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
Howard S
VerifiedAugust 21, 2024 • Stayed at: 43, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Always enjoyable here.
Nolan B
VerifiedAugust 21, 2024 • Stayed at: 26, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
I love coming up here every year. It’s the best campground in the Smokies!!!
Howard S
VerifiedAugust 21, 2024 • Stayed at: 43, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Always enjoyable here.
Betsy L
VerifiedAugust 22, 2024 • Stayed at: 23, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
This is usually such a quiet campground, one of the reasons we love to come here every year. But this year we were next to campers who ran a loud generator every moment they could while they were in the campsite and they stayed outside their camper talking very loudly to hear each other over the noise. It is allowed, so there was no reason I could complain, but it sure ruined the entire stay. They also violated several other campground rules (they had two trucks and a camper, left food out all day while they were gone). There was not a regular campground host there, and the fill in host did not seem to be around much of the time we were there. Other than that, it was a perfect stay
Betsy L
VerifiedAugust 22, 2024 • Stayed at: 23, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
This is usually such a quiet campground, one of the reasons we love to come here every year. But this year we were next to campers who ran a loud generator every moment they could while they were in the campsite and they stayed outside their camper talking very loudly to hear each other over the noise. It is allowed, so there was no reason I could complain, but it sure ruined the entire stay. They also violated several other campground rules (they had two trucks and a camper, left food out all day while they were gone). There was not a regular campground host there, and the fill in host did not seem to be around much of the time we were there. Other than that, it was a perfect stay
Cathy W
VerifiedAugust 28, 2024 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
A lovely, quiet campground near the Mountain to Sea Trail which we have been hiking.
Cathy W
VerifiedAugust 28, 2024 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
A lovely, quiet campground near the Mountain to Sea Trail which we have been hiking.
Dan B
VerifiedAugust 30, 2024 • Stayed at: 02, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
I dont want to admit it because the less people that know about how beautiful this place is the better, I love it here
Dan B
VerifiedAugust 30, 2024 • Stayed at: 02, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
I dont want to admit it because the less people that know about how beautiful this place is the better, I love it here
Jerry E
VerifiedSeptember 1, 2024 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
This is a beautiful and enjoyable campground. The only issue is that the sites are super close. If you are looking for privacy, this is not your spot.
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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