Cherokee, NC
Balsam Mountain Campground
Balsam Mountain Campground sits in a remote pocket of Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee, North Carolina, offering 42 campsites away from the park's busier zones.
The campground accepts advance reservations and accommodates RVs, trailers, tents, and pop-up campers across standard and tent-only sites, with one ADA-accessible spot available. No permit is required to camp here.
The secluded location makes it a base for exploring less-trafficked trails and backcountry within the park. If Balsam Mountain is booked, Cosby Campground and Big Creek Campground are nearby alternatives within the same park.
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Common Questions
What campers most often want to know about Balsam Mountain Campground.
Do I need a permit to camp at Balsam Mountain Campground?
No permit is required to camp at Balsam Mountain Campground. Sites are reservable in advance, so you can book your stay ahead of your trip rather than showing up first-come, first-served.
How many campsites are there, and is the campground accessible?
Balsam Mountain Campground has 42 total campsites. One site is ADA-accessible, so travelers with mobility needs have a dedicated option to reserve.
What kind of camping equipment can I bring?
The campground offers a mix of standard and tent-only sites. Standard sites can accommodate RVs, trailers, and pop-up campers in addition to tents, while tent-only sites are reserved strictly for tent camping.
What makes Balsam Mountain different from other campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
Balsam Mountain sits in a more remote section of the park, giving it a quieter, less-crowded feel than many of the park's other campgrounds. Its surrounding trails also tend to see less foot traffic than trails in more popular areas of the Smokies.
Is there anything to do right at the campground?
Yes, the campground has its own short nature trail for an easy walk without leaving the area. It's also a good base for exploring the wider network of hiking trails in the Smokies, many of which are lightly used near Balsam Mountain.
How can Open Canyon help me snag a site at Balsam Mountain if it's booked up?
Open Canyon monitors Balsam Mountain Campground's reservation availability and can alert you when a previously booked site opens up due to a cancellation. This lets you grab a newly freed date instead of only relying on manually refreshing the booking page yourself.