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
Marita v
VerifiedJuly 20, 2021 • Stayed at: 03, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
The most beautiful place to camp. The drive up to the campground from the Parkway is just stunning. Excellent hiking trails, place to ride a bicycle and motorcycle.
Camp host Danny is the best! Very clean bathrooms (no showers). It is so quiet at night and no light pollution.
If you love nature, this is the place to go.
James N
VerifiedJuly 18, 2021 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
No site map exists to allow a camper to know the campsite ahead of arrival. Some sites are nice but some are cramped. Mine was in the vicinity of three other tents all very close, and it was not pleasant.
Christophe P
VerifiedJuly 18, 2021 • Stayed at: 36, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Excellent campground. Incredible location. Clean facilities. Wish they had showers though.
Sites are well spaced. Not very large but with lots of vegetation in between sites providing good privacy.
Also it would be great if they had firewood available to purchase. With the capacity at maximum through the season, it's really hard to find firewood in the surroundings.
James N
VerifiedJuly 18, 2021 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
No site map exists to allow a camper to know the campsite ahead of arrival. Some sites are nice but some are cramped. Mine was in the vicinity of three other tents all very close, and it was not pleasant.
Christophe P
VerifiedJuly 18, 2021 • Stayed at: 36, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Excellent campground. Incredible location. Clean facilities. Wish they had showers though.
Sites are well spaced. Not very large but with lots of vegetation in between sites providing good privacy.
Also it would be great if they had firewood available to purchase. With the capacity at maximum through the season, it's really hard to find firewood in the surroundings.
Diane B
VerifiedJuly 16, 2021 • Stayed at: 05, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
This campground has typically been primitive. Tenters have always made up the vast majority of sites. NO more, it looked more like KOA. The loop road was congested by RVs and popups. Having camped here over a 20 year period this was the worst. Don't plan on returning.
Diane B
VerifiedJuly 16, 2021 • Stayed at: 05, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
This campground has typically been primitive. Tenters have always made up the vast majority of sites. NO more, it looked more like KOA. The loop road was congested by RVs and popups. Having camped here over a 20 year period this was the worst. Don't plan on returning.
Jason S
VerifiedJuly 15, 2021 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Excellent campground and camp host. Quiet and away from the busyness of other more trafficked campgrounds. I will definitely be back.
Jason S
VerifiedJuly 15, 2021 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Excellent campground and camp host. Quiet and away from the busyness of other more trafficked campgrounds. I will definitely be back.
philip k
VerifiedJuly 12, 2021 • Stayed at: 25, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
It would have been excellent if the camp host would have done something about the screaming kids running around the camps. He should have called the park ranger if he couldnt control them.
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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