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
No sites found matching your criteria.
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.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
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
Dylan T
VerifiedAugust 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 26, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Our stay was very peaceful and relaxing. Everyone was very nice and accommodating. Be aware that this is a very quiet campground which can be a positive or negative but personally we enjoyed the silence. Would definitely stay here again and recommend it to just about anyone looking for a nice getaway!
Stuart E
VerifiedAugust 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 42, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Camp Hosts are top notch. This is my second experience with having good support by the hosts. The experience at Balsam was "bad" due to the tropical storm that blew through, and NOT, the fault of the Park service. The Host and local Ranger informed me of the impending conditions so I elected to leave after one night. WISE move since there was significant damage in the mountains. Advice given was science based weather reports and up front on time. THANK YOU
I'll go back another time.
Dylan T
VerifiedAugust 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 26, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Our stay was very peaceful and relaxing. Everyone was very nice and accommodating. Be aware that this is a very quiet campground which can be a positive or negative but personally we enjoyed the silence. Would definitely stay here again and recommend it to just about anyone looking for a nice getaway!
Maldi S
VerifiedAugust 24, 2021 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
I misread my booking and stayed at the wrong campsite for two days! We were always out and about from very early in the morning and didn’t come back until very late, so the ranger never got to meet us. He left a message but it got soaked under the rain. Long story short, he called the cops on us. Luckily, he managed to catch us before the cops arrived, we explained everything to him and he cancelled the cops. The camp was BEAUTIFUL! Although places are very tight, there is something magical about waking up in the middle of the clouds. Will definitely go back again. And THANK GOODNESS for sweet and kind rangers! 🧡
Maldi S
VerifiedAugust 24, 2021 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
I misread my booking and stayed at the wrong campsite for two days! We were always out and about from very early in the morning and didn’t come back until very late, so the ranger never got to meet us. He left a message but it got soaked under the rain. Long story short, he called the cops on us. Luckily, he managed to catch us before the cops arrived, we explained everything to him and he cancelled the cops. The camp was BEAUTIFUL! Although places are very tight, there is something magical about waking up in the middle of the clouds. Will definitely go back again. And THANK GOODNESS for sweet and kind rangers! 🧡
Debra B
VerifiedAugust 22, 2021 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
This is mostly a campground for tents and hammocks. We love the campground and go every chance we get. However some of the sites are close to each other. The reserved site next to us came in at 3 in the morning and had to open the box their tent came in. If you’re a first time camper practice setting up your tent and at least get to your site before dark. We have woken up in our tent at campgrounds and have seen campers that came in over night and we never heard or saw them.
Debra B
VerifiedAugust 22, 2021 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
This is mostly a campground for tents and hammocks. We love the campground and go every chance we get. However some of the sites are close to each other. The reserved site next to us came in at 3 in the morning and had to open the box their tent came in. If you’re a first time camper practice setting up your tent and at least get to your site before dark. We have woken up in our tent at campgrounds and have seen campers that came in over night and we never heard or saw them.
JAMES H
VerifiedAugust 21, 2021 • Stayed at: 08, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
The campground was very clean and the bathrooms were very clean. The camp host were very nice and knowledgeable about the area
Jan B
VerifiedAugust 21, 2021 • Stayed at: 38, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
The campground was well maintained. George the maintenance guy was very personal and pleasant and kept things in good order. The campground hosts, Ron and Michelle, were nice and always available. It would be nice to have firewood for sale at this campground.
JAMES H
VerifiedAugust 21, 2021 • Stayed at: 08, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
The campground was very clean and the bathrooms were very clean. The camp host were very nice and knowledgeable about 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
Need help?
Our team is here to help you find the perfect spot for your next adventure.
Replies within minutes
Explore Cherokee, NC
Population: 2,059
Nearby city: Asheville, NC
Approx. 35 mi away (straight-line distance)
Elevation: 1,972 ft
From our Travel Guides
