Best Campgrounds near Balsam, NC

We stayed for six days in March. We loved everything about this campground. The sites are spacious and well spaced, offering more privacy than many locations. The showers and bathrooms were very clean. There are numerous hikes that are on the grounds or just outside. The staff was very helpful and friendly. The campground is 15 minutes from downtown Asheville and 5 minutes from the North Carolina arboretum.

General: 81-site RV park. Some sites are paved, and some are gravel. They are rated Economy, Premium, or Super Premium, although it was difficult for me to see the difference between some of these sites. 

Site Quality: We chose a Super-Premium Site (the same price on the Dyrt as the other sites so why not?) but I was surprised to find out our camper pad was gravel and not paved. We had water and electric, but not sewer (not needed). Our site also had a picnic table. 

Bath/Shower House: All-in-one contained clean units with sink, toilet, and shower. Nice towel rack and hook. Did not use the shower so cannot comment on its quality. 

Activities/Amenities: There are many activities to keep family members occupied, including a playground, basketball, corn hole, soccer nets, community fire pit (you can rent a private firepit), and in-season, a pool. There is also a clean laundry room with three reasonably priced washers and dryers. 

We arrived just after the office closed at 4 pm and had to leave before the office opened at 9 am the following morning but we did meet the resort manager who was very welcoming. We chose this location because it was the most convenient for where we needed to be the following morning. 

While this RV park was clean and well-maintained, it was also located on a busy road, so road noise was always present. There was no foliage/separation between sites although there was a reasonable amount of space between sites. 

For us personally, I would give it three stars because we prefer more rustic camping with trees and less/no road noise, but if you like RV parks with many activities, I would recommend this one.

Dog friendly and beautiful views from most of the sites. Plenty of hikes nearby too. Hot showers and clean bathrooms!

We arrived pretty late, close to midnight after hitting a lot of traffic traveling from Fl. The coordinates took us directly here, and upon first arriving we did see a campsite to the left which was being used. Continuing on for about another twenty minutes down a one-way gravel road we did not see anymore sites until the end of the road which has a beautiful sunrise view. There are hundreds of downed trees, I am assuming from Hurricane Helene. Which were chopped up, perfect for a firering.

We went almost to the end of the road before turning around and just pulling over onto a little 'shoulder' to set up the tent for the night.

Pros- Dead silent and relaxing Great view of the stars during early spring/late winter

Cons- Not car accessible (road is narrow and very bumpy. 4x4 recommended but I made it down in a 2x4 fullsize pickup) Have not seen nor heard any creek despite one being in the photos.

Definitely would come back

Staff is awesome. Any trailer longer than 25 feet is tight getting to back sites

We booked Turkey Creek Campground through their website after finding them on TheDyrt—super easy and completely contactless, which was a great start.

The location? Magical. Nestled in a quiet valley surrounded by mountains and trees in the Nantahala National Forest, just south of the Smokies. If you know, you know—the area where the forest and mountains meet is ethereal.

We showed up a little early for check-in and met Rick, the owner and host. Let me tell you, this man radiates good vibes. He’s funny, welcoming, and you can immediately tell he loves what he does. We were tent camping in the off-season and had plenty of sites to choose from—Rick let us drive around to pick our favorite. We landed on Site 18 (highly recommend!) but sites 22, 8, and 9 also stood out.

The roads are well-maintained gravel. The entrance is a steep gravel hill, but our 2WD Camry handled it just fine.

The clubhouse/office? ADORABLE. Airy, bright, and Rick sells a few camping essentials and some Turkey Creek merch (super soft shirts, FYI) inside, and a single-serve coffee machine ready to go—a lifesaver for our chilly March mornings. There’s also ice and firewood available for a small fee.

Behind the clubhouse, a covered wooden deck with bistro tables and rocking chairs overlooks the campground. It rained during our stay, and sitting out there, listening to the rain with a cup of Joe? Perfection.

