every day on us even though it wasn't raining at lower elevations in the park). It's a pretty small campground and some of the sites are not great, some sit literally feet from the driveway. Surprisingly, they allow RV's at a decent number of sites which means that they're all parked in the driveway (I would hate to camp here with an RV and just park in a road). Several of the sites sit above or below the main road and offer more privacy and a more secluded feeling. Each site has a tent pad which is helpful since the campground is on top of a mountain and not level at all. All items need to be put away in your vehicle overnight since bear visits are possible. Campground host was very friendly and helpful. Bathrooms were in great condition and kept clean. If we were in a different campsite, I'd probably give the campground 4 stars but with a good site, this campground can be amazing.
frank m
VerifiedJune 3, 2021 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
I don't want others to go there. It's a special place that needs no promotion.
frank m
VerifiedJune 3, 2021 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
I don't want others to go there. It's a special place that needs no promotion.
Qingyang L
VerifiedMay 27, 2021 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
It is a well-managed but crowded campground. Temperature is very comfortable in summer time. Clean bathroom. Trials around this campground are not too easy and have moderate views.
Try other campgrounds if you can.
Qingyang L
VerifiedMay 27, 2021 • Stayed at: 30, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
It is a well-managed but crowded campground. Temperature is very comfortable in summer time. Clean bathroom. Trials around this campground are not too easy and have moderate views.
Try other campgrounds if you can.
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 5, 2026
