OutReserve

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

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

Campground Amenities

  • Pet Friendly
    Pet Friendly
  • Potable Water
    Potable Water

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 closed - Opens on Apr 27

Sites & Availability

10 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 01, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 02, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 03, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 04, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 05, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 06, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 07, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 08, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 09, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 10, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
$20.00
/ per night

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.

Review Summary

4.6
70 reviews
5
75.7%
53
4
14.3%
10
3
4.3%
3
2
4.3%
3
1
1.4%
1

Janice C

Verified

May 23, 2022 Stayed at: 07, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND

5

The Campground Hosts were the most outstanding ever! They were professional, as well as friendly and helpful. I have never met better Hosts in any campsite anywhere!

Janice C

Verified

May 23, 2022 Stayed at: 05, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND

5

Both the Campground Hosts and the Ranger/personnel were very professional and helpful at this campsite. They were outstanding! The restrooms and the site were very clean.

Deborah M

Verified

May 23, 2022 Stayed at: 01, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND

5

Nice size site. Quite!

Trina M

Verified

May 22, 2022 Stayed at: 03, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND

5

Fishing was fun, enjoyed Trail Days

Sharon R

Verified

October 12, 2021 Stayed at: 04, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND

4

Very small campground with really nice level sites. Very close to highway, but that was okay. No showers, but water in restrooms sinks was warm, so able to do some basic wash up. This is bear country, with warnings to keep food safely stored. However, the “bear proof” trash cans had no real mechanism for keeping the bears out. The campground is very close to Damascus and the Virginia Creeper and Appalachian trails. We had intended to bike, but due to rain and other factors, we hiked instead. We would stay here again.

Michael M

Verified

September 5, 2021 Stayed at: 09, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND

3

I have been going to Backbone Rock since the late 1980’s. The park used to be well maintained. But the past few years they have let it go to seed. The trail isn’t maintained, the rails have fallen, weeds are taking over, the large pavilion had trash in the fireplace, and one of the beams holding the pavilion up has rotted out and has rocks shoved under the bottom to hold it in place. Even the campground isn’t being maintained as it should be. Lack of funding? I don’t know, why, I just hate to see it so run down.

Bonnie R

Verified

August 25, 2021 Stayed at: 10, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND

4

Camped here 2 nights only 1 other camper the first night and nobody the 2nd night. Beautiful spot with creek running behind campsites. Definitely go into Damascus and do the Creeper Trail bike trail. Awesome 17 miles downhill. If hungry eat at Damascus Diner, great food. Take the hike to top of Backbone Rock Tunnel. Steps are steep and slick if wet but awesome view on top of tunnel.

Lindsay W

Verified

August 22, 2021 Stayed at: 04, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND

5

Really clean and spacious sites. There were also two really good swimming holes so bring the swimsuits! Only draw backs are that the campground is next to the highway (which is quiet at night, so not too bad) and the sites open up to the camp road, so not great privacy, but that’s okay. Probably the cleanest bathrooms I’ve seen at a recreation.gov campground. Really liked this campground would come again, sites 1-5 on the river are the sites ones to get

Kathryn P

Verified

August 8, 2021 Stayed at: 05, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND

3

Campsite was large, facilities were clean, and I loved being next to the river where my kids could play. Unfortunately it is located right next to a busy road and the cars kept me up most of the night.

Susan O

Verified

July 29, 2021 Stayed at: 10, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND

5

Really nice little campground, close to Damascus Virginia and the Virginia Creeper.

Location Backbone Rock Campground

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

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. 

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