The sites: Clean, well-maintained, and thoughtfully placed. Our tent site sat along a babbling creek that lulled us to sleep at night—absolute A+. Every site has an in-ground rock firepit and wooden picnic table, with a mix of tent, RV, and van sites spread across 10 acres, a handful of which are creekside like ours was.

And the bathhouses… Y'ALL. Located under the clubhouse, they have hot water (😍), rain showerheads, and are hands-down the cleanest campground facilities I’ve ever seen. I felt safe and comfortable showering here.

Bonus: There’s a ¾-mile hike to Fontana Lake right from the campground. Heads up—it can be marshy or underwater in spots, so wear hiking boots or waders. In March, the lake is so low we could walk on the lakebed and even found what might be an old homestead foundation from before the dam was built in the ‘40s! Mind-blowing to think that spot is 50+ feet underwater in the summer.

Bottom line: Turkey Creek is the best campground we’ve ever stayed at. Rick puts his heart into this place, and it shows. If you’re thinking about booking, DO IT. It’s already fully booked for major summer holidays—and it’s only March! Get on the cancellation list if you have to, because it’s 1000% worth it. Rick owns two other campground's too, one in Indiana and one in Illinois, which I assume are both equally as stunning and clean.

We immediately confirmed another weekend in 2 weeks, and absolutely plan to be back in summer... If we can even get a spot 😭

You MUST camp outside of 1000ft from road. You WILL get investigated by park Rangers, which stepped up enforcement of this stupid, pointless law around 2 years ago.

Otherwise, wonderful, awesome spot. If you wanna ignore the rules, I advise the topmost pullout. Best sunrise views.

it's a bbit claustrophobic, each site being quite close to the other. We were tent ccamping, and iit appears that most of the sites are a better desiggned for RV camping. Being as close as it is to great Smoky Mountains National Park, it was predictably absoolutely full the entire week we were there, so  one's enjoyment may have a lot to do with who your next-door neighbors are, especially when you are tent camping and don't have the advantage of your own personal sound dampening and air conditioning. But if you want to be close to the national park, this is a great pick, as you are just a couple miles from the beginning off the Townsend entrance to the park.

When we were there, they had also installed a couple of restored teardrop traailers from what appeared to be the 1960s. On our last night, we decided to switch from tent camping to   renting one of the teardrops, which was quite small but quite fun, quite kitschy, restored to match the era.  

In spite of the fact that the camp is located right along a busy highway, the noise level was not too big of a problem since the campsites are not dirrectly next to the highway but  rather back in further, with some of  the more coveted spots being right next to the river. Even  if your camp spot is not on the river, there are two or three places to access it, making it possible to cool down onn a hot muggy summer day by wading in the very cold stream, or even tubing down to your campsite by having someone drop you upstream. I don't think they rent tubes at the campground but there are several places within walking distance that do.

The restrooms were quite nice for campsite restrooms — three or four private showers in each restroom, sinks with mirrors, etc. They keep out non-guests by having the restrooms accessible with a key code lock.

The pool looks nice and is well maintained, but we did not use it. There is also a big pavilion used by some church group every Sunday morning, offering worship services to vacationers, and dooing Sunday school crafts with the little kids.

This is my favorite SC park (so far). Several waterfalls are in the area, plus fishing lakes and swimming beach. Lots of outdoorsy things to do, and beautiful views of Table Rock from the Mountain Laurel Campground. The White Oak Campground is hillier. I stayed here over New Year's and did a ranger-led First Day Hike.

Beautiful, peaceful, and relaxing. The campground and facilities were  very clean and well kept. Carter, the owner, is great. He was very helpful and accommodating. We will be back!

Great spot in a beautiful area. Good sized lots. Really cool coffee shop right outside the campground for people that like that kind of thing.

