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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Site Details
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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
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.
David S
VerifiedAugust 11, 2020 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
Awesome campground right next to a lot of cool things to do!
David S
VerifiedAugust 11, 2020 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
Awesome campground right next to a lot of cool things to do!
Jerry F
VerifiedAugust 3, 2020 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
Having grown up in Damascus it is great to see how nice they have BackBone again. It is a relaxing get away with wonderful sites. If you have never camped here and taken a shuttle from Damascus to ride down the Creeper Trail, you NEED to add that to your bucket list.
Jerry F
VerifiedAugust 3, 2020 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
Having grown up in Damascus it is great to see how nice they have BackBone again. It is a relaxing get away with wonderful sites. If you have never camped here and taken a shuttle from Damascus to ride down the Creeper Trail, you NEED to add that to your bucket list.
Vernon D
VerifiedJuly 26, 2020 • Stayed at: 06, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
had a great time will be back
Vernon D
VerifiedJuly 26, 2020 • Stayed at: 06, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
had a great time will be back
Arthur R
VerifiedJuly 23, 2020 • Stayed at: 04, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
Our family revisits this campground every year for the last 25years. We always have quality family time due to no phone or television service. We started out with our sons and now they are grown with family's of there own. The grandchildren now love it also. With us it's a tradition. A chance to make memories to carry through life of fun with family in the great outdoors.
Arthur R
VerifiedJuly 23, 2020 • Stayed at: 04, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
Our family revisits this campground every year for the last 25years. We always have quality family time due to no phone or television service. We started out with our sons and now they are grown with family's of there own. The grandchildren now love it also. With us it's a tradition. A chance to make memories to carry through life of fun with family in the great outdoors.
Sheldon G
VerifiedJuly 12, 2020 • Stayed at: 09, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
Backbone Rock Campground offers a beautiful plot in a well-forested area with individual access points to Beaver Dam Creek, a glorious, surging creek with cascading rapids and waterfalls. The camp sites are generous in size and include a fire basin and metal poles with hooks for hanging clothes or straps for a hammock. As tent campers, we felt safe at our site, and were lulled to sleep by the sound of the rushing water. The restroom lacked soap, but was otherwise relatively clean and stocked with toilet paper. The camp host was friendly and COVID conscious, which offered some security for our travels during this time.
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
