Best Glamping near Balsam, NC

Cherokee-Great Smokies KOA and Moonshine Creek Campground offer upscale glamping accommodations near Balsam, North Carolina, with luxury canvas tents, yurts, and premium glamping units. These accommodations feature comfortable beds with linens, electricity, and climate control options for year-round comfort. Located along mountain creeks with scenic views, these glamping resorts combine natural settings with modern conveniences including private bathrooms, picnic tables, and fire pits. One visitor noted, "The camp office had racquets and volleyballs to use. The creek was nice for the kids to play in." Both campgrounds maintain excellent bathroom facilities with hot showers, and several sites offer direct creek access where guests can listen to the soothing sounds of running water from their accommodations.

The Blue Ridge Parkway provides convenient access to these glamping destinations, with several locations offering safari tents and glamping yurts within minutes of parkway entrances. Nearby attractions include Waterrock Knob for hiking and mountain views, the Tuckasegee River for tubing adventures, and downtown Sylva for shopping and dining options. According to a camper, "Plenty to do in this area, camping, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, rafting or kayaking and it's not far from skiing in the winter." Most glamping sites maintain on-site markets with essential supplies and firewood, while some offer additional amenities like volleyball courts, badminton equipment, and creekside relaxation areas with benches placed directly in the water. Many glamping accommodations remain open from spring through fall, though select resorts like Cherokee-Great Smokies KOA provide year-round glamping options with enhanced wintertime amenities.

Best Glamping Sites Near Balsam, North Carolina (98)

    1. Moonshine Creek Campground

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

    "Nice laundry facilities. Especially nice are the tent sites. They seem to have some of the most scenic spots. The Sanctuary area is awesome and the tent sites are right on the creek."

    "We will definitely be back now that we have our A-frame camper. The campground is beautiful with a mountain stream flowing through the entire campground. Immaculate bathhouses and wonderful owners."

    2. 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."

    "Campground: Indian Creek Overall: This is a very nice, small, quiet commercial campground way off of the beaten path."

    3. Cherokee-Great Smokies KOA

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

    "The heat did struggle to keep it warm but they had just gone through a pretty severe winter storm. They did provide us with extra linens which helped. The manager on duty, Tonya, was great."

    "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.  "

    4. Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina

    63 Reviews
    Enka, NC
    26 miles
    +1 (828) 552-8040

    $37 - $135 / night

    "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"

    "Also really needed the quick swil in the lake in the evening."

    5. Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    124 Reviews
    Gatlinburg, TN
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 430-5560

    $30 / night

    "The only bad part was the non quiet hours- so It was loud at night. But the campsites are far apart, easy walking distance to bathrooms."

    "There are no hook ups for electric and sewer here, nor are their showers."

    6. Greenbrier Campground

    70 Reviews
    Gatlinburg, TN
    29 miles
    Website

    $35 - $258 / night

    "Our oldest rented a bell tent, and when I say they are the cutest camping spot, I am not exaggerating. The bell tents sit on the river and away from all the RV sites."

    "We stayed 3 nights in the Baby Bear bell tent with our small children and it was perfect. We ended up arriving later than expected and the hosts were wonderful. Very nice and helpful our whole stay."

    7. Asheville West KOA

    24 Reviews
    Candler, NC
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 665-7015

    "Loved pet run area. Nature walk is good for stretching legs. My site B19 was close to neighbors but felt private between campers. Quiet hours respected. Very friendly staff."

    "Friendly staff, they grind their own coffee, pretty grounds, very clean bathrooms and private showers. They had lots of activities scheduled for the kids."

    8. Pride RV Resort

    6 Reviews
    Lake Junaluska, NC
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 926-1645

    "Relax in chairs by the fire pit next to the stream. Nice dog area. Laundry area is clean. Park is clean. Staff is friendly. Couldn’t ask for a better place to stay."

    "It also has cabins and other accommodations for those who do not want to camp outside.  The bath house is modern with tile floors, and the showers are more spacious than some I have seen."

    9. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort Yogi Bear in the Smokies

    8 Reviews
    Cherokee, NC
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 929-3791

    "Staff is wonderful. You go long enough and they feel like family. Most highly recommended in western north Carolina. We love this place."

    "we were on sites 12,13 and it was great!!! kids have a blast, we were right on the river and hiked to Mingo falls. bathrooms were not the cleanest I have seen. but not the worst."

    10. Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    9 Reviews
    Canton, NC
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 235-8350

    $15 - $50 / night

    "Me and my party of 6 stumbled upon this Gem after we had made reservations at another site that was extremely sketchy on Labor Day weekend so we called around and heard BRMC had some space."

