Best Campgrounds near Balsam Grove, NC

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.

Best Camping Sites Near Balsam Grove, North Carolina (549)

    1. Davidson River Campground

    83 Reviews
    Pisgah Forest, NC
    9 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."

    2. Mount Pisgah Campground

    40 Reviews
    Mills River, NC
    14 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’."

    "Pisgah National Forest on the outskirts of Asheville, NC is a must stop for all ages."

    3. Table Rock State Park Campground

    55 Reviews
    Sunset, SC
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (864) 878-9813

    "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 . "

    4. Devils Fork State Park Campground

    52 Reviews
    Tamassee, SC
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (864) 944-2639

    "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."

    5. Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina

    62 Reviews
    Enka, NC
    22 miles
    +1 (828) 552-8040

    $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"

    6. Lazy J Campground

    12 Reviews
    Rosman, NC
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 966-3834

    $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."

    7. Pisgah National Forest Davidson River Campground

    10 Reviews
    Pisgah Forest, NC
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 577-4558

    $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."

    8. Black Forest Family Camping Resort

    18 Reviews
    Cedar Mountain, NC
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 884-2267

    "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."

    9. North Mills River

    26 Reviews
    Mills River, NC
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 552-8040

    $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."

    10. Gorges State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Lake Toxaway, NC
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 966-9099

    $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."

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Recent Reviews near Balsam Grove, NC

2639 Reviews of 549 Balsam Grove Campgrounds


  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Wilson's Riverfront RV Park

    September stay

    Grass on lots high, nice concrete spots, full hookup in good shape.

  • s
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Smoky Mountain Meadows Campground

    Worst experience ever

    Absolutely the worst advertised campground I’ve ever been to in my life. They stated it was“riverside” ummmm nooooo!!! It’s basically a big open field with absolutely no privacy or shade. Picture Woodstock. The“barely there stream of water” was covered by trees at the campsite and there was basically just a huge mound of dirt where they told us to set up. We asked for a different spot and they said they were full. We paid SIXTY SIX dollars for this tent camping experience on the river!! We asked for a refund and they refused(otherwise, I wouldn’t have left a review at all. They should have made it right.) We luckily found a beautiful spot at Deep Creek Campground otherwise we would have had to drive two hours home!!! Do.not.be.scammed.

  • K
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Black Forest Family Camping Resort

    Great campground!

    As a solo traveler that doesn’t like excessive noise or want to be near kids, I just wanted peace and quiet to relax and listen to the sounds of nature. The owner, Jeanie(hopefully I’m spelling that right) understood completely and was sure to put me in a site where she knew the surrounding sites would be empty for the entirety of my stay and she was sure not to book anyone near me. Yes, the sites are fairly close together, but I stayed during the week and was able to enjoy most of the place to myself ….or at least the area of the campground that I was in. When I extended my stay an extra night, she was sure to warn me that there was a family with kids coming that night and that they’d be in my vicinity. I couldn’t have asked for a better campground host! She had all the info on waterfalls in the area which minimized my planning time/time staring at my phone. And the fact that the place is all pea gravel really makes a difference! It rained the first couple days I was there and my tent wasn’t a muddy mess which is always a plus!

    The bathrooms and showers were clean and the camp store had just about everything you could possibly need in a pinch. Firewood and ice were priced fairly, making it very convenient if you forgot to grab either one while you were out for the day. Will definitely be back! Actually, I can’t wait to go back!

  • Allissa F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    One night stay

    Right on Little River. The view and sound was so enjoyable. The restroom is a couple minute walk away, very convenient. Zero signal for Att (for signal, take a right out of the campground heading toward Gatlinburg. There’ll be a Pulloff with a view on the left, pull in and use your phone if needed).

  • Isabelle C.
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Indian Creek Campground

    Excellent Campground

    Indian Creek Campground in Cherokee, NC is a hidden gem. Nice hosts, clean facilities in the woods. We have a 25 ft pull behind camper and sites are big enough for slide-outs. Picknick table and campfire ring was on site. We had a 30 amp full hook-up site. Campground has tent sites, RV sites, cabins, clean bathhouse and is dog friendly.

  • Casey W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Keowee-Toxaway State Park

    Great spot!

    The only reason I dinged it from five stars is because of the road noise. Other than that this place is beautiful! Great hike to a beautiful lake! Simple amenities. Great drive up tent spots surrounded by trees. Nobody else was here during the week so I had the place to myself! The rangers were incredibly helpful and friendly! I will be back!

  • Zoey W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Mountain Rest Mountain Top

    Great campsite, you guys are pansies though

    great spot, can see the stars super clearly and its pretty much just open woodland once youre there.

    you dont need 4 wheel drive or a truck like some of these people are saying, i did it fine in my honda civic, just dont have anything with worse clearance than that, and be ready to get some branch scratches which is kinda expected for wood roads

  • 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.

  • 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.


Guide to Balsam Grove

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.

What to do

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."

What campers like

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.