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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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
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.
Andrew A
VerifiedOctober 2, 2022 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
Very close to the road, but it is a lightly traveled road and the sound of the stream behind the campground makes for a very peaceful sound falling asleep. The only drawback is there are no shower facilities at this campground.
Andrew A
VerifiedOctober 2, 2022 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
Very close to the road, but it is a lightly traveled road and the sound of the stream behind the campground makes for a very peaceful sound falling asleep. The only drawback is there are no shower facilities at this campground.
Robert C
VerifiedSeptember 16, 2022 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
The campground was very clean and orderly. The bathrooms were very clean with running water and a commode. The hosts were very friendly and helpful. There is a large creek behind the campsites that you can enjoy swimming or fishing. The walk to Backbone Rock was a lot of fun (you can actually walk over the top of the tunnel). There is also a nice walk to a waterfall about 1/2 a mile away. You can also drive into Damascus for a fun day or drive over the mountain to Shady Valley. Definitely recommend!
Robert C
VerifiedSeptember 16, 2022 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
The campground was very clean and orderly. The bathrooms were very clean with running water and a commode. The hosts were very friendly and helpful. There is a large creek behind the campsites that you can enjoy swimming or fishing. The walk to Backbone Rock was a lot of fun (you can actually walk over the top of the tunnel). There is also a nice walk to a waterfall about 1/2 a mile away. You can also drive into Damascus for a fun day or drive over the mountain to Shady Valley. Definitely recommend!
Ted S
VerifiedSeptember 4, 2022 • Stayed at: 03, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
The campsites were clean, along with the restrooms. The camp hosts were very nice people and answered any and all of our questions. Great experience!
Ted S
VerifiedSeptember 4, 2022 • Stayed at: 03, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
The campsites were clean, along with the restrooms. The camp hosts were very nice people and answered any and all of our questions. Great experience!
Harry Z
VerifiedAugust 31, 2022 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
The new hosts made this visit our best stay yet -- and this was our 4th time here. They obviously went above & beyond the call of duty; for example: every morning the bathrooms were as clean as could be, the gravel walkways were freshly raked, our gravel pad was freshly raked and our fire pit was cleaned out upon arrival, I saw them helping another camper by delivering firewood to them, etc.
Harry Z
VerifiedAugust 31, 2022 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
The new hosts made this visit our best stay yet -- and this was our 4th time here. They obviously went above & beyond the call of duty; for example: every morning the bathrooms were as clean as could be, the gravel walkways were freshly raked, our gravel pad was freshly raked and our fire pit was cleaned out upon arrival, I saw them helping another camper by delivering firewood to them, etc.
David A
VerifiedAugust 28, 2022 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
The campground was very clean. It is only 3 miles from Damascus, Va.
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
