Available sites
42 total sites
RV Sites
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
Casper S
VerifiedMay 19, 2021 • Stayed at: 32, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
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.
Chris L
VerifiedOctober 13, 2020 • Stayed at: 04, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Not like the other campgrounds. The road is along a ridgeline and most of the sites are just off to the side. The altitude and views are great. Bathrooms clean and hosts are friendly. Choose the site wisely. The ones on the northwest loop on the west side are more secluded.
Chris L
VerifiedOctober 13, 2020 • Stayed at: 04, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Not like the other campgrounds. The road is along a ridgeline and most of the sites are just off to the side. The altitude and views are great. Bathrooms clean and hosts are friendly. Choose the site wisely. The ones on the northwest loop on the west side are more secluded.
renae d
VerifiedOctober 11, 2020 • Stayed at: 29, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Campground was clean and peaceful.
Really like the bear cabinets in the tent area.
10/10 would camp there again.
Kimberly P
VerifiedOctober 11, 2020 • Stayed at: 04, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
If you truly want to disconnect from the world’s craziness—THIS is the place! ⛰ 🌅 🏕 🐻 🐿
It is QUIET, Full of PEACE.
renae d
VerifiedOctober 11, 2020 • Stayed at: 29, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Campground was clean and peaceful.
Really like the bear cabinets in the tent area.
10/10 would camp there again.
Kimberly P
VerifiedOctober 11, 2020 • Stayed at: 04, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
If you truly want to disconnect from the world’s craziness—THIS is the place! ⛰ 🌅 🏕 🐻 🐿
It is QUIET, Full of PEACE.
Daniel M
VerifiedOctober 8, 2020 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
The mountain is steep so some campsites have stone steps to access. The sites are fairly close compared to most parks. The bathrooms are unlit and there's one central dish washing spot. The place is well maintained. Its rather out of the way with no campstore or ranger station to get a campsite. So you tend to get more experienced and quiet(!!) campers here. Great place to get in shape in a hurry if you have flat landers legs :)
Daniel M
VerifiedOctober 8, 2020 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
The mountain is steep so some campsites have stone steps to access. The sites are fairly close compared to most parks. The bathrooms are unlit and there's one central dish washing spot. The place is well maintained. Its rather out of the way with no campstore or ranger station to get a campsite. So you tend to get more experienced and quiet(!!) campers here. Great place to get in shape in a hurry if you have flat landers legs :)
Chad T
VerifiedOctober 6, 2020 • Stayed at: 05, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
A lovely campground with lots of options for tent and RV camping. This is one of the highest elevation campgrounds in the park and is a must for a cool nights sleep during the summer. Beautiful overlooks on the way to the campground and a very nice camp host made for an exceptional visit! Newfound Gap isn’t far at all and many hiking trails are nearby. A lovely campground!
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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