    "We arrived on a Friday and they had pizzas, soft drinks, coffee and some other foods available for purchase (I think most items were $1-$2) Breakfast was also available the next morning, everything from"

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Glamping Reviews near Balsam, NC

1128 Reviews of 98 Balsam Campgrounds


  • R
    Sep. 28, 2021

    Moonshine Creek Campground

    Top Notch

    This is an excellent campground! It’s really woodsy and the creek is fabulous. Nice laundry facilities. Especially nice are the tent sites. They seem to have some of the most scenic spots. The Sanctuary area is awesome and the tent sites are right on the creek. It is for those with no pets or kids and is limited to 2 people per site. It’s a quiet zone. There is one tent cabin and 4 tent sites with water and electric. You CAN park at your sites. We weren’t sure before if it was a walk in area. The bathhouse for this area has two toilets and two showers.Each is completely private. There are outlets and sinks in all four. There is also a very nice sink and counter on the end for dishwashing. It’s all in excellent condition. Very nice picnic tables too. They were easy to wipe off. Sites S1-3 have an awning/ shelter. S4 does not but is much larger. S4 is higher up so you look down on the creek. It is more off by itself. S1 even has access to a 2nd picnic table close to the creek. It is the smallest as far as tent space. We would love to visit again!

  • Ashley M.
    Sep. 17, 2019

    Moonshine Creek Campground

    Beautiful Campground

    My husband and I stayed here for my birthday in one of the camping cabins. We will definitely be back now that we have our A-frame camper. The campground is beautiful with a mountain stream flowing through the entire campground. Immaculate bathhouses and wonderful owners. Great store onsite and lots to do in the surrounding area.

  • Nate H.
    Sep. 30, 2020

    Camp LeConte Luxury Outdoor Resort

    Vintage campers!

    Camp Leconte Luxury Resort is located in Gatlinburg near the Greenbriar area of the Smokies. It’s a fairly small campground right on the Parkway. It’s close to town, but far enough away to avoid traffic. The campground has nice, paved spots for rv’s. It has glamping tent cabins, as well as vintage campers. There is a camp store, but the campground is not far from a grocery store and liquor store. There’s a trolley stop nearby also, so if you’d like To go to the strip, you can take the trolley and not worry about parking. There’s a nice pool and playground. Very clean campground.

  • S
    Oct. 16, 2016

    Moonshine Creek Campground

    Moonshine Creek Campground

    Owners are very friendly. Our tent campsite was very secluded, included a fire pit, picnic table, over looking deck, running water and electric. Loved hearing the running creek from our tent site. Very clean bathrooms. Highly recommended!

  • Erin D.
    Aug. 8, 2019

    Indian Creek Campground

    Creekside Camping

    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 bathhouse is the cleanest I have found and the campsite store carries all of your forgotten necessities, and more!

    My husband and I love coming back to this campground, because how of well we and our kids sleep! The sound of the creek at night melts all of your worries away and takes you off to peaceful slumber.

    This campground is always in rotation for a visit.

  • Katie K.
    Sep. 11, 2020

    Townsend-Great Smokies KOA

    Perfect spot outside the smoky mountain national park

    My family and I have been camping at this campground for over 25 years now. When we first started going here it was a small family owned business and it has certainly changed since KOA took over but I think they’re all positive, just less of the charm. The sites along the river are by far the best, and the cost is reflective of that. They upgraded the bathhouse to be climate controlled recently... the best upgrade!!! The location is superb, right outside cades cove and a five min drive from put in for tubing down the river and one of the few places you can simply tune to without having to pay a service to shuttle you one way or the other. The staff is amazing. Definitely a must stop!

  • Sarah R.
    Jun. 21, 2021

    Greenbrier Campground

    Amazing location in the Smokies

    We stayed for a week on an RV back in site. The sites can be soemwhat close together, but with this mostly just being home base, we didn’t find it to be a problem. Our oldest rented a bell tent, and when I say they are the cutest camping spot, I am not exaggerating. The bell tents sit on the river and away from all the RV sites. They even include 2 full size beds and lamps/nightstands. The entire grounds is surrounded by a river that has a swimming hole and can be traversed in a tube. The playground is large and our son was there multiple times a day. They have a movie in the park each Friday and offer church services on Sundays. The trolley runs through the grounds and into downtown gatlinburg, but takes about 30 minutes to get to town. The bathrooms/showers are all private stalls and pretty well maintained. We will definitely be visiting again in the future.

  • Kristen B.
    Nov. 20, 2021

    Greenbrier Campground

    Great river front location close to the NP

    We stayed 3 nights in the Baby Bear bell tent with our small children and it was perfect. We ended up arriving later than expected and the hosts were wonderful. Very nice and helpful our whole stay. The river front bell tents are where it’s at! You’re a few steps from a small babbling creek. The kids loved wading and catching minnows. Even when it rained, the tent was comfortable and roomy. I can’t say enough great things about how clean the bath and shower houses are! Close enough to Gatlinburg and the National Park entrances, yet far from the crazy crowds. Would definitely return here.

  • Karen D.
    Jan. 22, 2019

    Camp LeConte Luxury Outdoor Resort

    Love Love Love this Campground

    We have been camping here for Thanksgiving for years. It is a family owned campground.

    The bathhouse is the cleanest one I have ever seen and used. The fire pits are clean when you check in. They are right on the Trolley Route, just simply walk to the road and the Trolley will stop and pick you up.

    They have Safari Tents, Tent Sites, Tree Houses, Retro Campers, Pull Thru and Back up Sites that will hold the largest of RV's. The RV sites have fire pits, grills, and a grass area that is always mowed.

