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Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions
FSU.S. Forest Service — Unicoi · Virginia · Cherokee National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Cherokee National Forest |
| Location | Unicoi · Virginia · Cherokee National Forest · 36.59389, -81.81500 · Map |
| Sites | 1 public sites counted from the federal listing — 1 group picnic area |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 1 sites Water hookups at 0 of 1 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 1 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 1 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Not reported in the federal data |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 10:00 AM · Out 8:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 1 sites, as reported |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 423-735-1500 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-10-14.
From the official listing
Overview The pavilion at Backbone Rock Recreation Area is a popular location for family reunions and other types of group gatherings. The pavilion is large and adjacent to an expansive field, Beaverdam Creek, and a large parking area. The area includes accessible grills, picnic tables, dumpsters, and vault toilets.
Recreation There is a trail that will take you to the top of Backbone Rock, following a stone-step wooded path. The trail crosses the rock and leads to Beaverdam Creek or Backbone Rock Falls. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail adjoins Backbone Rock Trail. Beaverdam Creek is known for its excellent fishing. Facilities There is a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) -era pavilion, picnic tables and grills. The pavilion includes a stone fireplace and several large picnic tables with additional tables and grills nearby. Vault toilets are located within the parking area.
Natural Features 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 ends abruptly at a bend in Beaverdam Creek. A tunnel was drilled through the rock in 1901 to allow railroad access between Shady Valley, TN and Damascus, VA. Motorists pass through what is locally known as "The shortest tunnel in the world" as they travel along TN 133.
Nearby Attractions Damascus, Virginia is five miles North of Backbone Rock for any in-town needs.
Contact Info This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (423) 735-1500.
Directions, from the listing
From Bristol, TN take US 421 south for 20 miles to Shady Valley. Turn left onto TN 133 for eight miles to the recreation area. From Abingdon, VA, take US 58 east for 15 miles to Damascus. Turn right onto VA 716 for five miles to the recreation area (VA 178 becomes TN 133 at the state line).
Nearest federal campgrounds
11 mi straight-line · Damascus VirginiaFSU.S. Forest ServiceGrindstone
16 mi straight-line · Troutdale VirginiaFSU.S. Forest ServiceFox Creek Horse Camp
19 mi straight-line · Marion VirginiaFSU.S. Forest ServiceOld Virginia Group Horse Camp
19 mi straight-line · Marion VirginiaFSU.S. Forest ServiceHurricane Campground
20 mi straight-line · Sugar Grove Virginia
Trip Card — Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions
Unicoi · Virginia · Cherokee National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | Unicoi · Virginia · Cherokee National Forest |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Not reported |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 1 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/121840 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.