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
Robert G
VerifiedJanuary 17, 2020 • Stayed at: 23, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Balsam is a small, quiet, out-of-the way camp ground that we always enjoy. There are no showers but we know that going in and love it anyway.
Gerald W
VerifiedJanuary 17, 2020 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Everything was great.
Campground was nice.
Away from everything but not too far away.
The only thing I recommend is maybe having a cb or two way radio.
One night we had some knuckleheads camping a ways down from us. We were the only people there and then these people were super loud. Drunk. Rowdy all night. At about 430 am I finally tried to male contact with the park. No cell service. The only way I found was enough to Facebook message somehow to a page. I asked for them to call out a ranger.
The Reply was 2 days later. Lol.
I though about whipping some ass Texas style but surely is would make me the bad guy somehow.
Other than that one night it was awesome.
I dont mind peoe having fun but drunk loud 5am is ridiculous.
Brad U
VerifiedJanuary 17, 2020 • Stayed at: 42, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Beautiful area, everything was clean and perfect for tent camping!!
Michael K
VerifiedJanuary 17, 2020 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Beautiful part of the Smokies. Recommend going to "sunset point" which is ~100 yards down the Flat Creek trail from the turnaround at the nearby end of the paved road.
Elizabeth W
VerifiedJanuary 17, 2020 • Stayed at: 25, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
We love this campground. It is in a higher elevation so it is the perfect spot to go to in the heat of the summer!! It was in the 90s at home but we enjoyed perfect 70s during the day and cool 50s overnight. It was wonderful. Being a smaller campground, we enjoyed not having as many campers surrounding us. It was nearly fully booked and we still felt we had some privacy and was never bothered by noise or felt like we had people right on top of us. In short, this is our favorite camping spot and we will be back again and again!!
Doug P
VerifiedJanuary 17, 2020 • Stayed at: 04, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Gorgeous campground, great views. Was busy so I had to reserve two different sites in balsam on consecutive nights but someone stole my campsite the second night. I ended up waiting until the night time and taking an empty site and the ranger took no issue with it. Definitely would camp here again.
Andy B
VerifiedJanuary 17, 2020 • Stayed at: 27, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Very nice, clean and picturesque campground. First time visiting and it was great. We are tent campers and the sites were well maintained. A little close to your neighbors but not too bad. Bathroom facilities were very nice. Campground is within easy driving distance for hiking and other outdoor activities. We loved our stay and are looking forward to returning very soon!
Robert G
VerifiedJanuary 17, 2020 • Stayed at: 23, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Balsam is a small, quiet, out-of-the way camp ground that we always enjoy. There are no showers but we know that going in and love it anyway.
Gerald W
VerifiedJanuary 17, 2020 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Everything was great.
Campground was nice.
Away from everything but not too far away.
The only thing I recommend is maybe having a cb or two way radio.
One night we had some knuckleheads camping a ways down from us. We were the only people there and then these people were super loud. Drunk. Rowdy all night. At about 430 am I finally tried to male contact with the park. No cell service. The only way I found was enough to Facebook message somehow to a page. I asked for them to call out a ranger.
The Reply was 2 days later. Lol.
I though about whipping some ass Texas style but surely is would make me the bad guy somehow.
Other than that one night it was awesome.
I dont mind peoe having fun but drunk loud 5am is ridiculous.
Brad U
VerifiedJanuary 17, 2020 • Stayed at: 42, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Beautiful area, everything was clean and perfect for tent camping!!
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