    They have a swimming pool and outdoor activity center. They have special activities going on at different times to keep the little ones entertained.


Guide to Balsam

Camping near Balsam, North Carolina centers around the Blue Ridge Mountains at elevations ranging from 3,000-5,000 feet. The area's unique microclimate creates cool summer nights with temperatures dropping into the 50s even during July and August. Many local campgrounds operate seasonally from April through October due to winter weather conditions at these higher elevations.

What to do

Hiking to Mingo Falls: 0.4 miles away from Cherokee. This short but rewarding hike is accessible from Indian Creek Campground. "Town of Cherokee, Mingo Falls (a short 0.44 mile round trip hike up 161 stairs, then a relatively level trail to the base of a beautiful waterfall," according to Steve G., who adds that it's perfect for campers seeking a quick adventure.

Mountain biking on nearby trails: 5-10 miles from campsites. Several trails suitable for mountain biking can be found near Lake Powhatan Campground. As one visitor noted, "Lots of nearby trash. The ones I walked were just wooded trash, nothing special, but nearby there were lots of people parked at the heads of several trails." The campground provides convenient access to multiple skill levels.

Tubing adventures: 15 minutes away. Smokey Mountain Tubing in Cherokee offers affordable tubing experiences. "Go tubing at Smokey Mountain Tubing in Cherokee while you're there," recommends Jill R., who enjoyed this activity during her stay at Indian Creek Campground.

What campers like

Riverside sites: 90% of top-rated spots. Greenbrier Campground offers premium waterfront camping. "This was a great little campground. It's just a very short drive to Gatlinburg and the Sugarlands Visitor Center of GSM National Park. The campground offers full hookups, PRIVATE bathrooms with great showers, ice and firewood sales, shuttle to downtown, and waterfront sites," explains Erica F., highlighting the combination of natural setting and conveniences.

Clean, private bathroom facilities: Updated regularly. Many campers specifically praise bathroom cleanliness. As Jennifer L. notes about Cherokee-Great Smokies KOA: "The restrooms are clean, the showers are hot, and the camp store is well-stocked. The location is central to many recreational opportunities."

Creek sounds for sleeping: Natural white noise. The sound of flowing water enhances the camping experience. "The campground is beautiful with a mountain stream flowing through the entire campground. Immaculate bathhouses and wonderful owners," shares Ashley M. about Moonshine Creek Campground, emphasizing how the water creates a peaceful soundtrack for campers.

What you should know

Winter closures: Most campgrounds close October-April. Plan accordingly as glamping close to Balsam, North Carolina typically operates seasonally. "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," reports Heather C. about her early-season stay at Lake Powhatan.

Cell service limitations: Spotty coverage in mountain areas. Don't count on reliable connectivity. "There was no internet, the TV sporadically worked with a few channels, and we had intermittent cell service with only 1 bar," explains Lila J. about her experience at Moonshine Creek Campground.

Insect preparation: No-see-ums present after rain. "I was bitten by no-see-ums over both legs and arms and so were the other campers," warns Lila J., contradicting information provided by campground staff at Moonshine Creek about insects at higher elevations.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly water activities: Safe creek access points. Elkmont Campground provides gentle creek access perfect for children. "Camper along the river and it was amazing. Great hiking opportunities and close to Gatlinburg if you run out of supplies," shares Charlotte B., highlighting how families can combine outdoor play with convenient access to necessities.

Game equipment available: Borrow from camp offices. Some campgrounds loan recreational equipment to guests. "The camp office had racquets and volleyballs to use," reports one visitor about their experience at a local campground, allowing families to travel lighter.

Halloween camping events: Special October activities. Many campgrounds offer themed activities during fall. "We always stay around Halloween. They have the best activities for kids. Costume contest, trick-or-treating and pumpkin decorating is one of our favorites," shares Lisa L. about Yogi in the Smokies, making autumn an ideal time for family glamping near Balsam.

Tips from RVers

Site selection considerations: Proximity to roads affects noise. When glamping in luxury accommodations near Balsam, noise can be an issue at some locations. "The only reason for the four star rating is due to the highway noise from I-40, which is located adjacent to the campground. Otherwise, the campground is very well-kept with friendly staff and our site (deluxe pull-through with patio) was large and mostly level," notes Crystal C. about Asheville West KOA.

Parking strategies for narrower sites: Arrive early for better positioning. Some campgrounds have challenging sites. "The sites in a straight line are close, the ones in the curve have more room," advises Shelly S. about Asheville West KOA, suggesting which specific sites to request when making reservations.

Year-round amenities: Off-season benefits. Some luxury glamping options operate year-round. "We stayed here over Christmas time in a 20' travel trailer. Very clean with heated bathrooms washing machines and other amenities. The sound of the rushing river is a plus," explains Larry M. about his winter stay at Greenbrier Campground, highlighting that off-season glamping has unique advantages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Balsam, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Balsam, NC is Moonshine Creek Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 21 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Balsam, NC?

TheDyrt.com has all 98 glamping camping locations near Balsam, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.