About Backbone Rock Campground
Number of accommodations: 10
Campground Amenities
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Pet Friendly
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Potable Water
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Sites & Availability
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Site Details
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Reviews (70)
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
Kate F
VerifiedOctober 16, 2023 • Stayed at: 04, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
Nice little campground. The camp host, Mike, is very good at his job. Kind, caring, and keeps the place clean.
Only complaint is that 2 of our 3 nights, site 6 had a car parked there idling from 10pm-5am. The car had no muffler so it was super loud all night.
Matt V
VerifiedJune 26, 2023 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
This campground is just lovely. I loved hearing the creek while sleeping. The host family were gems, everyone of them. The only thing that could be improved is if it were to have a shower. That would be nice.
Pam T
VerifiedJune 18, 2023 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
Very nice and clean sites. Very clean restrooms and the campground host Mike was very pleasurable and helpful.
Patrick G
VerifiedJune 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 04, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
Beautiful small campground close to Damascus VA. The sites were large, level, and well maintained. The bathroom was clean. The campground, although along a road, was quiet and comfortable.
Lissa W
VerifiedMay 30, 2023 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
The hosts were very kind and helpful. The bathroom spotless. The campground was very quiet in spite of there being a couple group sites that were full of people. The only thing to warn about is something I probably saw when I booked (6 mos ago) but didn't review the facilities. This is a more rustic area and so there are no showers. Bring your own soap and towels to wash your hands in the bathroom. Also, this is next to a busy road, but at night it is rarely used. No cell service whatsoever, but had no problem in Damascus just 4 miles down the road. These are totally NOT a big deal. Just letting you know so you are prepared ahead of time. Will definitely return to this campground.
Veronica K
VerifiedMay 29, 2023 • Stayed at: 02, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
Very clean bathrooms when we stayed there during Trail Days 2023. Sites are spacious and the sound of the creek made for a good night's rest. Good size firepit and hosts were friendly. Close proximity to Backbone Rock trails. Would def recommend.
Patrick G
VerifiedMay 23, 2023 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
Had a great time at Backbone Rock. Nice little campground with easy but interesting hikes, pretty river, and 5 minutes to Damascus. Campground is right along a road but it was not noticeable other than the occasional motorcycle during the day, at night its quiet and in general the river drowns out the road. Nice clean bathrooms well maintained by the hosts. No electricity or water at the sites but water & firewood is available for the campground.
Stayed at site 7 in a Hybrid camper. Only drawback was the light from the restrooms, but site 5 and lower would avoid that issue.
William P
VerifiedMay 16, 2023 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
The host welcomed us to the campground and we saw that he does a wonderful job of keeping the place neat, raking and cleaning each site before the new camper arrives. Nice job.
Dwayne D
VerifiedMay 9, 2023 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
Although there are no hookups, Backbone Rock is an excellent campground. It is next to a great trout stream. I caught two nice trout while there. There is also great hiking--Backbone Rock, Backbone Rock Waterfall, and miles of trail above Backbone Rock. Damascus is just a short drive away if you want to go out for a bite to eat.
Tamara M
VerifiedOctober 21, 2022 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
A beautiful campsite for beginners or seasoned campers. Would recommend staying by the bathroom to be near the recreation area, trash, and exit. Recommend staying at the opposite end of the bathroom if you want trails, privacy, and more nature. Campground has a gorgeous woodsy setting with the road visible behind, but traffic is light on the noise. Facilities are clean with flushable toilets, and running sink water. Each campsite is spacious in its own way and has easy access to a trail or river, and is within 5 minutes walking of Backbone Rock Trail. Hosts are gracious, friendly and make the campground a welcoming environment. Campsites are clean, easy to drive on in wet or dry conditions, and had no real issues with bugs or flooding with a tent in rainy weather. We highly recommend.
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.
Latitude & Longitude: 36.5939 / -81.815
Elevation: 682 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
Backbone Rock Campground will open for the 2026 season on 4/27/26. This campground does not have any Long-Term Camping programs. |
| General |
There is no electricity/water/sewer site hook-ups at this facility. There is potable water within the campground. |
| General |
Alcohol prohibited. |
| General |
All equipment must fit on the site pad. Vehicles park in developed areas only. |
| General |
An RV counts as one of the two vehicles allowed at a site. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
Check-out time is no later than 11 am EST on your departure day. You may check-in to the campground between 2 pm EST and 10 pm EST of your arrival date. If you have not checked-in before 2 pm EST the day after your arrival date, your site will be checked-out and will forfeit all fees. |
| General |
Established quiet hours are between 10 pm EST and 7 am EST. |
| General |
The two CCC-Era pavilions underwent historic renovations which were completed September 2024. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
It is your responsibility to read, know, understand, and follow all campground specific rules and regulations which are posted at the campground. |