Backbone Rock Recreation Area
The managing agency’s description mentions a closure. Read it below and confirm before you drive out.
The numbers that decide it
- Longest rig
- Not published
- Sites
- 11
- Electric hookups
- Not published
- Pull-through sites
- No
- Paved access
- No
- Accessible sites
- 11
- Driveway grade
- Slight
- Bear boxes
- Not published
- Campfires
- Yes
- Shade
- Not published
- Group sites
- 2
Site-level detail from Recreation.gov, checked 2026-08-05. Where a field says “not published”, the agency has not published it — it does not mean zero. See it on Recreation.gov
Backbone Rock Recreation Area
BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND AND PAVILIONS IS CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO EFFECTS FROM HELENE. Backbone Rock Recreation Area is located along Beaverdam Creek in northern Johnson County. Backbone Rock gets its name from a spur ridge on Holston Mountain that abrubtly ends at a bend in Beaverdam Creek. A tunnel was drilled through the rock in 1901 to allow railroad access between Shady Valley and Damascus, VA. Motorists pass through what is known as "The Shortest Tunnel in the World" as they travel along TN 133. In the 1930s The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) developed the recreation area for day use, constructing two picnic shelters and hiking trails that incorporated native stonework. The campground was added in the 1960s and rehabilitated in the mid 1990s.
Before you go
Season
4/29/2024 – 10/15/2024
Reservations
Reservations accepted
Fees
Camping is $10 for single site (8 sites) and $20 for double site (2 sites). One pavilion is reservable at $50 per day. (Pavilion is currently closed for renovations).
Hours
BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND AND PAVILIONS IS CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO EFFECTS FROM HELENE. Gates are open at 7am and closed at 10pm. Guests are asked to leave the area before the gates are closed for the evening. The hiking trails are open year round, from sunrise to sunset. The vault toilets at the Backbone Rock day-use areas are now closed for the seaon. Starting Nov 1, 2023 the Large reservable pavilion and the smaller non-reservable pavilion will be CLOSED due to Historic Preservation Repair. This closure will last until approx Monday, Sept 23, 2024. Backbone Rock Campground is closed for the 2024 season. Please familiarize yourself with the Food Storage Order .
Restrictions
Starting Nov 1, 2023 the Large reservable pavilion and the smaller non-reservable pavilion will be CLOSED due to Historic Preservation Repair. This closure will last until approx Sept 23, 2024. • Campsites are limited to a single family or not more than 5 people and 2 vehicles. Double campsites allow for up to 10 individuals and 4 vehicles. • No alcoholic beverages are allowed in the area. • No burning plastic or other non-wood materials except local wood in fire pits and charcoal in grills. • Food storage restrictions apply at all areas on the Cherokee National Forest. All food and beverages must be stored in an approved bear-proof container , your locked vehicle or hard-sided camper at all times unless being eaten, prepared, or transported. • Pets must be on a maximum 6 ft. leash at all times, and pick up after them. • It is your responsibility to read, know, understand, and follow all specific rules and regulations which are also posted at the campground.
Scenic drives that pass close
Make it a night on a better road
Byway plans the drive in — real stops, real weather, nothing invented.