About Backbone Rock Campground
Number of accommodations: 10
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
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Rates, Sites & Availability
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Reviews (141)
What Guests Are Saying
Backbone Rock Campground is a well-maintained and picturesque site with only 11 campsites, offering lovely views of a creek and a quiet, secluded atmosphere. Camp host Mike is highly praised for his helpfulness and the cleanliness of the facilities, including well-kept bathrooms. While some visitors noted noise from nearby roads and a lack of amenities like showers and lights, the campground's natural beauty and proximity to Damascus make it a favorite for many.
What Guests Are Saying
Backbone Rock Campground is a well-maintained and picturesque site with only 11 campsites, offering lovely views of a creek and a quiet, secluded atmosphere. Camp host Mike is highly praised for his helpfulness and the cleanliness of the facilities, including well-kept bathrooms. While some visitors noted noise from nearby roads and a lack of amenities like showers and lights, the campground's natural beauty and proximity to Damascus make it a favorite for many.
Review Summary
Jonathan H
VerifiedOctober 17, 2020 • Stayed at: 06, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
Simple and to the point. Located just off highway that leads into Damascus VA 5minites tops. Campsite is clean and minimalistic. Very nice. Bathroom is just that. Very adequate. I'll be Bach.
Caitlin L
VerifiedOctober 5, 2020 • Stayed at: 06, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
We were very pleased with our experience! Clean bathrooms. Surprised at how quiet the campsite was on our two night stay as it's located right along the main road. Felt safe. Loved that we could hear the water from our campsite and it was so close to hiking trails and the Virginia Creeper Trail!
Caitlin L
VerifiedOctober 5, 2020 • Stayed at: 06, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
We were very pleased with our experience! Clean bathrooms. Surprised at how quiet the campsite was on our two night stay as it's located right along the main road. Felt safe. Loved that we could hear the water from our campsite and it was so close to hiking trails and the Virginia Creeper Trail!
Aaron B
VerifiedSeptember 1, 2020 • Stayed at: 03, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
This is one of our favorite primitive camping spots. Close to access to the Creeper trail. Hiking close by and a beautiful stream to enjoy right at your campsite.
Aaron B
VerifiedSeptember 1, 2020 • Stayed at: 03, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
This is one of our favorite primitive camping spots. Close to access to the Creeper trail. Hiking close by and a beautiful stream to enjoy right at your campsite.
Joyce C
VerifiedAugust 26, 2020 • Stayed at: 09, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
Site 09 Large and Beautiful. I would have rated 5 stars but restroom not cleaned the 3 nights we were there and Covid 19 is still active. Will go there again and be prepared to sanitize restroom for myself. The hiking is great and The Viriginia Creeper only 3 miles away.
Joyce C
VerifiedAugust 26, 2020 • Stayed at: 09, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
Site 09 Large and Beautiful. I would have rated 5 stars but restroom not cleaned the 3 nights we were there and Covid 19 is still active. Will go there again and be prepared to sanitize restroom for myself. The hiking is great and The Viriginia Creeper only 3 miles away.
Alex B
VerifiedAugust 23, 2020 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
Great place to “get away”, nice large campsites with fire pit and cooking grate, and picnic table. There are two water accesses (hose connections) one as you enter and one between site 9 &10. The bathrooms are clean and with flush toilets. Note there is NO cellphone service here, but There is service three miles down the road as you begin to enter Damascus. There are no electric hookups here.
Beaver dam creek border the backside of each campsite and can be a great place to Explore but be cautious, after heavy rains the creek becomes swollen and quite dangerous.
Alex B
VerifiedAugust 23, 2020 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
Great place to “get away”, nice large campsites with fire pit and cooking grate, and picnic table. There are two water accesses (hose connections) one as you enter and one between site 9 &10. The bathrooms are clean and with flush toilets. Note there is NO cellphone service here, but There is service three miles down the road as you begin to enter Damascus. There are no electric hookups here.
Beaver dam creek border the backside of each campsite and can be a great place to Explore but be cautious, after heavy rains the creek becomes swollen and quite dangerous.
Leah B
VerifiedAugust 15, 2020 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
This is a great campground close to hiking and Damascus VA. In 2019, the restrooms were immaculate! Campground hosts helpful. Campsites clean. In June 2020, the host was not at the campground for over 36 hours and left no note. My site's reservation was blank and when I finally saw the host and asked he still never put the reservation up NOR did he follow the COVID cleaning protocol in the restrooms. I will still return because it is a great area.
Location Backbone Rock Campground
Address:
9941 Hwy 133
Shady Valley, TN, 37688
United States
Highway TN 133 north from Highway 91. The campsite is on Highway 133, just north of Backbone Rock.
Access to Backbone Rock Campground is via Highway TN 133, which connects to Highway 91. No major highways or interstates are within 25 miles.
Latitude & Longitude: 36.5939 / -81.815
Elevation: 682 feet
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
Check in time
2PM
Check out time
11AM
General
- Backbone Rock Campground will open for the 2026 season on 4/27/26. This campground does not have any Long-Term Camping programs.
- There is no electricity/water/sewer site hook-ups at this facility. There is potable water within the campground.
- Alcohol prohibited.
- All equipment must fit on the site pad. Vehicles park in developed areas only.
- An RV counts as one of the two vehicles allowed at a site.
- You are in Bear Country. Please adhere to the Cherokee National Forest Food and Refuse Storage Requirements. All food (unless actively being prepared and/or eaten), trash, and other scented items (hygiene products, pet food, etc) must be stored in a bear-resistant container (closed hard top vehicle or travel trailer) or suspended at least 12 ft. off the ground and 6 ft. from limbs. Please read the entire Food Storage Order located under the Facility Information tab and Additional Information section or by reading the Food Storage Order posted at the campground. Any campsites not in compliance will receive a ticket.
- You may check-in to the campground between and of your arrival date. If you have not checked-in before the day after your arrival date, your site will be checked-out and will forfeit all fees.
- Established quiet hours are between and.
- The two CCC-Era pavilions underwent historic renovations which were completed September 2024.
- All pets must be on a 6' leash at all times. Owners must pick up after their pets, and all pet waste disposed of properly.
- Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.
- Use designated fire rings for all fires. Do not build additional fire rings. No burning plastic or other non-wood materials except local wood in fire pits and charcoal in grills.
- It is your responsibility to read, know, understand, and follow all campground specific rules and regulations which are posted at the campground.
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Last updated: June 13, 2026
