BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Trail sign
BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Entrance
BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Walk in Sites

Featured amenities

Parking Parking
Restrooms Restrooms
Fire Pit Fire Pit

Available sites

42 total sites

About Balsam Mountain Campground

Balsam Mountain Campground is located in a relatively remote part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The secluded setting offers visitors the ability to enjoy a multitude of recreational activities without the crowds which are sometimes common in other parts of the park.

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking Parking
Restrooms Restrooms
Fire Pit Fire Pit
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
  • Restrooms
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Fire Pit
  • Campfire Ring
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

42 Sites Available

Site
Price
⛺ 01, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 02, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 03, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 04, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
⛺ 05, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 06, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 07, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 08, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
⛺ 09, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 10, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 11, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 12, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 13, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 14, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 15, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 16, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 17, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
⛺ 18, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 19, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 20, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 21, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 22, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 23, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ 24, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 25, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 26, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 27, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 28, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 29, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 30, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 31, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 32, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 33, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 34, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 35, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 36, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 37, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 38, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 39, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 40, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 42, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 43, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel

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.

Review Summary

4.5
755 reviews
5
66.2%
500
4
23.4%
177
3
4.6%
35
2
3.3%
25
1
2.4%
18

Robert B

Verified

July 10, 2026 • Stayed at: 35, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

5

Loved our site and able to get internet connection through our starlink mini.

Sarah F

Verified

July 8, 2026 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

5

Clean and well kept campground. Bathrooms were fantastic as far as camp bathrooms go. Camp host was also super helpful and friendly. Not at all overcrowded or rowdy group at this campsite so it was very peaceful!

Nicole V

Verified

July 5, 2026 • Stayed at: 25, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

3

I have enjoyed this campground in the past. It has always been quiet with respectful campers. This recent trip was terrible. The closest neighbors partied loudly past midnight. The next day the camp host embarrassed me by asking loudly with all of them standing there if I complained about noisy neighbors. He knew who they were. He didn't need confirmation. Then he tells them that I complained that they were being too loud, like right now. He didn't mention that they were being loud past quiet hours. I won't be going back there and I'll consider hipcamps instead of campgrounds going forward. That was too much time, effort and money to be ruined and handled so poorly. I don't want to be set up again to be at the mercy of random people who don't respect neighbors in a campground.

Christopher M

Verified

July 4, 2026 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

4

Nice campground, good facilities, sites are a bit closer together than I anticipated but it was not an issue. Lots of elk on the drive up and down the mountain, otherwise perhaps a little less remote, ie more road traffic, than I had anticipated. A great time and campground in the mountains. FYI buy your firewood at the base of the mountain, none available otherwise.

Mark F

Verified

July 3, 2026 • Stayed at: 39, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

5

I would like to see bike paths along all paved roads in National Parks and National Forest. After all it is a park. Hiking and driving are great!

Claire G

Verified

June 29, 2026 • Stayed at: 22, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

5

Beautiful and very peaceful. Great camp sites!

Tony S

Verified

June 27, 2026 • Stayed at: 29, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

3

Nice campground but no showers. Had to walk to our site but that was because campground was full. Need to make reservations ahead of time.

Gary C

Verified

June 26, 2026 • Stayed at: 23, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

5

Beautiful setting. Campground is quiet, peaceful, clean and beautiful. We saw elk grazing in the campground!

Bridgett W

Verified

June 25, 2026 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

5

Beautiful campground. Clean and friendly. The wildlife is amazing

Sidney N

Verified

June 22, 2026 • Stayed at: 38, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

5

This was my favorite camp ground that we stayed at during our time in the Smokies. The camphost was kind and informative even though we showed up on the later side. I think I saw more fireflies in one night at the meadow by the dishwashing station then I have collectively seen my whole life. Perfect temperatures even in the heat of the summer at those nice high elevations. A lovely hidden gem. Don't overlook it ;)

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...

Nearest town

Cherokee, NC - 22 mi

About 42 min to downtown

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

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

In Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Approximate driving time: 18 min

Yosemite National Park

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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