About Balsam Mountain Campground
Number of accommodations: 42
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
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
Jay S
VerifiedAugust 15, 2025 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
This is a very nice campground with basic amenities. The campsites are spaced apart to allow some privacy. Most campsites are up or down a hill to get to your vehicle. The bathrooms are cleaned frequently. There are no lights in the bathrooms so a flashlight is needed after dark.
Jay S
VerifiedAugust 15, 2025 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
This is a very nice campground with basic amenities. The campsites are spaced apart to allow some privacy. Most campsites are up or down a hill to get to your vehicle. The bathrooms are cleaned frequently. There are no lights in the bathrooms so a flashlight is needed after dark.
Emily B
VerifiedAugust 14, 2025 • Stayed at: 39, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
I stayed 3 nights with my school-aged children. The campground was very well maintained and clean, and the drive to get there was beautiful. We will be back!
Emily B
VerifiedAugust 14, 2025 • Stayed at: 39, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
I stayed 3 nights with my school-aged children. The campground was very well maintained and clean, and the drive to get there was beautiful. We will be back!
Ashby H
VerifiedAugust 13, 2025 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Nice facilities except for no showers. Wildlife and hiking nearby.
Ashby H
VerifiedAugust 13, 2025 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Nice facilities except for no showers. Wildlife and hiking nearby.
Patrick M
VerifiedAugust 10, 2025 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
We spent a night recently at Balsam Mountain Campground. Even though it rained nearly 100% of the time and we were in hammocks, it was an excellent night. I'm usually there every year for several days and will always come back!
Patrick M
VerifiedAugust 10, 2025 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
We spent a night recently at Balsam Mountain Campground. Even though it rained nearly 100% of the time and we were in hammocks, it was an excellent night. I'm usually there every year for several days and will always come back!
Meredith S
VerifiedAugust 10, 2025 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Clean and very close to some great hikes! We saw an elk, a bear, and two boar on our drive in, which was very cool!
Meredith S
VerifiedAugust 10, 2025 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
Clean and very close to some great hikes! We saw an elk, a bear, and two boar on our drive in, which was very cool!
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 5, 2026