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Cool, secluded, traditional camping is the style here. The peace and quiet of the outdoors is enhanced by the tranquil sounds of the stream behind your campsite, deck, or weather shelter. We offer a variety of campsites and rental cabins to accommodate all types of campers, from the rustic adventurers to the relaxing escapists.
Our campground offers a great deal of amenities such as immaculate restrooms, a country store, cable TV, and Limited WIFI, to make your stay more comfortable.
Enjoy activities such as relaxing in the cool and crisp climate, seasonal wildflower & bird watching, lawn games, cookouts, sitting around the campfire roasting marshmallows, and stream fishing. As well as hiking trails and waterfalls.
We are an excellent base camp to see all the local attractions the "Smokies" have to offer. Nearby find river rafting, tubing, gem mining, golf, trout fishing, and antique and craft shopping. We are an easy drive to Asheville, Cherokee, Franklin, or Maggie Valley and are only 2 1/2 miles to the entrance of the Blue Ridge Parkway!
IMPORTANT! DO NOT USE GPS, Google Maps, MapQuest, etc. they will bring you down an old logging road not the asphalt entrance. Please use the directions below from either Waynesville or Sylva. The Campground is just 7 miles south of Waynesville and 8 miles north of Sylva, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Jackson County, North Carolina.
From Waynesville:
Stay on US 23S/ US 74W
Go Past Exit 98
Go Past Rest Area on the Right (3.3 miles past Exit 98)
Go Past Entrance to Blue Ridge Parkway on the Right (4.5 miles past Exit 98)
IMMEDIATELY GET IN THE LEFT LANE!
.5 Miles Go Left on Candlestick Lane (Just past Mile Marker 93.7)
Take the first Right only 322 ft. on to Old Balsam Depot Road at the Moonshine Creek Bill Board
Go up a hill, over the RR tracks, pass the Post Office on the Left, Follow the RR tracks .3 miles
AT THE FORK IN THE ROAD STAY TO THE RIGHT!
Cross the RR tracks a 2nd time on to Old Balsam Depot Road
The Balsam Mountain Inn will be on your Left
Stay on this Road 1.5 miles it will turn into Dark Ridge Road, the Campground will be on the left.
From Sylva:
Note: If coming 441 from Franklin when you get to Dillsboro stay straight. Do not go right and through Dillsboro to get to Sylva. Go straight through the light and up the hill, follow the signs for US 23N/ US 74E
Stay on US 23N/ US 74E
Go approximately 8.5 miles (Just past Mile Marker 93)
Look for Green Balsam Highway sign on the right.
Take the next right on to Candlestick Lane
Take the first Right only 322 ft. on to Old Balsam Depot Road at the Moonshine Creek Bill Board
Go up a hill, over the RR Tracks, pass the Post Office on the Left, Follow the RR tracks .3 miles
AT THE FORK IN THE ROAD STAY TO THE RIGHT!
Cross the RR tracks a 2nd time on to Old Balsam Depot Road
The Balsam Mountain Inn will be on your Left
Stay on this Road 1.5 miles it will turn into Dark Ridge Road, the Campground will be on the left.
From Blue Ridge Parkway:
Just Past Mile Marker #443 get off Parkway at Balsam or at US 23/ US 74
Go Right on US 23/US 74 and immediately get into the left hand lane.
.5 Miles Go Left on Candlestick Lane (Just past Mile Marker 93.7)
Follow Directions from above from Candlestick Lane.
Physical Address:
2486 Dark Ridge Road
Sylva,NC 28779
It sucks that I need to post a negative review, but future campers beware. Not ethical at all. I'm 71 years old and last week I made reservations with Jim for Aug. 18 - 20. I paid $69.00 by credit card. Jim was wonderful to work with on the phone. THEN.... things changed. Today, a week before my arrival date, my fishing buddy hurt his knee and needed immediate surgery. That meant canceling our reservation. I contacted Moonshine Creek. I told them I did not want my $69.00 back, but could they please apply it to my 2024 fishing trip. Sound reasonable? Absolutely. My friends knee would not be healed completely until 2024. Instead of doing the decent thing, wonderful (I thought) Moonshine Creek said, nope. We will not apply it to next year, nor would they refund my credit card, which I didn't want anyway.
For those thinking about giving this place your hard earned money, reread what I just wrote. Decent management, huh? What harm would it have done to credit my deposit. I hope lots of people read this. I make no apologies. Emergencies should mean something. .
Absolutely perfect!! Nothing I would change! The cabins are adorable and completely sufficient. The staff are all friendly. The owners, Jim and Dana are incredible! Hands down the best place to get away and recharge! LOVE!
I was hiking the MST and stopped here. I stayed in a small cabin with power and a heater. All the facilities are clean and in good order. When I returned to the trail the owner himself gave me a ride back to the trail, something to drink, and a quick tour of this awesome campground. For MST hikers on foot this is a great stop.
If you’re looking for the MOST peaceful, quaint, stunningly beautiful campground with cabins, hookups, amenities and the surroundings of the majestic smokies, this is your place. We just got back from a 4 night stay in the cabin. The owners take such incredible pride in their grounds, facilities and cabins. Pictures don’t even do it justice, but here are a few. You MUST make your way to Moonshine Creek Trail. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Very nice and well managed campground. The problem was the noise from the lawn maintenance. Started about 8 am. Lasted for several hours. So much for peace and tranquility. I understand that maintenance needs done. However , this was going on too long. Was tent camping, so especially noisy.
