Balsam Mountain Campground

I'm giving this campground 5 stars because you'll feel like you're in a part of the park that no one goes to. It's over an hour to get to the main part of the park, visitor centers, etc. There's still several hikes in the Balsam area so there's no need to drive to the main entrance if you don't want. However, if you do, the drive takes you along the Blue Ridge Parkway which has some amazing views. The campground is at about 5,500 ft so expect fog, clouds, and rain (it rained every day on us even though it wasn't raining at lower elevations in the park). It's a pretty small campground and some of the sites are not great, some sit literally feet from the driveway. Surprisingly, they allow RV's at a decent number of sites which means that they're all parked in the driveway (I would hate to camp here with an RV and just park in a road). Several of the sites sit above or below the main road and offer more privacy and a more secluded feeling. Each site has a tent pad which is helpful since the campground is on top of a mountain and not level at all. All items need to be put away in your vehicle overnight since bear visits are possible. Campground host was very friendly and helpful. Bathrooms were in great condition and kept clean. If we were in a different campsite, I'd probably give the campground 4 stars but with a good site, this campground can be amazing.

I don't want others to go there. It's a special place that needs no promotion.

I don't want others to go there. It's a special place that needs no promotion.

It is a well-managed but crowded campground. Temperature is very comfortable in summer time. Clean bathroom. Trials around this campground are not too easy and have moderate views.

Try other campgrounds if you can.

It is a well-managed but crowded campground. Temperature is very comfortable in summer time. Clean bathroom. Trials around this campground are not too easy and have moderate views.

Try other campgrounds if you can.

It is a well-managed but crowded campground. Temperature is very comfortable in summer time. Clean bathroom. Trials around this campground are not too easy and have moderate views.

Try other campgrounds if you can.

It is a well-managed but crowded campground. Temperature is very comfortable in summer time. Clean bathroom. Trials around this campground are not too easy and have moderate views.

Try other campgrounds if you can.

Always a nice place to go. I've never had a bad camping experience here. First trip was 2002. I knew then that this campground was an awesome find. Don't tell anyone how great it is. I don't want it to get crowded.

Always a nice place to go. I've never had a bad camping experience here. First trip was 2002. I knew then that this campground was an awesome find. Don't tell anyone how great it is. I don't want it to get crowded.

Lovely campground, and the only one on our roadtrip to not have poison ivy. The bathrooms & wash station were fine - very clean but no hot water (expected). The water went out a few hours before we arrived due to a leak in the water supply tank/pipe(?l, but they had it fixed before the sun went down. It was VERY chilly. We're here in May, & it went down into the 40s at night - it felt amazing to snuggle up in our tent. My favorite campsite thus far.