All campsites have Is Equipment Mandatory

1 of 42 campsites have Accessible Flush Toilets

1 of 42 campsites have Accessible Occupant Message

1 of 42 campsites have Drinking Water (Peak Season)

Balsam Mountain Campground Site 1 with tree, picnic table and roadside parking

Balsam Mountain Campground Site 1 parking area

Balsam Mountain Campground Site 1 with picnic table

Balsam Mountain Campground Site 2

Balsam Mountain Campground Site 3

Balsam Mountain Campground Site 3 Parking

Site 4 Balsam Mountain Campground

Balsam Mountain Campground Site 4

Balsam Mountain Campground  Site 5 Parking

Balsam Mountain Campground  Site 5

Balsam Mountain Campground Site 6

Balsam Mountain Campground  Site 6

Balsam Mountain Campground   Accessible Site 6

Balsam Mountain Campground  Site 6 Parking

Balsam Mountain Campground Site 7

Balsam Mountain Campground Site 8

Balsam Mountain Campground Site 9 Walk In

Balsam Mountain Campground Site 9

Balsam Mountain Campground Site 10

Stairs to Balsam Mountain Campground Site 10

Balsam Mountain Campground Stairs to Site 12

Balsam Mountain Campground Site 12

Balsam Mountain Campground Site 13

Parking for Site 13 Balsam Mountain Campground

Site 13 Balsam Mountain Campground

BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

Balsam Mountain Campground Site 14 Parking

Site 14  Balsam Mountain Campground

Balsam Mountain Campground Site 14

Site View from street

Site View

Site View entrance

Campsite 16 showing picnic table and trees

Parking for Site 16 in Balsam Mnt Campground

Balsam Mountain Campground Site 17

Landscape View

Street View Site 17 Balsam Mountain Campground

Hemlock

Elk viewing

Entrance to Site

SIte

BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Trail sign

BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Entrance

BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Walk in Sites

BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Parking area

Balsam Mountain Campground

<h2>Overview</h2>
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.<h2>Recreation</h2>
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. 
<br /><br />
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.  
<br /><br />
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.             
<br /><br />
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.  The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy.            
<br /><br />
The park also holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States.  Over 90 historic structures have been preserved in the park.     
<br /><br />
For the auto touring enthusiast, the 14-mile Heintooga Round Bottom Road, a one-way unimproved gravel drive, offers spectacular scenery with mountain vistas and the occasional bear or elk sighting.  Buses, motorhome, vans longer than 25' and any vehicle towing a trailer are prohibited on this road.<h2>Facilities</h2>
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.<h2>Natural Features</h2>
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.
<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
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

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.

BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND - 29

Great Facilities and Amenities

campfire allowed

checkin time

checkout time

drinking water

driveway entry

firepit

hike in distance to site

max num of people

max num of vehicles

pets allowed

picnic table

shade

site access

Permitted Equipment

tent-0ft

Campsites

01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

42

43