Best Campgrounds near Balsam, NC

Looking for the best campgrounds near Balsam, NC? Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Balsam. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Balsam and user-submitted reviews.

Best Camping Sites Near Balsam, North Carolina (661)

    1. Smokemont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    53 Reviews
    Cherokee, NC
    16 miles
    +1 (828) 497-9270

    $30 / night

    "Smokemont is a great campground in the North Carolina side of the Smoky Mountains. It is a perfect base camp to enjoy this amazing national park."

    "We only stayed for 1 night but really enjoyed the campgrounds proximity to activities on the North Carolina side of the park."

    2. Balsam Mountain Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    26 Reviews
    Maggie Valley, NC
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 497-9270

    $30 / night

    "If you want to put some distance between you and the masses at Great Smoky NP than head to Balsam Mountain Campground. Quieter and greater chance of seeing bears and other wild life."

    "And this campground is in a fabulous location. When you stay here, you are tucked in a lush green mountain about a mile above sea level."

    3. Indian Creek Campground

    24 Reviews
    Cherokee, NC
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 497-4361

    $26 - $37 / night

    "Indian Creek offers the most relaxing creekside camping in North Carolina.

    Every campsite is lush with greenery, private and well maintained after each occupancy."

    "The site was pretty large, level, and had unparalleled views and access to Bunches Creek."

    4. Moonshine Creek Campground

    16 Reviews
    Balsam, NC
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 586-6666

    "Minutes from the parkway for hiking, 2 miles away from a creek on the WNC fly fishing trail, and plenty of space to get out and walk around the grounds."

    "My site was right next to the stream and little covered bridge. It sounded like it was always raining. We used the pavilion for get togethers, it has a nice kitchen area with a grill."

    5. Davidson River Campground

    83 Reviews
    Pisgah Forest, NC
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 785-5337

    $37 - $84 / night

    "Once again, interested in checking out as many waterfalls and cascades we could locate, the water flow will be so much more dramatic amidst heavy rainfall."

    "We had a quick nights stay in Davidson River Campground after picking up our new SylvanSport GO tent trailer in nearby Brevard, North Carolina."

    6. Cataloochee Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    31 Reviews
    Maggie Valley, NC
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 497-9270

    $30 / night

    "The North Carolina part has a slightly different feel. Less of a circus and less crowded and more laid back. Loving it! Beautiful. Just wish there were showers here....lol."

    "This:

    Access to Cataloochee is via a narrow, winding, mountain road. A 3-mile stretch of gravel road contains many narrow, blind curves."

    7. Stonebridge RV Resort

    16 Reviews
    Maggie Valley, NC
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 926-1904

    $60 - $90 / night

    "Easy access to everything needed. Tent sites were a little small. But overall very friendly management. Close to Waynesville and all the cute places in Maggie Valley."

    "Not having to walk to the bath house in the middle of the night was a welcome relief, but RV camping is not my favorite way to“camp.”"

    8. Cherokee-Great Smokies KOA

    25 Reviews
    Cherokee, NC
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 497-9711

    "If I’m not mistaken, the one we were at this time was either the same cabin or one close to it.  It is perfectly situated beside the river.  "

    "But if you’re a tent camper, be aware that the tent sites are located near the road (I will never understand why campsites do this, since we are the ones with no soundproofing)."

    9. Mount Pisgah Campground

    40 Reviews
    Mills River, NC
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 648-2644

    $30 / night

    "We decided to escape the heat and head for one of the “cooler” campgrounds in western North Carolina for a weekend. Mt Pisgah Campground is at an elevation of roughly 5300’."

    "First of all, the location is awesome. You descend into the campground directly from the Blue Ridge Parkway, which provides for a beautiful drive to the site."

    10. Cosby Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    70 Reviews
    Cosby, TN
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 487-2683

    $50 / night

    "Cosby is great if you want to explore the eastern section of North Carolina sections of the park."

    "Cosby is about half an hour outside of Gatlinburg and worth every minute.

    A16 was big and shady. There were a few steps down to it. Plenty of trees and distance to the nearest neighbors."

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Recent Reviews near Balsam, NC

3144 Reviews of 661 Balsam Campgrounds


  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Gorges State Park Campground

    CAUTION: steep grades and curvy road

    This campground would’ve gotten five stars except for the road getting there was pretty exciting. The last 10 miles out of Brevard were curvy and had some grades. And the last 2 miles into the campground had I would guess a couple of 10% grades both up and down. Other than that, this campground was super nice. Has the nicest showers I have ever seen in a campground. All the sites for RVs are on concrete pads with electric, water, and sewer. This was a great staging point for our trip up to the great Smoky Mountains. The visitor center was very informative.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Lodge

    Beautiful grounds if you feel like splurging

    It is an absolutely beautiful campground with an awesome club house and a ton to do. The pool and lazy river are heated. Honestly though you really need to want to splurge to justify staying here because you are still camping if that makes sense.

    Also the trolley “system” is super confusing and the front desk knows nothing about it lol

    Our site is great. It is right across the road from the playground without having to pay for a family site.

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Cades Cove Campground

    Quite, beautiful, weekend traffic

    This is one of the quietest campgrounds I’ve stayed at. Sites are nestled in the woods in a cove in the Smokies. No cell service. No internet. No cable tv. Just peace and quiet! This is a national park campgrounds, so no water, electric or hookups. There is a dump station and modern bathrooms. Cold water showers. There is a camp store with basics. There is a lot of traffic especially on weekends with visitors driving the scenic Cades Cove Loop Road.

