5
Great Smoky Mountains National Park › North Carolina
› Swain County
› Balsam Mountain Campground
› Campsite #5
Campsite #5 at Balsam Mountain Campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC
$30
Campsite #5
| Drive-In | 6 people |
| 20 ft | Parallel |
| 1 | poor |
6/3
6/8
Campsite #5 Features: Drive-In access, Parallel parking, 20ft driveway, Fire ring, Picnic Table, RV Site, Tent Site, Trailer Site, Pets Allowed
Campsite Reviews (6)
5.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 50% |
| 4 star | | 17% |
| 3 star | | 0% |
| 2 star | | 33% |
| 1 star | | 0% |
@TimB5907913 · Camped on Jul 8, 2023 at Campsite #5
About as far from the crowds in Gatlinburg as you can get. A very beautiful campground that is one of the cleanest I've been in. Mild temperatures even in July. I do wish the campsite photos were up to date because #5 looked very shady on the site photos but those trees have been gone for some time. It is about a 30 minute drive from the main park road but we got used to it. We had our 9 and 11 year old sons with us and after hiking in the morning we would float in the numerous creeks in and around the park in the afternoon. Pro tip, bring your own inner tubes if you have space. The camp hosts (Don and Pamela) were very friendly and organized. They had to leave for a few days while we were there but the friendly National Parks Site Manager (S. Larsen) was a wealth of information and was able to recommend some great hikes in the area, the Flat Rock Trail has an amazing sunset overlook. I would 100% stay here again.
@Zacharias3DF5F · Camped on Jun 19, 2023 at Campsite #5
We loved staying at this campsite. The staff was friendly, the bathrooms were the cleanest we’ve ever experienced, and the views were phenomenal!
@ReneW364C3AC4A · Camped on Jun 2, 2023 at Campsite #5
We had always enjoyed coming to front country camp at Balsam Mountain campground, but we didn't know we needed to start bringing a weed eater with us. The prices have doubled, but the upkeep has gone downhill, not to mention the nonexistent staff. What are we paying for?
@DianeB665 · Camped on Jul 5, 2021 at Campsite #5
This campground has typically been primitive. Tenters have always made up the vast majority of sites. NO more, it looked more like KOA. The loop road was congested by RVs and popups. Having camped here over a 20 year period this was the worst. Don't plan on returning.
@LeslieO488 · Camped on Jun 19, 2021 at Campsite #5
The Balsam Mountain Campground area was wonderful and had plenty to see as far as wildlife and mountain vistas, and the immediate area was not overrun with people. We saw elk every day, plus a few scattered bear sightings. But everywhere else that we traveled within the park was extremely crowded: long lines of traffic, parking lots that were overflowing, crowded hiking paths. When trying to see all the sights within the park you must be very patient and tolerant of the scads and scads of tourists.
@ChadT443 · Camped on Sep 28, 2020 at Campsite #5
A lovely campground with lots of options for tent and RV camping. This is one of the highest elevation campgrounds in the park and is a must for a cool nights sleep during the summer. Beautiful overlooks on the way to the campground and a very nice camp host made for an exceptional visit! Newfound Gap isn’t far at all and many hiking trails are nearby. A lovely campground!
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