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.
More like this: reservable in North Carolina · pets allowed in North Carolina
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 29 |
| Tent-only | 14 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 24 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
43 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Tent only | 20 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 02 | Standard | 20 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Preferred | ||
| 03 | Standard | 24 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Prime | ||
| 04 | Standard | 24 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 05 | Standard | 20 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Prime | ||
| 06 | Standard | 24 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | Yes | Standard | |
| 07 | Standard | 24 | Paved | Full | 6 / 2 | Yes | Prime | ||
| 08 | Standard | 31 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 09 | Standard | 27 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 10 | Tent only | 31 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 24 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Fees | Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). |
| Accessibility | Site 06 is listed accessible |
Balsam Mountain Campground offers 42 campsites for a traditional outdoor camping experience with the added convenience of flush toilets and drinking water. There are no hookups or showers at the campground. No lights are available in the restrooms at this campground. For campers' safety use of a flashlight, lantern or headlamp is recommended when accessing these facilities after day light hours.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
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 National Park at Black Camp Gap and continue 9 miles to Balsam Mountain Campground.
| Nearest town | Cherokee, North Carolina |
| Coordinates | 35.5654° N, 83.1743° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Wildlife viewing is a popular pastime, and with around 1,500 bears living in the park, it is not uncommon for visitors to spot one.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 7.6 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Black Balsam Outdoors ↗ | 13.5 mi |
| RV sales & service | A&L RV Sales ↗ | 36.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Balsam Mountain Campground Tour 4K - Find that perfect Smoky Mountains campsite
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Cherokee National Forest, which overlaps National Forests in North Carolina.
- inCherokee National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,228,298 acres
- inNational Forests in North Carolina ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,026,237 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Oconaluftee Baptist ChurchBuilding · Cherokee · 7.6 mi
- WindoverBuilding · Waynesville · 11.1 mi
- Clyde H. Ray Sr., HouseBuilding · Waynesville · 11.3 mi
Natural features
Balsam Mountain Campground is surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges and pristine mountain streams. Elk are common in this part of the park during the spring and fall. Located at 5,310 feet elevation, Balsam Mountain's daytime temperatures rarely exceed 70 degrees F and night time temperatures may dip into the low 50's.
Recreation
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, with over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from short, leg-stretchers to strenuous treks. The Balsam Mountain area features several trails that are less heavily used compared to other areas of the park. The campground offers a short nature trail located beside site 43. The hiker only Flat Creek Trail is a pleasant walk through a hardwood forest. For the adventurous hiker the Hemphill Bald and Rough Fork trails provide a 14-mile loop hike, with outstanding views and old growth trees. Campers can enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams and rivers that snake through the mountains. Anglers will agree that some of the best trout fishing in the area can be found along the Balsam Mountain and Straight Fork Roads, some of the most remote sections of the park. Fly fishing is particularly good during spring months when aquatic insects hatch in large numbers.
Nearby
Nearby attractions include: Maggie Valley, NC, Cherokee, NC, the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, the Mountain Farm Museum, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Nantahala Outdoor Center, the Bryson City Railway and Asheville, NC
Guidebooks for Great Smoky Mountains National Park
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Fly Fishing Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National ParkIan Rutter and Charity Rutter, 2024Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Balsam Mountain Campground?
Sites at Balsam Mountain Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Balsam Mountain Campground?
Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation).
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Balsam Mountain Campground?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Balsam Mountain Campground have?
43 sites, including 29 standard sites without power and 14 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Balsam Mountain Campground?
The longest site here provides 24 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Balsam Mountain Campground?
Balsam Mountain Campground offers 42 campsites for a traditional outdoor camping experience with the added convenience of flush toilets and drinking water.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Balsam Mountain Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Balsam Mountain Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Balsam Mountain Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Balsam Mountain Campground?
Site 06 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Balsam Mountain Campground?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Balsam Mountain Campground?
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, with over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from short, leg-stretchers to strenuous treks. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Balsam Mountain Campground?
Cherokee, North Carolina. Nearby attractions include: Maggie Valley, NC, Cherokee, NC, the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, the Mountain Farm Museum, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Nantahala Outdoor Center, the Bryson City Railway and Asheville, NC
Source: Getting there