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
Richard O
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 43, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Great place to camp. We had a tent space and had no issues while there. The bathrooms were always clean. Only downside not limited to this specific campsite was that pets were not allowed on the trails and that was not known beforehand as we brought our dog. Policy should be something like “pets allowed on trails at owners own risk”.
Rebecca S
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 25, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Love the campground. Always cool enough to enjoy. Host always helpful and friendly. Good hiking trails nearby. Met a lot of nice people/fellow campers while there. Been several times and always a good experience.
Rondall C
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 36, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Primitive but very nice! Would definitely return!
Sue H
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
We love to camp in Balsalm Mountain campground. It is much cooler than the lower campgrounds and very quiet. In the evenings, it is a short trek up to Heintooga Overlook to view beautiful sunsets.
Richard O
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 43, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Great place to camp. We had a tent space and had no issues while there. The bathrooms were always clean. Only downside not limited to this specific campsite was that pets were not allowed on the trails and that was not known beforehand as we brought our dog. Policy should be something like “pets allowed on trails at owners own risk”.
Rebecca N
VerifiedJanuary 9, 2020 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
We enjoyed the scenery and relative calm of the campsite. Don't forget to bring a flashlight, the bathrooms are dark but were sufficient and pretty clean.
Edward Y
VerifiedJanuary 9, 2020 • Stayed at: 20, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
The campground host treated us very poorly
Rebecca N
VerifiedJanuary 9, 2020 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
We enjoyed the scenery and relative calm of the campsite. Don't forget to bring a flashlight, the bathrooms are dark but were sufficient and pretty clean.
Edward Y
VerifiedJanuary 9, 2020 • Stayed at: 20, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
The campground host treated us very poorly
Virpi K
VerifiedDecember 29, 2019 • Stayed at: 25, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Balsam Mountain was very beautiful and peaceful. The climate cool even in July. There weren't many hiking paths near the camping area. The staff was friendly.
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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