Backbone Rock Campground
Cherokee National Forest — fishing, hiking
Location: Unicoi, TN, TN
Price: From $10 per night
Price range: $10–$20 per night
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (71 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/backbone-rock-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Backbone Rock Campground sits along scenic Beaverdam Creek at 2,100 feet elevation with a popular swim area and direct access to the historic Backbone Rock tunnel. The small 11-site setup keeps it intimate while offering both tent and RV camping.
Wildlife alert: Yonahlossee Salamanders are documented in the area—watch for them near creek banks and wet areas, especially after rain.
Insider tips for Backbone Rock Campground: Book early—this is a federal campground and only has 11 sites total No hookups available, so bring a fully self-contained RV or plan for tent camping The day-use area opens before overnight camping (3/16 vs 4/27), allowing early visits to the Backbone Rock tunnel and creek before full campground opening Creek-side location offers swimming and fishing access directly from camp
Skip Backbone Rock Campground if: You need RV hookups (water/electric/sewer)—this campground has none. You're planning to visit November-April—seasonal closure.
Best time to visit Backbone Rock Campground: May through October — Campground operates seasonally May-October; day-use area (pavilion/vault toilets) opens 3/16 but overnight camping opens 4/27. Summer months — Swimming is a primary activity at the creek-side location.
Nearby campgrounds: Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions (Unicoi, TN), Jacobs Creek Campground (Tn) (Unicoi, TN), Beartree (Damascus, VA), Little Oak Campground (Unicoi, TN).
Cell Phone Coverage at Backbone Rock Campground
Cell signal at Backbone Rock Campground (Unicoi, TN): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground and only has 11 sites total
No hookups available, so bring a fully self-contained RV or plan for tent camping
The day-use area opens before overnight camping (3/16 vs 4/27), allowing early visits to the Backbone Rock tunnel and creek before full campground opening
Creek-side location offers swimming and fishing access directly from camp
Campground operates seasonally May-October; day-use area (pavilion/vault toilets) opens 3/16 but overnight camping opens 4/27
Swimming is a primary activity at the creek-side location
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
Highway TN 133 north from Highway 91. The campsite is on Highway 133, just north of Backbone Rock.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Cherokee National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Cherokee National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Backbone Rock Campground cost per night?+
What season is Backbone Rock Campground open?+
Does Backbone Rock Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Backbone Rock Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Backbone Rock Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Backbone Rock Campground?+
What season is Backbone Rock Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
Nearby Campgrounds
Own a campground nearby?
List free on CamperWatch — we take 5% only on bookings we send. No monthly fee.