Backbone Rock Campground
USDA Forest Service campground in Cherokee National Forest, near Shady Valley, Tennessee.
How it compares
- With 11 sites it is the #68 largest of 84 Tennessee campgrounds that publish a site count (small and usually quieter).
- There are 18 other campgrounds in our data within 25 miles.
- Pets allowed on 11 of 11 sites; campfires allowed on 11 (subject to seasonal fire bans).
- Straight-line distance: Abingdon ~12 mi, Asheville ~80 mi, Blacksburg ~89 mi.
Site mix
Amenities & rules
Fire pitsLantern postsPicnic tablesTent padsPets allowedTentsRVs/trailers11 accessible sites
Trails within 5 miles
| Trail | Closest point | Mapped miles within 5 mi | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backbone Rock | 0.0 mi | 2.0 | USFS |
| Backbone Falls Trail | 0.0 mi | 0.3 | USFS |
| Appalachian Trail | 1.5 mi | 7.5 | USFS |
| Iron Mountain | 1.6 mi | 8.2 | USFS |
| Tennessee | 2.0 mi | 0.9 | USFS |
| Virginia Creeper | 3.1 mi | 7.8 | USFS |
Mountain biking nearby
9.8 miles of bike-legal trail lie within 5 miles (0.3 mi on unnamed paths). Difficulty mix: Unrated: 9.8 mi
| Trail | Closest point | Miles within 5 mi | Difficulty (as tagged) | Kids | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 2.0 mi | 0.9 | Unrated | USFS | |
| Beaver Creek Dam Trail | 2.5 mi | 0.5 | Unrated | OSM | |
| Appalachian Trail | 2.9 mi | 0.3 | Unrated | OSM | |
| Virginia Creeper | 3.1 mi | 7.8 | Unrated | USFS |
Ratings come only from OpenStreetMap mtb:scale / IMBA tags. Untagged trails show as "Unrated", and we never guess. Check conditions and maps on Trailforks or MTB Project.
Activities listed
Auto TouringBackpackingBikingBoatingCampingFire Lookouts/cabins OvernightFishingHikingHorse CampingHorseback RidingHuntingInterpretive ProgramsOff Highway VehiclePicnickingRecreational VehiclesRock ClimbingScenic DriveStar GazingSwimmingVisitor CenterWildlife Viewing
Nearest campgrounds
| Campground | Miles | State | Fee/night | Sites | Hookups | Max RV | Pets | Booking | Trails ≤5 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pond Mountain Hunt Camp North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission |
7.3 | TN | — | — | — | — | — | ? | 2 (7.7 mi) |
| Pond Mountain Hunt Camp North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission |
8.0 | NC | — | — | — | — | — | ? | 8 (24.4 mi) |
| Jacobs Creek Campground Cherokee National Forest |
10.5 | TN | — | 27 | — | — | — | Reserve | 7 (13.0 mi) |
| Beartree George Washington & Jefferson National Forest |
11.2 | VA | — | 45 | — | 99 ft | yes | Reserve | 29 (56.5 mi) |
| Forest camp site OpenStreetMap listing |
11.4 | TN | — | — | — | — | — | ? | 4 (16.1 mi) |
| Little Oak Campground Cherokee National Forest |
14.6 | TN | — | 66 | — | yes | yes | Reserve | 10 (28.7 mi) |
Hookups: E = electric (max amps), W = water, S = sewer. "—" means the agency doesn't publish it. Trail counts are named USFS/NPS trails within 5 miles. 🟢 = kid-friendly (green-rated) bike trail nearby.