Backbone Rock Campground

Very small campground with really nice level sites. Very close to highway, but that was okay. No showers, but water in restrooms sinks was warm, so able to do some basic wash up. This is bear country, with warnings to keep food safely stored. However, the “bear proof” trash cans had no real mechanism for keeping the bears out. The campground is very close to Damascus and the Virginia Creeper and Appalachian trails. We had intended to bike, but due to rain and other factors, we hiked instead. We would stay here again.

I have been going to Backbone Rock since the late 1980’s. The park used to be well maintained. But the past few years they have let it go to seed. The trail isn’t maintained, the rails have fallen, weeds are taking over, the large pavilion had trash in the fireplace, and one of the beams holding the pavilion up has rotted out and has rocks shoved under the bottom to hold it in place. Even the campground isn’t being maintained as it should be. Lack of funding? I don’t know, why, I just hate to see it so run down.

I have been going to Backbone Rock since the late 1980’s. The park used to be well maintained. But the past few years they have let it go to seed. The trail isn’t maintained, the rails have fallen, weeds are taking over, the large pavilion had trash in the fireplace, and one of the beams holding the pavilion up has rotted out and has rocks shoved under the bottom to hold it in place. Even the campground isn’t being maintained as it should be. Lack of funding? I don’t know, why, I just hate to see it so run down.

Camped here 2 nights only 1 other camper the first night and nobody the 2nd night. Beautiful spot with creek running behind campsites. Definitely go into Damascus and do the Creeper Trail bike trail. Awesome 17 miles downhill. If hungry eat at Damascus Diner, great food. Take the hike to top of Backbone Rock Tunnel. Steps are steep and slick if wet but awesome view on top of tunnel.

Camped here 2 nights only 1 other camper the first night and nobody the 2nd night. Beautiful spot with creek running behind campsites. Definitely go into Damascus and do the Creeper Trail bike trail. Awesome 17 miles downhill. If hungry eat at Damascus Diner, great food. Take the hike to top of Backbone Rock Tunnel. Steps are steep and slick if wet but awesome view on top of tunnel.

Really clean and spacious sites. There were also two really good swimming holes so bring the swimsuits! Only draw backs are that the campground is next to the highway (which is quiet at night, so not too bad) and the sites open up to the camp road, so not great privacy, but that’s okay. Probably the cleanest bathrooms I’ve seen at a recreation.gov campground. Really liked this campground would come again, sites 1-5 on the river are the sites ones to get

Really clean and spacious sites. There were also two really good swimming holes so bring the swimsuits! Only draw backs are that the campground is next to the highway (which is quiet at night, so not too bad) and the sites open up to the camp road, so not great privacy, but that’s okay. Probably the cleanest bathrooms I’ve seen at a recreation.gov campground. Really liked this campground would come again, sites 1-5 on the river are the sites ones to get

Campsite was large, facilities were clean, and I loved being next to the river where my kids could play. Unfortunately it is located right next to a busy road and the cars kept me up most of the night.

Campsite was large, facilities were clean, and I loved being next to the river where my kids could play. Unfortunately it is located right next to a busy road and the cars kept me up most of the night.

Really nice little campground, close to Damascus Virginia and the Virginia Creeper.