Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions
Open for the season. This is a day-use pavilion facility, not an overnight campground. The vault toilets in the day-use area are open. Groups of 75 or more must contact the Watauga Ranger District for a special use permit. Bear country rules apply for food storage.
Campsite limitations
Specific Camping prohibitions1. Camping for more than 14 days in developed and dispersed areas. Camping in anylocation is limited to 14 consecutive days. On the 14th consecutive day, the camper andparty must leave that area/campground for a minimum of seven days before returning foranother stay. If…
Camping not permitted within 300 feet of the Cherohala Skyway
Camping restricted along Skyway to beyond 300 yards.
motorboats restricted on Forest Service Lakes
Possession or operating a vessel powered by an internal combustion engine of any size or propelled by any other machinery rated greater than 5 horsepower is prohibited on McKamy Lake, Indian Boundary Lake, and Allen Branch Pond.
Little Sylco Project closes portion of FS 221
The US Forest Service plans to disrupt access to portions of FS 221 beginning Nov. 10 south of Parksville Lake while permanent water crossing repairs are completed to improve access across the Cherokee National Forest in Polk County. This Emergency Repair is in response to flood damage that…
Little Milligan Boat Ramp Temporary Closure Planned
The Little Milligan Boat Ramp Recreation Area is temporary unavailable to the public for visitor health and safety during Hurricane Helene salvage logging operations.
Closure order prohibiting protected areas pertaining to Paint Rock
Going into or being upon or in the area of closure (this includes all forms ofpresence, including as a pedestrian or by any and all other means)
Wilderness Closure Orders
This Forest Order is associated with Wilderness Areas limitations concerning stay duration, group size limits, mechanized equipment, camping and camping equipment.
Donley Cabin Camping Limitations
Limits to Donley Cabin exist to preserve small group opportunities in a remote setting. No overnight occupancy by more than 6 persons. No stays in the area except for 6 person limit authorized between sundown and sunrise. No discharge of firearm, air rifle, or gas gun within 500 feet of Donley…
Equestrian animals prohibited around Citico Creek
Equestrian animals are prohibited from going into or being upon the critical habitat portion of Citico Creek for the protection of threatened and endanger species.
About
Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions offers a reservable CCC-era stone pavilion for day-use group gatherings in Cherokee National Forest. Located along scenic Beaverdam Creek in northern Johnson County, Tennessee, the facility features a large covered pavilion with a stone fireplace, concrete and wooden picnic tables, accessible pedestal grills, and vault toilets. The pavilions underwent historic preservation repairs completed in September 2024 to ensure these 1930s-era structures remain safe for generations. The recreation area is named for a distinctive spur ridge on Holston Mountain that ends abruptly at a bend in Beaverdam Creek. A tunnel drilled through the rock in 1901 for railroad access is locally known as "The Shortest Tunnel in the World." Hikers can access trails leading to the top of Backbone Rock and to Backbone Rock Falls, with connections to the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Beaverdam Creek offers excellent fishing. This is a day-use facility only; overnight camping is available at the adjacent Backbone Rock Campground. Damascus, Virginia is five miles north for any in-town needs.
Directions
From Bristol, TN take US 421 south for 20 miles to Shady Valley. Turn left onto TN 133 for 8 miles to Backbone Recreation Area. From Abingdon, VA take US 58 east for 15 miles to Damascus. Turn right onto VA 716 for 5 miles to the recreation area (VA 716 becomes TN 133 at the state line).
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $50 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (423) 735-1500 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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