Available sites
10 total sites
RV Sites
About Backbone Rock Campground
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
Rates, Sites & Availability
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Site Details
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10 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (159)
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Location & Directions for Backbone Rock Campground
9941 Hwy 133, Shady Valley, TN 37688 United States
Elevation: 682 ft
Getting There
Highway TN 133 north from Highway 91. The campsite is on Highway 133, just north of Backbone Rock.
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.
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: October 20, 2026
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