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
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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
Baldemar S
VerifiedSeptember 20, 2020 • Stayed at: 33, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Remote, wet, and cringy. Beautiful views, amazing cooler altitudes. The drive was 35 miles at 35 miles an hour, lots of beautiful lookuouts. During my time it rained 2 out 3 days, kinda ruining our hiking plans. But the feelings of being inside a cloud were awesome. The campsites were sometimes very close together, so be careful when making your selection, however many campers, were campervan types and didn’t actually occupy their campsite.
Baldemar S
VerifiedSeptember 20, 2020 • Stayed at: 33, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Remote, wet, and cringy. Beautiful views, amazing cooler altitudes. The drive was 35 miles at 35 miles an hour, lots of beautiful lookuouts. During my time it rained 2 out 3 days, kinda ruining our hiking plans. But the feelings of being inside a cloud were awesome. The campsites were sometimes very close together, so be careful when making your selection, however many campers, were campervan types and didn’t actually occupy their campsite.
Eric M
VerifiedSeptember 19, 2020 • Stayed at: 43, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Great camping for those of us who like to feel remote. Small campground but surprisingly private for the tight quarters on the road for those of us in rvs. Pay attention to the lengths for each site. Don't plan on being longer. Hosts were nice as usual in NPS campgrounds. Saw elk on the drive in. Bears had been reported according to the camp hosts. Make sure to walk up to the picnic area just to see the tables made by the CCC workers and imagine what the area look liked so many years ago. Likely a 360 degree view then but now in tree cover. Love the altitude of the campground. will be back for respite during the hot summers of SC .
Eric M
VerifiedSeptember 19, 2020 • Stayed at: 43, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Great camping for those of us who like to feel remote. Small campground but surprisingly private for the tight quarters on the road for those of us in rvs. Pay attention to the lengths for each site. Don't plan on being longer. Hosts were nice as usual in NPS campgrounds. Saw elk on the drive in. Bears had been reported according to the camp hosts. Make sure to walk up to the picnic area just to see the tables made by the CCC workers and imagine what the area look liked so many years ago. Likely a 360 degree view then but now in tree cover. Love the altitude of the campground. will be back for respite during the hot summers of SC .
Daniel D
VerifiedSeptember 17, 2020 • Stayed at: 37, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Sweet spot. Great stars. Extremely quiet. Campers respect quiet hours. Weather can be a little unpredictable, with scattered showers. Restrooms are very clean and very pleasant to use, with great daylight. Not your typical dark and dingy restroom facility. Only downside is that there are not as many trails to hike nearby. Love this place.
Daniel D
VerifiedSeptember 17, 2020 • Stayed at: 37, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Sweet spot. Great stars. Extremely quiet. Campers respect quiet hours. Weather can be a little unpredictable, with scattered showers. Restrooms are very clean and very pleasant to use, with great daylight. Not your typical dark and dingy restroom facility. Only downside is that there are not as many trails to hike nearby. Love this place.
Sukesh S
VerifiedSeptember 16, 2020 • Stayed at: 20, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Amazing Place for camping. Please know that the camping spots are too close to each other, dont expect that wide area for yourself like other places. We stayed for just one day and it was amazing..Would really looking forward to it....
Sukesh S
VerifiedSeptember 16, 2020 • Stayed at: 20, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Amazing Place for camping. Please know that the camping spots are too close to each other, dont expect that wide area for yourself like other places. We stayed for just one day and it was amazing..Would really looking forward to it....
Clint J
VerifiedSeptember 15, 2020 • Stayed at: 43, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Beautiful scenic views and nice trails in the area. Showers would have been nice, but not a deal breaker.
Clint J
VerifiedSeptember 15, 2020 • Stayed at: 43, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Beautiful scenic views and nice trails in the area. Showers would have been nice, but not a deal breaker.
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 4, 2026
