Backbone Rock Campground
Backbone Rock Campground is a national forest campground in Tennessee. Hookups: no hookups.
- Type
- National forest campground
- Location
- Tennessee
- Coordinates
- 36.59389, -81.81500
- Hookups
- No hookups
- Activities
- Backpacking, Biking, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Rock Climbing, Scenic Drive, Star Gazing, Swimming, Wildlife Viewing
- Map
- Open in OpenStreetMap
- Phone
- 423-735-1500
Amenities
- Reservable sites
Only amenities a source confirms are listed; an amenity missing here is unknown, not absent.
About Backbone Rock Campground
Overview 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. Recreation Along with camping, Beaverdam Creek is stocked with trout. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is accessed via the Backbone Rock Trail (#53). 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. Natural Features Backbone Rock Campground is located along the beautiful Beaverdam Creek nestled in the mountains of the Southern Appalachians. 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 tr
Cell coverage
No coverage data for this location yet.
Nearby RV services
- Dump station
- Hungry Mother State Park · 25 mi
- Water fill
- None mapped within 50 mi
- Propane
- Marsh Propane · 14 mi
- Low clearances
- None mapped within 10 mi
- Off-road routes
- 40 designated routes (63 mi) within 10 mi
Other places to stay nearby
| Name | Type | Distance | Fee | Hookups |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backbone Rock Campground | National forest campground | 0.2 mi | — | — |
| Backbone Rock Campground | Private campground | 0.3 mi | — | — |
| Laurel Creek RV Park | RV park | 3.2 mi | — | — |
| A.T. Abington Gap Shelter | National forest camping area | 4.9 mi | — | — |
| Saunders A.T. Shelter | National forest camping area | 6.4 mi | — | — |
| Pond Mountain Hunt Camp | Private campground | 7.3 mi | — | — |
Open Backbone Rock Campground in DryRig
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Sources. Recreation.gov (RIDB). Updated June 2026. Facility facts only; DryRig does not publish ratings or reviews on this page.