Available sites
42 total sites
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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
Jay S
VerifiedAugust 15, 2025 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
This is a very nice campground with basic amenities. The campsites are spaced apart to allow some privacy. Most campsites are up or down a hill to get to your vehicle. The bathrooms are cleaned frequently. There are no lights in the bathrooms so a flashlight is needed after dark.
Gary W
VerifiedAugust 16, 2025 • Stayed at: 02, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Balsam Mountain campground is a great place to come to get away from the summer heat. It has well kept campsites and friendly hosts.
Gary W
VerifiedAugust 16, 2025 • Stayed at: 02, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Balsam Mountain campground is a great place to come to get away from the summer heat. It has well kept campsites and friendly hosts.
Nolan B
VerifiedAugust 18, 2025 • Stayed at: 32, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Bathrooms were clean. Camp host were very nice. Park patrols came through regularly and were always nice. We come up every year to this campground for the last 10 years. Best one in the smokies!!
Nolan B
VerifiedAugust 18, 2025 • Stayed at: 32, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Bathrooms were clean. Camp host were very nice. Park patrols came through regularly and were always nice. We come up every year to this campground for the last 10 years. Best one in the smokies!!
Tim T
VerifiedAugust 21, 2025 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
I love the camp ground we make an annual trip the 2nd week of August every year.
David K
VerifiedAugust 21, 2025 • Stayed at: 38, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Great campground and nice cool weather for summer! Always a favorite of ours.
Tim T
VerifiedAugust 21, 2025 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
I love the camp ground we make an annual trip the 2nd week of August every year.
David K
VerifiedAugust 21, 2025 • Stayed at: 38, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Great campground and nice cool weather for summer! Always a favorite of ours.
Michael L
VerifiedAugust 23, 2025 • Stayed at: 25, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Excellent campground, provided great cool weather in the summer. Camp hosts were very welcoming and accommodating. The facilities were also regularly cleaned by staff which was great to see.
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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