Backbone Rock Campground, Unicoi, TN

Backbone Rock Campground is located in the Watauga Ranger District, Cherokee National Forest (49 min east of Bristol, TN) with an elevation of 2,238 feet. There are a total of 11 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of April to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 30 and 90 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fees range from $10.00 to $20.00. Some amenities include swimming, flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails, rock climbing.

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36.59614, -81.81826
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(423) 735-1500 (Information)
(877) 444-6777 (Reservations)
$10 - $20

Campsite Reviews (48)

4.5 out of 5

5 star		73%
4 star		15%
3 star		6%
2 star		6%
1 star		0%

@GwenD957028392 · Camped on Sep 20, 2024 at Campsite #1

We always enjoy our time in this beautiful rustic camp ground! The only suggestion we have is to perhaps add a dish washing station to the right of the potable water access, similar to a fish cleaning station. That way people can get water without having to wait for the dishwashing to finish.

@GordonM3CC6FDF · Camped on Sep 2, 2024 at Campsite #4

We enjoyed the quiet and the beauty of the location. We hope to return at a later date.

@AlbertC9395033 · Camped on Jul 25, 2024 at Campsite #8

Well maintained campground. Convenient to Damascus VA. Our campground host Mike was awesome and super helpful.

@AlbertC9395033 · Camped on Jul 25, 2024 at Campsite #10

Well maintained campground. Convenient to Damascus VA. Our campground host Mike was awesome and super helpful.

@AlbertC9395033 · Camped on Jul 25, 2024 at Campsite #9

Well maintained campground. Convenient to Damascus VA. Our campground host Mike was awesome and super helpful.

@AprilCD3EAE47A · Camped on Jul 19, 2024 at Campsite #10

The campground was nice, and well kept.

@KarenM8822647 · Camped on Jun 8, 2024 at Campsite #5

Beautiful shady primitive camp ground down the side of a creek. Bathrooms have no shower but are very nice, and very clean. Backbone rock and waterfall is a great hike. Or you can hike from the site up to the AT over a mountain to Damascus, Va. I will go back.

@CarriePC2796FE · Camped on Jun 7, 2024 at Campsite #3

We love this campground. It was quiet and beautiful. Lots of trees and a beautiful river. At the entrance to the campground is a wonderful place for you to swim. Also, it is 3 miles from Damascus which we love and we enjoyed the Creeper Trail. What a beautiful area.

@DavidM9841724 · Camped on May 22, 2024 at Campsite #6

very beautiful campground next to a pristine stream with a clean bathroom as well as a number of spring fed(?) water spigots outside. Make sure you have a waterproof sleep area (I did- waterproof tent) as it rained hard the night I was there.

@JeremyS8080381 · Camped on May 2, 2024 at Campsite #4

Great location and clean campgrounds. Lack of cell coverage was a plus. Nice to get away, and relax. Damascus is only a short drive away.

@KateFADAC1196F · Camped on Oct 6, 2023 at Campsite #4

Nice little campground. The camp host, Mike, is very good at his job. Kind, caring, and keeps the place clean. Only complaint is that 2 of our 3 nights, site 6 had a car parked there idling from 10pm-5am. The car had no muffler so it was super loud all night.

@MattV8158D7E5D · Camped on Jun 17, 2023 at Campsite #7

This campground is just lovely. I loved hearing the creek while sleeping. The host family were gems, everyone of them. The only thing that could be improved is if it were to have a shower. That would be nice.

@pamt7896850 · Camped on Jun 9, 2023 at Campsite #10

Very nice and clean sites. Very clean restrooms and the campground host Mike was very pleasurable and helpful.

@PatrickG766825 · Camped on Jun 2, 2023 at Campsite #4

Beautiful small campground close to Damascus VA. The sites were large, level, and well maintained. The bathroom was clean. The campground, although along a road, was quiet and comfortable.

@VeronicaKF1F7B · Camped on May 19, 2023 at Campsite #2

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.

@LissaW41CE555B · Camped on May 18, 2023 at Campsite #10

The hosts were very kind and helpful. The bathroom spotless. The campground was very quiet in spite of there being a couple group sites that were full of people. The only thing to warn about is something I probably saw when I booked (6 mos ago) but didn't review the facilities. This is a more rustic area and so there are no showers. Bring your own soap and towels to wash your hands in the bathroom. Also, this is next to a busy road, but at night it is rarely used. No cell service whatsoever, but had no problem in Damascus just 4 miles down the road. These are totally NOT a big deal. Just letting you know so you are prepared ahead of time. Will definitely return to this campground.

@PatrickG766825 · Camped on May 12, 2023 at Campsite #7

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.

@WilliamP724185 · Camped on Apr 29, 2023 at Campsite #10

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.

@DwayneD5256304 · Camped on Apr 24, 2023 at Campsite #1

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.

@AndrewA9865886 · Camped on Sep 23, 2022 at Campsite #7

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.

@TamaraM7621289 · Camped on Sep 8, 2022 at Campsite #1

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.

@RobertC4745893 · Camped on Sep 6, 2022 at Campsite #10

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!

@TedS3671645 · Camped on Aug 26, 2022 at Campsite #3

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!

@HarryZ5753849 · Camped on Aug 17, 2022 at Campsite #1

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.

@DavidA3218244 · Camped on Aug 17, 2022 at Campsite #7

The campground was very clean. It is only 3 miles from Damascus, Va.

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