  • Robert N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Campfire Lodgings

    Tent camping

    Tent camping sites are walk in, down hill, obviously thar means hauling your stuff out uphill when you leave. RVers have a great view from the ridge top. But a difficult day camping is far better than any day at work.

  • Alden B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Ash Grove Mountain Cabins & Camping

    Very Nice camping near Dupont National Forest

    If you want close access to Dupont and Pisga NF you're within minutes! The owners Mark & Esther are wonderful. We call him SouthSide Mark ( hails from South Africa). Some sites are a little tight, but fine. If you have a big rig call ahead. The cabin was wonderful. The bathhouse is older but very clean. You can tell the owners love their campers and property. The site is tree covered and hilly. We will come again, guaranteed! Watch your step. Wood Spirits are Everywhere!

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Little River Campground & RV Resort

    Labor Day weekend

    Overall a positive experience. We stayed in the tent camping area. Absolutely beautiful site with a wonderful river view, but be aware that the direct river bank is considered common area including day use so it had a lot of traffic while we were there. The staff was very helpful and friendly. Being a holiday weekend it was very crowded and very noisy, including a few neighbors without regards to quiet hours. Overall the facilities including bath house are were very nice though I believe the large crowds caused issues with the crew being able to keep up with keeping them clean. The location is very convenient to Townsend and we rode bikes out to explore and get food in the evening. We would definitely go back just probably not on a holiday weekend.

  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Mountaineer Campground

    Pleasant Stay

    Lovely campground on the river and close to amenities. Biking, hiking, tubing, swimming. My favorite experience here has been the pavilion prayer and fellowship on Sunday mornings hosted by Charm ministry volunteers. Very casual with lots of singing and great conversation in a very positive and welcoming atmosphere. The bathrooms and showers were kept very clean as well as the laundry and pool area. The camp hosts were very helpful and work hard to keep the above clean. The campground offers a 50% discount on a 28-day stay which I took advantage of. They allowed me to stay an extra 28 days due to my dog passing away so I could wait for his remains. They were very understanding, thoughtful and gracious during this sad time for me and I am very grateful to the management and hosts for the time, space and respect they extended to me July & August.

  • A
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Triple Creek Campground

    Would recommend!

    It got only for stars because I can hear traffic from my campsite.
    I was next to a brook, under a paw paw tree. It was safe, very friendly. The bath and shower house were clean and very nice for tent camping! Laundry room, firewood delivery.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Wash Creek Dispersed Campsites #4 and #5

    Great place to stay just be aware of your surroundings

    Was a pretty nice camp site compared to a lot you just have to be aware of the people around you. Across from our campground there was another camper who seemed out of it who came up to us at 11:00pm and asked for tape for his tent. Also garbage bag and garbage on the ground at front of campsite. PEOPLE MAY NOT BE THE BEST AROUND YOU BUT THE SITES ARE GREAT!


Guide to Balsam

Camping near Balsam, North Carolina, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the numerous trails in the Great Smoky Mountains. One camper mentioned, "We did one of our hikes from our site—the Little River Trail to Cucumber Gap, and it was beautiful."
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds are near rivers and lakes, perfect for fishing. A review noted, "The lake was beautiful, and there are plenty of smallmouth bass to be claimed as well!"
  • Wildlife Viewing: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. One visitor shared, "I saw some elk that reluctantly budged from the trail," highlighting the area's rich fauna.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review from Greenbrier Campground stated, "The bathrooms are clean and there’s a dishwashing room as well."
  • Scenic Locations: Many campgrounds are set in stunning natural surroundings. A camper at Cosby Campground said, "The campground is gorgeous, and I do recommend it."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds often have activities for kids. One family at Greenbrier Campground enjoyed, "Lots for the kids to do," including playgrounds and a swimming hole.

What you should know:

  • Privacy Concerns: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A camper at Elkmont Campground mentioned, "All of the campsites are extremely close together, and there is no brush to divide them."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds offer full amenities. A review from Cosby Campground noted, "No drinking water, no electric hookups, and no showers."
  • Bear Awareness: Bears are common in the area, so be cautious. One camper at Devils Fork State Park advised, "Make sure you bring a good headband light or strong flashlight."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with activities for kids. A parent at Lake Powhatan said, "The lake beach is perfect for kids."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or snacks. One camper at Davidson River Campground mentioned, "We forgot to bring coffee, so it was great to have the coffee truck 5 mins away."
  • Pack for Comfort: Bring extra blankets and pillows for a cozy experience. A family at Mount Pisgah Campground enjoyed, "The campground is very quiet and many of the spaces were rather private."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A review from Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA noted, "The sites are close together, but it wasn't noticeable."
  • Use Online Resources: Look for campground maps and reviews before you go. A camper at Lake Powhatan said, "The bathrooms were some of the cleanest we've seen."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Services: Some campgrounds may have spotty cell service. A visitor at Mount Pisgah Campground mentioned, "Not much cell service, no electricity, no worries."

Camping around Balsam, North Carolina, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, you're sure to have a memorable experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Balsam, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, Balsam, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 661 campgrounds and RV parks near Balsam, NC and 55 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Balsam, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Balsam, NC is Smokemont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park with a 4.3-star rating from 53 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Balsam, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 55 free dispersed camping spots near Balsam, NC.

What parks are near Balsam, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 27 parks near Balsam, NC that allow camping, notably Great Smoky Mountains National Park and National Forests in North Carolina.