Campgrounds in the Balsam Grove area of North Carolina provide access to mountain forest camping in the Pisgah National Forest region. Davidson River Campground, located near Pisgah Forest, offers tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations with most sites available from March to November. Lake Powhatan and North Mills River campgrounds provide additional developed camping options within reasonable driving distance, featuring varying levels of amenities including electric hookups, water access, and sanitary facilities. The surrounding national forest lands contain both established sites and more remote camping areas.
Seasonal considerations affect site availability throughout the region, with most developed campgrounds operating from spring through fall. Davidson River Campground typically operates from March 15 to November 1, while Mount Pisgah Campground has a shorter season from May to late October. A camper noted, "Western North Carolina is hard to beat for natural beauty. The campground is rarely full these days which surprises me since we could never get in when I was a kid." Roads through this mountainous terrain can be challenging, with several campgrounds requiring travel on twisty, hilly roads through residential areas or forest service routes. Cell service varies significantly by location, with some areas providing limited to no connectivity.
The region's campgrounds feature access to creeks, rivers, and lakes as notable highlights. Many sites are positioned near waterways, with Davidson River offering creekside camping that campers particularly value. According to reviews, "The sites are plenty big, a little tight to back into, but not a big deal. There is no cell service but this is also a great opportunity to disconnect." Tent campers often find well-drained gravel tent pads at established sites, though some reviews mention these make staking tents more challenging. Privacy between campsites varies significantly, with some campgrounds like Lake Powhatan featuring vegetative screening between sites, while others have more open layouts. Most developed campgrounds in the area maintain clean restroom facilities, though shower availability is limited at some locations.
$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."
$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’."
"Pisgah National Forest on the outskirts of Asheville, NC is a must stop for all ages."
"The alternatives #5 and #6 were close to the entrance and therefore exposed to the road, and #49 was next to the restrooms, but similar to #60, so stayed with #60."
"One drawback is that from the campground there is no easy access to the lake- you can either drive and park (and hope to find parking) or walk on a busy road . "
"We had reserved a walk-in tent sight and absoulty loved it."
"This hidden gem is a few miles off a major highway but well worth the journey. I would consider it among my top ten 'near a lake' spots in the entire US."
$37 - $135 / night
"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."
"PROS Discounted camp fee with senior pass
Reserved 169 days prior to arriving
Friendly and helpful gate attendant
Nearly 100% shade at each site
Excellent dark sky viewing
Private sites with"
$20 / night
"We fished right next to our camp site and then relaxed with a camp fire listening to the sound of the River."
"We were looking for a place that was wooded and near a river or stream and lucked up at Lazy J. The staff answered our call right away and were both friendly and informative."
$31 - $62 / night
"Small campground, but there are free off road sites not too far down the road. Cell service disappears but I love that kind of disconnect."
"State stocked river is close by for trout fishing, and the bathrooms are always clean being for what they are."
$32 - $71 / night
"**
The location is incredible!""A little close to neighbors but not too bad. Some sites in Riverbend offer more privacy. Can’t beat location, mountain bike trails easily rideable from campground."
"The cabins have electricity, but the water pump is outside and the bathrooms and showers are communal (but clean). There is a full size bed and two bunk beds in each one."
"Very clean,natural, beautiful trees , and a nice location. It is run by a very nice family. We were close to amazing waterfalls and hikes in DuPont forest."
$27 - $75 / night
"This is one of North Carolina’s best waterfall parks. Rainbow Falls, Turtel Back Falls and Bust your Ass Falls."
"There are six designated backpack sites along the Foothills Trail near the southern boundary of the park."
ScoutAs always its the best . The people are not only awesome but very helpful and understanding. All very kind and just a joy to be around . Facilities are perfect and everything is better than I can hope each time.
ScoutThe campground sits between two interstate highways and is very noisy at times. Every thing works and we like it. We would return 👍🏼
ScoutAs with all experiences, it is how you handle the difficult ones that shows your true colors. In this case the owner had every chance to make a different choice but chose in favor of himself.
1. They have a malfunctioning 4 wheeler they use to get around the 30 plus site park. The horn on this unit went off one morning waking those in proximity. The owner offered no apology, yet acknowledge that he knew that it was faulty. This was before I realized the next problem.
2. I made the mistake of making reservations to a place that you likely don't need them without looking at the fine print. We were on our way to the campground from about 2 days away when our vehicle had a bearing go on it. I called on the Saturday that it happened saying that we would not be able to make our Sunday night reservation, but I would be there on Monday. I assumed that I would get credit for the lost night. Nope. The owner stood by his fine print and refused a refund. Even though there were only about 8 of us in the campground which means that my reservation was not required. Further it didn't make him turn anyone else away because of my reservation.
3. On the second morning, they have their garbage picked up at about 6am by a large garbage truck. Next to us.
Conclusion: Do not make reservations until you read the fine print. Pick another campground as there are so many in the area. This campground while pleasing in so many ways will forever be hindered by an owner who cares more about money than doing the right thing.
