Terms & Conditions - Balsam Cove Campground Guest Policies
DO NOT APPROACH THE GATE without a gate pass. Arrivals should park in Registration Parking, register at the office and obtain a pass. The gate closes between vehicles. Don't Tailgate!! Windshield breakage danger! Staff can't stop the gate from closing. Day or overnight visitors will be admitted through the gate by staff after registration.
Occupancy: Campsites: 2 specific adults and up to 4 kids 17 and under included in list price.* RV campsites allow a maximum of 8 people. Tent sites include 2 adults and up to 4 kids. Occupancy is limited to 2 adults. Cabin Rentals: 2 adults and 2 children included in list price.* cabins allow up to 4 people. (full-size bed and two bunks)
*Note: bunks are crowded for adults. Bring your own linen for rentals. *Additional adults over 17 are $6 Ea. per night when booked with a reservation for the entire time, $12 Ea. when booked afterward.
Sites are issued one or two gate fobs to access the campground. Lost or misplaced gate fobs incur a $25/Ea. Charge.
Check In/Out Times: Campsite check-in is after 1:00 pm. Campsite check-out is by 11:30am. Cabin check-in is after 2:00 pm and check-out by 11:00 am. Late check-out will incur fees.
Vehicle Operation: 4 mph speed limit. YOU ARE EXPECTED TO DRIVE PAINFULLY SLOW!! Walking speed – 4 mph - or idle speed only when going downhill. Guests asked to leave for fast or careless driving will receive no refund. Other motorized vehicles are not allowed except when used by the disabled and can be used ONLY when a placard holder is aboard.
Parking: Vehicle(s) parked at your campsite must not block the road at all. Absolutely no parking in other campsites, by the boat ramp, or on the waterfront.
Waterview sites 14 through 19 and rustic cabin 17a front the playground/park and bonfire areas in a very busy area of the campground. The Waterfront Road is closed on Saturday nights from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm for bonfire festivities. No vehicles may arrive or leave during that time. PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY: Park in parking lot if returning to the campground during those times or relocate your vehicle to the parking lot ahead of time if you must leave during that period. You may not arrive to check in during that time.
Pets: Register pets at the office, pay a fee per dog. Supply current rabies and VAC certificates. Provide an on-site cell phone number. Owners must leash dogs at all times, and clean up after pets or pay a $50 fine. Pets are allowed to swim at the boat ramp. Pets are NOT allowed in the swim area. Children may NOT walk dogs they cannot control and must be willing to pick up dog poop. You may NOT leave your dogs alone in your RV for more than a short time or at a tent site for any amount of time. If you are leaving for the day, take the dogs with you or leave them in a boarding facility. Dogs showing aggression or barking that disturb neighbors will be ejected.
Children: Your children are your responsibility. No lifeguards. Children under 14 must be accompanied by a responsible adult to swim, boat, or go on docks. Children must wear life jackets on all boats arriving and departing Balsam Cove Campground. State Law is that children under 15 must wear helmets while on bicycles. After 10pm, minors must be on their own campsites or accompanied by an adult. If your children are allowed to walk your dogs, make sure they can control them and are able and willing to clean up after them or face fines.
Quiet Hours: 10:00 pm to 7:30 am. Balsam Cove is a family campground, not a party campground. Please show respect by using considerate language and appropriate behavior. Smoking is not permitted in cabins, office, arcade, or at the Pavilion.
Camp Site Guidelines: All RVs, tents, screen houses, etc., must be within campsite limits. State law forbids the discharge of greywater or sewage onto the ground. Do not drive nails into trees, cut any trees or deface nature in any way. Clotheslines must be above 6 ft. high.
Fires: Use a fire ring at the campsite and use local firewood only. Firewood is available for sale at the camp store. Do not leave fire unattended. Fires must be fully extinguished before leaving the site. Wood, living or dead, may not be cut or taken from anywhere on campground property. Do not cut roots.
Trash: $25.00 fine for leaving trash, cans, etc. in fire pits. Trash & recycling dumpsters located in parking lot. Trash must be kept inside or in a proper trashcan to not attract wildlife. No large items, mattresses, furniture, or electronics may be deposited in or left outside the dumpster.
Waterfront: No lifeguard. Swim at your own risk during daylight hours only. Absolutely no boating or water-skiing around the swim area. Fishing (license required) is allowed only from dock by boat ramp. Do NOT fish in swim area! Keep lines and hooks away from people, boats, and pets. Motorized boats may not be beached or tied up anywhere along the shoreline for any period of time.
Fireworks, Firearms, or other Weapons are not allowed at Balsam Cove Campground.
Internet: Wi-Fi is free, but internet service is not guaranteed. Balsam Cove's access is rural phone line only and is poor to fair at best. You may be able to get better service by using a cell hotspot.
Visitors: Registered guests may invite a limited number of visitors. Visitors must register at the office, pay a $6 visitor fee (per day), or a $12* visitor fee (overnight) *plus lodging tax. They must provide their vehicle information and park in the main lot across from the office if their vehicle does not fit completely on the site they are visiting. Day visitors must check out by 9:00 pm. Do not share your gate card, use your card to admit unregistered visitors, or transport them onto the campground. When caught, they will have to leave, and you may be asked to leave also.
Enforcement: Guests who are ejected after violating Balsam Cove's Guest Policies will receive no refunds. Guests or visitors who have disturbed the peace & enjoyment of other campers may be ejected without warning. The sheriff will escort uncooperative violators from the campground.
Insurance and Liability: Fees are based upon the Guest assuming full liability and responsibility for maintaining insurance upon and securing their own unit and personal property located on the premises. Guest agrees that Balsam Cove or its agents are not liable for loss or damage from any cause whatsoever, such as, but not limited to, damage caused by falling trees, limbs, or by variation or interruption of electrical service or utilities. Surge protectors are recommended.
Injury: In no event shall Balsam Cove be responsible for personal injury to guests, their children, or their visitors while upon the premises of the campground, or for damages caused by vandalism, theft, or loss of a Guest's property.
Other Policies: Refunds are not issued when guests are asked to leave or expelled for violating quiet time or other policies. Please notice signage, follow instructions and comply with terms and agreements.
Refunds for leaving early due to weather, disagreements with Mother Nature, or any other reason: Camping is an outdoor experience. No refunds or credits are provided due to weather or the discomforts of natural settings. Shortened stays or late arrivals receive no refunds.
Cancellation and Refunds: No refunds or credit will be given for no-shows, late arrivals, or early departures. For cancellation of reservations of 15 days or less: Cancellations within 3 days of arrival receive no refund, Cancellations 4-10 days before arrival are charged one night's stay, Cancellations 11 days+ are charged a fee of 10% of the first 7 days of reservation or can elect to receive full credit toward a future stay. For reservations longer than 15 days, contact the office.
Exceptions: Balsam Cove Campground reserves the right to alter or waive certain rules or requirements at their sole discretion.