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
42 Sites Available
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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
Timothy M
VerifiedSeptember 14, 2020 • Stayed at: 32, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Some sites are not ground level and require step up/down hill walking back and forth to the car so if you Are older or have mobility issues, pick site wisely. We stayed in 32 and with the exception of the tent pad the whole site was site was on a hill. Nothing was level. The fire pit was in the worst possible spot it could be. you could not even sit around it on level ground. They do have some nice sites but i would check them out in person before booking. And the hosts were terrific. It was very packed and load but it was Labor Day weekend.
Timothy M
VerifiedSeptember 14, 2020 • Stayed at: 32, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Some sites are not ground level and require step up/down hill walking back and forth to the car so if you Are older or have mobility issues, pick site wisely. We stayed in 32 and with the exception of the tent pad the whole site was site was on a hill. Nothing was level. The fire pit was in the worst possible spot it could be. you could not even sit around it on level ground. They do have some nice sites but i would check them out in person before booking. And the hosts were terrific. It was very packed and load but it was Labor Day weekend.
Willie H
VerifiedFebruary 7, 2020 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
It is a great out of the way camp ground. Love the elk alone the roads and the mountain views are wonderful.
Willie H
VerifiedFebruary 7, 2020 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
It is a great out of the way camp ground. Love the elk alone the roads and the mountain views are wonderful.
Laura S
VerifiedJanuary 25, 2020 • Stayed at: 43, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
This was our second time returning to this campground, and we had a great experience. The whole campground is impeccably clean, including the bathrooms, and I love how secluded it is with very little light pollution. I look forward to returning again someday.
Laura S
VerifiedJanuary 25, 2020 • Stayed at: 43, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
This was our second time returning to this campground, and we had a great experience. The whole campground is impeccably clean, including the bathrooms, and I love how secluded it is with very little light pollution. I look forward to returning again someday.
Jason R
VerifiedJanuary 20, 2020 • Stayed at: 06, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Wonderful location. Wide open views of the Milky Way above. Clean camp sites, and excellent restrooms/showers. Just back down the main road in are some excellent overlooks to catch sunrise and sunset. Passed several Elk, very near camp. Lots of great hiking. If you have a long morning for your drive out the Heintooga Round Bottom Road is a nice drive, which leads to a nice river side drive on the forest floor. The family and I loved this place.
Mark C
VerifiedJanuary 20, 2020 • Stayed at: 18, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Elevation of this campsite makes it a great escape from summer heat. Nice one way gravel road leaves the campsite for a beautiful ride through the park. Highly recommend.
Jason R
VerifiedJanuary 20, 2020 • Stayed at: 06, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Wonderful location. Wide open views of the Milky Way above. Clean camp sites, and excellent restrooms/showers. Just back down the main road in are some excellent overlooks to catch sunrise and sunset. Passed several Elk, very near camp. Lots of great hiking. If you have a long morning for your drive out the Heintooga Round Bottom Road is a nice drive, which leads to a nice river side drive on the forest floor. The family and I loved this place.
Mark C
VerifiedJanuary 20, 2020 • Stayed at: 18, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Elevation of this campsite makes it a great escape from summer heat. Nice one way gravel road leaves the campsite for a beautiful ride through the park. Highly recommend.
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
