Facilities
There are 10 single campsites, including two double sites within Backbone Rock Campground. The campground has flush toilets. Each site contains a table, fire ring and lantern holder.
Recreation.govTN
Backbone Rock Campground
Cherokee National Forest
Upcoming Availability
Campground guide
What to know before booking
Backbone Rock is a small campground situated along the beautiful Beaverdam Creek at an elevation of 2,100 feet in northern Johnson County. There are 10 single campsites, including two double sites within Backbone Rock Campground. Backbone Rock Campground is located along the beautiful Beaverdam Creek nestled in the mountains of the Southern Appalachians.
max Stay
14 nights
Official campground details, summarized
Concise planning notes based on the public Recreation.gov campground information.
Natural Features
Backbone Rock Campground is located along the beautiful Beaverdam Creek nestled in the mountains of the Southern Appalachians.
Recreation
Along with camping, Beaverdam Creek is stocked with trout. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is accessed via the Backbone Rock Trail (#53).
Nearby Attractions
The trailhead for the Backbone Rock Trail (#53) is approximately a quarter mile South of the campground on TN Highway 133. This trail is 4 miles and at the end of the trail is where it joins into the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (#1) Damascus, VA is approximately 5 minutes North of the campground. The Backbone Falls Trail (#198) is approximately a third of a mile South of the campground. This 0.4 mile loop trail takes you to the top of Backbone Falls.
Campsite map
Site markers come from Recreation.gov campsite coordinates.
Campsites
A sample of official campsite metadata for scanning equipment fit before booking.
Site 07
BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
—
vehicle
5
people
—
shade
Site 10
BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
—
vehicle
5
people
—
shade
Site 03
BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
—
vehicle
10
people
—
shade
Site 05
BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
—
vehicle
5
people
—
shade
Site 09
BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
—
vehicle
5
people
—
shade
Site Host
BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
—
vehicle
5
people
—
shade
Site 04
BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
—
vehicle
5
people
—
shade
Site 06
BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
—
vehicle
5
people
—
shade
Site 02
BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
—
vehicle
5
people
—
shade
Site 01
BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
—
vehicle
5
people
—
shade
Site 08
BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND
—
vehicle
10
people
—
shade
Important notices
Backbone Rock Campground is closed for the season. Backbone Rock Pavilion is open to reservations until the first Monday in November, and the vault toilet in the day-use area is open until the third Monday in November. 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.
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Surrounding campgrounds
Other tracked campgrounds within driving distance, nearest first.
Jacobs Creek Campground (Tn)
Cherokee National Forest
Beartree
George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
Little Oak Campground
Cherokee National Forest
Johns River Road Backcountry Camping
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Laurels Picnic Area Pavilions
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Comer'S Rock Recreation Area
George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
Common questions
How do I book Backbone Rock Campground?
Reservations are handled by Recreation.gov, not by Kestrel. Use the official reservation link on this page to book. Kestrel only watches availability and tells you when a site frees up.
How quickly will I hear about a cancellation?
Kestrel rescans every two minutes, and every 30 seconds during the provider's daily release window. Alerts go out by email as soon as a matching site appears.