OutReserve

Balsam Mountain Campground

BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Trail sign
BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Entrance
BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Walk in Sites

Featured amenities

Parking
Restrooms
Fire Pit

About Balsam Mountain Campground

Balsam Mountain Campground is located in a relatively remote part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The secluded setting offers visitors the ability to enjoy a multitude of recreational activities without the crowds which are sometimes common in other parts of the park.

Number of accommodations: 42

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - May 15 to Oct 12

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking
Restrooms
Fire Pit
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
  • Restrooms
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Fire Pit
  • Campfire Ring
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

42 Sites Available

Site
Price
01, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 02, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 03, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 04, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
05, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 06, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 07, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 08, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
09, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
10, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 11, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 12, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 13, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 14, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 15, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 16, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 17, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
18, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
19, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
20, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
21, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
22, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 23, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
24, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
25, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
26, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
27, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
28, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
29, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
30, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
31, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 32, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 33, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 34, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 35, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 36, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 37, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 38, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 39, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 40, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 42, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 43, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available

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.

Review Summary

4.5
680 reviews
5
66.5%
452
4
23.8%
162
3
4.4%
30
2
3.5%
24
1
1.8%
12

Robert M

Verified

January 16, 2020 Stayed at: 36, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

3

Balsam Mtn was better before the check-in method was changed. Too many signs on all the posts. How do I know which site I want until I get there? It's hard to get phone reception way up there. We stayed at Gunter Hill campground. We tried to register on line and all sites were taken. We went there and hardly any sites were taken. Unless it has been improved, this process needs to be done away with.

John L

Verified

January 16, 2020 Stayed at: 42, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

1

It’s a beautiful ride up to the campground, and it’s secluded. There are several nice camp sites there. Other than that I was disappointed. Lots of the sites are crammed together. Some like ours you practically park in the road beside your camp site. Larger campers barely got by without hitting our car. The pictures of the camp sites online are very misleading. I have a van with a awning I was planning on using because they were calling for rain but when we got there realized you could not use a awning because you’re parking on the side of a hill and walk down to the campsite. Online it listed it suitable for campers and rvs and last time I checked most campers and rvs have awnings. They should have listed this on their site. Also you can use generators there but instead of having limited hours of operation say for an hr or so in the morning and then Manet an hr or 2 in the afternoon . You can run them almost all day. Not what I wanted to listen to at 9:00 in the morning sitting there trying to enjoy nature. Probably won’t go back.

Dale P

Verified

January 16, 2020 Stayed at: 32, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

4

Stopped for an overnight stay after visiting 11 National Parks / Monuments in 16 days. Nice site, close to restrooms, our site had a very steep incline down to the campsite, which caused me to leave just 4 stars instead of 5. We will definitely stay again, but try to find a better level site.

james b

Verified

January 16, 2020 Stayed at: 19, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

5

Enjoyed my stay as usual! Everything was neat and clean. It's a very nice out of the way experience. The sunset viewing area is my favorite place to be in the evening. I will be back!

Jonathan L

Verified

January 16, 2020 Stayed at: 12, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

5

An excellent campground at high altitude in the Smoky mountains. A great place to escape the southern heat in summer. Not a big campground but nice and well kept. Out of the way but convenient to nature and picturesque views.

Robert M

Verified

January 16, 2020 Stayed at: 36, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

3

Balsam Mtn was better before the check-in method was changed. Too many signs on all the posts. How do I know which site I want until I get there? It's hard to get phone reception way up there. We stayed at Gunter Hill campground. We tried to register on line and all sites were taken. We went there and hardly any sites were taken. Unless it has been improved, this process needs to be done away with.

John L

Verified

January 16, 2020 Stayed at: 42, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

1

It’s a beautiful ride up to the campground, and it’s secluded. There are several nice camp sites there. Other than that I was disappointed. Lots of the sites are crammed together. Some like ours you practically park in the road beside your camp site. Larger campers barely got by without hitting our car. The pictures of the camp sites online are very misleading. I have a van with a awning I was planning on using because they were calling for rain but when we got there realized you could not use a awning because you’re parking on the side of a hill and walk down to the campsite. Online it listed it suitable for campers and rvs and last time I checked most campers and rvs have awnings. They should have listed this on their site. Also you can use generators there but instead of having limited hours of operation say for an hr or so in the morning and then Manet an hr or 2 in the afternoon . You can run them almost all day. Not what I wanted to listen to at 9:00 in the morning sitting there trying to enjoy nature. Probably won’t go back.

Dale P

Verified

January 16, 2020 Stayed at: 32, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

4

Stopped for an overnight stay after visiting 11 National Parks / Monuments in 16 days. Nice site, close to restrooms, our site had a very steep incline down to the campsite, which caused me to leave just 4 stars instead of 5. We will definitely stay again, but try to find a better level site.

james b

Verified

January 16, 2020 Stayed at: 19, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

5

Enjoyed my stay as usual! Everything was neat and clean. It's a very nice out of the way experience. The sunset viewing area is my favorite place to be in the evening. I will be back!

Jonathan L

Verified

January 16, 2020 Stayed at: 12, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

5

An excellent campground at high altitude in the Smoky mountains. A great place to escape the southern heat in summer. Not a big campground but nice and well kept. Out of the way but convenient to nature and picturesque views.

Location Balsam Mountain Campground

Address:
253 Smokemont Campground Road
Cherokee, NC, 28719
United States

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.

Latitude & Longitude: 35.5654 / -83.1743

Elevation: 1633 feet

Nearby National Park

Yosemite National Park

Arch Rock Entrance

Approximate driving time: 54 min

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: June 4, 2026

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