ScoutThis was our first time here. Overall not a bad state park cg but it could have been nicer. There was a lot of erosion which affected the roads(gravel)around the CG. Out site was gravel and not completely level but manageable. The restrooms on our loop were very clean and well kept. The showers lack hooks or a shelf to put your stuff on so that was a drag. The staff was very pleasant and helpful and the overall vibe was peaceful once quiet time arrived. Again, not a bad CG, I would visit it again.
TravelerWe have stayed here many times. It is a basic state park campground with two clean bathhouses. There are really no amenities other that the wonderful setting on the shores of Lake Burton. Small and quiet with good views of the lake from most sites.
Guide5G UW band and Wi-Fi available. Pool, fire pits, and camp store. A great place to camp with clean air and wonderful stars at night.
TravelerRight on the doorstep of GSMNP. Indoor and outdoor pool, lots of things for kids. Sites are well spaced and everything is clean and well maintained. Not a wilderness experience, but a great place for a family.
ScoutThis is a nice park, it does have a few blind curves that could be fixed and many of the sites aren’t level. The dump station is down this weekend, so a second dump station may be a good idea. It looks like people are having fun at the lake, and using the shelter beside it.
GuideWe really liked this campground. Sites were pretty well spread out, it was quiet, there were lots of trails to take our dogs on. We saw lots of mountain bikers, must be biking paradise too!
Camping spots near Balsam Grove, North Carolina offer access to some of the highest elevations in the region, with nearby mountains reaching over 5,000 feet. Located in Transylvania County, the area experiences cooler temperatures than surrounding lowlands, with summer highs typically in the 70s. Fall brings vibrant foliage from mid-October through early November, making it a popular season for campers.
Waterfall exploration: 15-minute drive to multiple cascades from Davidson River Campground. "Looking Glass falls are just down the round into the forest and always a treat," notes Dave V., who adds that the campground has "a well-drained gravel tent pad...which makes staking your tent out a bit of a pain, but you won't endure puddling."
Mountain biking: Trail access directly from Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina. Angel K. calls it "a mountain biker's dream! Hikers too, but really, all trails allow for bikers-single track riding. The trail system goes into an experimental forest area. Ensure to print out a map before hand, I can't begin to start to explain how many small loops, links, connector trails there are."
Fly fishing: Prime spots in the North Mills River. Shannon K. notes that at North Mills River, "There are also primitive sites up two different roads. One heads back to the reservoir for some amazing fly fishing. We've enjoyed this campground mainly for the fly-fishing. The local Trout Unlimited group has also spent many hours upgrading the walkways and fence lines to protect the river."
Swimming holes: Natural options throughout the area. Ross B. says Davidson River Campground offers "a large swimming area, so, you could swim, fish, or just put your feet in. You are also close to Brevard. You can scoot into town to grab supplies or whatever you needed to do."
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate space at Mount Pisgah Campground. According to Steven B., "Sites are decent sized and fairly private. Can get chilly since you're at higher elevation." Phillip L. adds, "This site is very quiet with a lot of privacy. When we came most of the sites were full and this was 10 in the morning."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain good bathrooms. At Lake Powhatan, Brittany S. found "incredibly clean" grounds with "the campground hosts very friendly and helpful, and the quick access to both the Blue Ridge Parkway and downtown Asheville are unbeatable." She notes that bathrooms and showers "are single use, not stalls, which I suppose could be inconvenient if there were a lot of people waiting, but it's nice to have the privacy!"
Nature immersion: Black Forest Family Camping Resort offers a natural setting. Meredith describes it as "Very clean, natural, beautiful trees, and a nice location. The sites are staggered down the hillside and gives you a sense of privacy. The bathrooms were very clean."
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Balsam Grove campground?
Campgrounds in the Balsam Grove area offer various amenities to enhance your stay. Indian Creek Campground features creekside sites that are lush with greenery, private, and well-maintained. It has clean bathhouse facilities and a campsite store stocked with necessities. Another option, The Great Outdoors RV Resort, provides well-groomed grounds with good amenities and friendly staff. Most campgrounds in the region typically offer water access, toilets, and reservable sites, with some providing RV hookups depending on the specific location.
Where is Balsam Grove campground located in NC?
Balsam Grove is located in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina, near Brevard and Rosman. The area is surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest with Davidson River Campground nearby. This region offers convenient access to the Blue Ridge Parkway and is situated between Asheville and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's a central location for exploring the natural beauty of western North Carolina, with numerous waterfalls, hiking trails, and scenic drives in the immediate vicinity.
What outdoor activities can you do near Balsam Grove, NC?
Balsam Grove offers abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. Nearby Lake Powhatan features numerous hiking trails either on the grounds or just outside, perfect for day hikes. The area is known for stunning waterfalls, with Gorges State Park offering excellent waterfall viewing opportunities. Fishing is popular in the numerous streams and rivers. Mountain biking trails crisscross the region, particularly in Pisgah National Forest. The Blue Ridge Parkway provides scenic drives with spectacular overlooks. Swimming, kayaking, and tubing are available in warmer months, making Balsam Grove an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts.
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