Backbone Rock Campground

Beaverdam Creek at Backbone Rock Campground
Entrance Sign at Backbone Rock Campground
Waterfall at Backbone Rock Campground
Backbone Rock Campground

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

10 total sites

RV Sites

10 sites

About Backbone Rock Campground

Backbone Rock Campground will open for the 2026 season on 4/27/26. The pavilion and vault toilets in the day-use area will open on 3/16/26. Backbone Rock is a small campground situated along the beautiful Beaverdam Creek at an elevation of 2,100 feet in northern Johnson County. This developed campground is popular with those visiting the nearby Backbone Rock, a tunnel originally blasted through the rock ridge for the railway. The creek side location with popular swim area and lush forest surroundings make Backbone Rock Campground particularly desirable during hot summer months. With 10 campsites and an adjacent large Civilian Conservation Corps- built reservable pavilion with lawn, Backbone Rock is a great option for a group to reserve the whole campground for retreats and other events.  

Number of accommodations: 10

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Apr 27 to Oct 12

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly Pet friendly
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

10 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 01, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 02, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 03, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 04, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 05, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 06, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 07, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 08, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 09, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 10, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND RV
No Hookups
Price not available

Reviews (156)

What Guests Are Saying

Backbone Rock Campground offers a beautiful and peaceful setting with large, private sites, clean facilities, and friendly hosts. Many guests appreciate the scenic views along the creek and the opportunity to disconnect from technology. While there are some concerns about noise from nearby roads and occasional trash, overall, visitors enjoy the rustic charm and natural beauty of the area.

Review Summary

4.5
156 reviews
5
73.1%
114
4
13.5%
21
3
5.8%
9
2
5.1%
8
1
2.6%
4

janice k

Verified

July 3, 2025 Stayed at: 09, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND

5

was a very nice little campground. Had very clean restroom, convenient water source, nice creek to cool off in and close toDamascus.

janice k

Verified

July 3, 2025 Stayed at: 09, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND

5

was a very nice little campground. Had very clean restroom, convenient water source, nice creek to cool off in and close toDamascus.

richard s

Verified

June 28, 2025 Stayed at: 08, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND

5

Always great to see Mike and Annette great camp hosts enjoyed our time at backbone😊

richard s

Verified

June 28, 2025 Stayed at: 08, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND

5

Always great to see Mike and Annette great camp hosts enjoyed our time at backbone😊

June H

Verified

May 10, 2025 Stayed at: 06, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND

5

Lovely campground! Sites are large, spread out with trees and brush separating them and backed up to a lively creek. The bathroom was spotless and has flush toilets. Only a couple of negatives and those were that the sink in the men's room did not have running water and there were no lights in the bathrooms. There was no camp host either. Cell reception is non-existent at the campground but that was perfectly fine with us!

June H

Verified

May 10, 2025 Stayed at: 06, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND

5

Lovely campground! Sites are large, spread out with trees and brush separating them and backed up to a lively creek. The bathroom was spotless and has flush toilets. Only a couple of negatives and those were that the sink in the men's room did not have running water and there were no lights in the bathrooms. There was no camp host either. Cell reception is non-existent at the campground but that was perfectly fine with us!

Gwen D

Verified

September 30, 2024 Stayed at: 01, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND

5

We always enjoy our time in this beautiful rustic camp ground! The only suggestion we have is to perhaps add a dish washing station to the right of the potable water access, similar to a fish cleaning station. That way people can get water without having to wait for the dishwashing to finish.

Gwen D

Verified

September 30, 2024 Stayed at: 01, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND

5

We always enjoy our time in this beautiful rustic camp ground! The only suggestion we have is to perhaps add a dish washing station to the right of the potable water access, similar to a fish cleaning station. That way people can get water without having to wait for the dishwashing to finish.

Gordon M

Verified

September 11, 2024 Stayed at: 04, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND

5

We enjoyed the quiet and the beauty of the location. We hope to return at a later date.

Gordon M

Verified

September 11, 2024 Stayed at: 04, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND

5

We enjoyed the quiet and the beauty of the location. We hope to return at a later date.

Location Backbone Rock Campground

Address:
9941 Hwy 133
Shady Valley, TN, 37688
United States

Highway access

Access to Backbone Rock Campground is via Highway TN 133, which connects to Highway 91. No major highways or interstates are within 25 miles.

Elevation: 682 feet

Distance to downtown

9.6 mi drive to downtown Shady Valley (about 13 min)

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. 

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: September 2, 2026

USDA Forest Service Logo
Managed by USDA Forest Service