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
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.
Elizabeth G
VerifiedJune 29, 2020 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
This is a real nice little campground. No showers, just toilets, but were kept very clean. Very convenient to Damascus and Virginia Creeper trail, and the Backbone rock recreation area was right around the corner and great, with a nice big creek running behind the campground and through the area. Water was too cold and deep to swim, but the kids enjoyed wading in it. Taking one star away only because it's pretty close to the road, though the campsites were pretty wooded and sheltered from each other.
Elizabeth G
VerifiedJune 29, 2020 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
This is a real nice little campground. No showers, just toilets, but were kept very clean. Very convenient to Damascus and Virginia Creeper trail, and the Backbone rock recreation area was right around the corner and great, with a nice big creek running behind the campground and through the area. Water was too cold and deep to swim, but the kids enjoyed wading in it. Taking one star away only because it's pretty close to the road, though the campsites were pretty wooded and sheltered from each other.
Jennifer B
VerifiedJune 11, 2020 • Stayed at: 05, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
Great campground. Just far enough from everything that u can escape and enjoy sleeping next to a crystal clear creek with awesome rock formations. Will definitely be back.
Jennifer B
VerifiedJune 11, 2020 • Stayed at: 05, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
Great campground. Just far enough from everything that u can escape and enjoy sleeping next to a crystal clear creek with awesome rock formations. Will definitely be back.
Mickey D
VerifiedJanuary 27, 2020 • Stayed at: 04, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
Great site, family friendly, close to fishing, rappelling, AT
Mickey D
VerifiedJanuary 27, 2020 • Stayed at: 04, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
Great site, family friendly, close to fishing, rappelling, AT
Charles W
VerifiedJanuary 16, 2020 • Stayed at: 09, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
It's quiet and peaceful. The sites are XL and spaced far enough apart for some privacy.
Charles W
VerifiedJanuary 16, 2020 • Stayed at: 09, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
It's quiet and peaceful. The sites are XL and spaced far enough apart for some privacy.
Martin A
VerifiedDecember 19, 2019 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
Very spacious campsites. Nice wooded areas between sites. Would definitely revisit.
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