Large campground but had level, shaded, and private camp sites. Flush toilets clean but no showers. Traffic was a beast but there were good hiking trails from campground. I was on a loop that allowed generators but very few were in use. Nice creek runs through campground. Campground fairly close to visitor center and nearby hiking trails but wickedly crowded. Very strict rules regarding food storage and park has managed to control bears and raccoons. Dump station on site.

Approx 20 miles from main visitor center. The scenic drive increases congestion and traffic. Camp store is near campsites. Also a ranger station. Several hiking trails are accessible from campground. All driveways shaded, paved, and level. Very pleasant place. Only negative is the requirement to check in between 9-10:00 am the following day if one arrived later than check in time, which caused me to change hiking plans.

My wife& I stayed at Oconee State Park Oct. 28th-31st in a Cabin. For 90% of the stay, we had a wonderful time in the Cabin and walking/viewing the Lake, etc. However, there were several events that occurred in the Cabin that were disgusting and resulted in a BAD Situation and which I would assume is also occurring throughout the entire Oconee Park Cabin locations. On the 1st Night: We killed a"huge" Brown Recluse in our bathroom, on the floor near the sink wall. Luckily, I captured it and threw it in the fire. Next Morning: I noticed a big Fat Worm about 2-3" long of some unknown type on the bathroom floor near the sink area again. Obviously disposed of it. That afternoon, we went to the Station and told the Ranger attendant guy about our 2 experiences already. He searched and gave us a white Orkin Glue Strip to use and explained that Pest Control occasionally visits the Cabins?? Really?? Apparently not ours! 2nd Night: After placing the Glue Strip in the bathroom near the sink wall, I could not believe that, after hearing my wife scream, I discovered a Mouse partially trapped by the glue trap and only able to barely crawl toward the log wall with its front legs. I cautiously picked-up the glue trap from behind and threw the critter outside, still attached. 3rd Morning: Once again, another type of unknown Big Fat Worm in the bathroom near the sink and about 2" long. Again, disposed of. I cannot believe that, as nice as the rest of our Cabin#5 was, that there were that many insects& Varmints freely entering the Cabin walls. That was truthfully, DISGUSTING& VERY DISAPPOINTING. It is apparent that this Oconee State Park Cabin(s??) is managed by Gross Oversight& Negligence by someone. These four(4) unpleasant events greatly disturbed our stay and left a Very Unpleasant Taste in our Minds due to these occurrences. Imagine how uncomfortable you might be trying to slip into your bed linens at night with this invasion happening!!! If this State Facility is using any kind of Pest Control Measures, then obviously it is NOT WORKING and someone should be Disciplined or Fired! We have already filed a Complaint with the Oconee Park Manager several weeks ago and with the SC State Parks but as usual& expected, NO RESPONSE FROM ANYONE! NO ONE! Obviously, SC Parks and their Park Manager could care less about their customer’s bad experience, or the terrible condition of their specific cabins. All they want is YOUR MONEY$$$ and then you can leave!

This place is truly magical. So much effort has been put into themed cabins, unique art work, and detail. Kids and adults can spend time in a fantasy world of their choice. Kids can explore the magical grounds, play in the large creek, and get to know the resident goats, pigs, miniature horse, etc..

Each campsite has wonderful views of the water. there is a playground by the entrance and near the farthest campsites as well. we enjoyed our stay.

Right off 276 on the right as you are going down the mountain. Hard gravel road. As soon as you turn in there is a spot on the left and a little further up there is a bigger spot right on the little creek just before the gate. Not 100% sure it is a spot as it is not marked but signs may have been damaged and it does show a tent symbol on the forest service map. There is a lot of back and forth traffic in the morning but it dies down around 9 pm. There is a fall a few miles up the road and connects to other service roads hence the traffic . We made it down the road in a 30' class A motorhome and made a 180 and was able to level the rig no problem and it's well off the road Did not see any fire rings in this spot or the first one ( pictured in the first image). No cell service, starlink worked enough to stream tv and post this.