Balsam Mountain - Great Smoky Mountains campground
Balsam Mountain - Great Smoky Mountains
Reservations are required at Balsam Mountain campground, and it is advisable to make them well in advance, especially during peak seasons. The campground typically opens in early May and closes in late October, offering campers the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the Smoky Mountains during the spring, summer, and fall.
Visiting during the summer months allows campers to enjoy pleasant weather and lush greenery, while the fall season brings stunning foliage. However, it is important to note that the campground is at a higher elevation, which means that temperatures can be cooler than in the surrounding areas, so appropriate clothing is recommended.
In terms of specific items of interest, Balsam Mountain campground is known for its excellent hiking trails that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. There are also opportunities for wildlife sightings, so campers should be cautious and respectful of the local wildlife. It is advised to store food properly to avoid attracting animals to the campsite. Overall, Balsam Mountain campground is an ideal destination for nature lovers seeking a serene and scenic camping experience in the Great Smoky Mountains.
What's on-site at Balsam Mountain - Great Smoky Mountains
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Balsam Mountain - Great Smoky Mountains, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balsam Mountain Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| #42 Spruce Mountain | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| #41 Caldwell Fork | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| 41 | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| 40 | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Balsam Mountain - Great Smoky Mountains -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cataloochee Creek Near Cataloochee | 253 cfs | → |
| Pigeon River Near Hepco | 1,540 cfs | → |
| Oconaluftee River At Birdtown | 954 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Barker's Creek | 1,170 cfs | → |
| Pigeon R Bl Power Plant Nr Waterville | 2,190 cfs | → |
| W Fk Pigeon R At Bethel | 446 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Balsam Mountain - Great Smoky Mountains -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Found Gap | 7.1 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Bryson City 4 | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Gatlinburg | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Brevard | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Dillard 0.7 Nnw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Barnardsville 2 Se | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Cold Mountain Game Land
- Swain County Park
- Wilderness Middle Prong
- Wilderness Shining Rock
- Needmore Game Land
- Sevierville City Park
Boat launches
- North Lakeshore Drive 103, Haywood County
- Church Street Jackson County
- Great Smoky Mountains Expressway 5453, Jackson County
Fishing spots
Points of interest
- Heintooga Overlook
- Maple Tree Overlook
- Foggy View Overlook
- Black Camp Gap Overlook
- Brushy Gap Overlook
- Horse Trough Overlook
Paddle runs
- Yellowstone Prong From Headwaters To Confluence With East Fork And Yellowstone Prong
- East Fork From Us Highway 276 To Confluence Of Dark Prong And Yellowstone Prong
- Dark Prong From Headwaters To Confluence East Fork And Yellowstone Prong
- Natahala Powerhouse To Lake Fontana (River Mile 4)
- South Fork From Confluence With Pigeon Br To Nf Boundary
- North Fork From Bottom Of Spillway Of Hendersonville Reservoir To Confluence With South Fork
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Balsam Mountain - Great Smoky Mountains as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Balsam Mountain - Great Smoky Mountains
Can I make reservations at Balsam Mountain - Great Smoky Mountains?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Balsam Mountain - Great Smoky Mountains?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Balsam Mountain - Great Smoky Mountains.