Can you reserve a site at Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions?

Yes, Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions is reservable through Recreation.gov.

Are pets allowed at Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions?

Yes, pets are allowed at Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions.

Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions — 1 site, fees and cancellation alerts

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.

Contact Info

This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (423) 735-1500.

Nearby Attractions

Damascus, Virginia is five miles North of Backbone Rock for any in-town needs.

The facts

1 bookable site
1 site for day use only
Up to 74 people per site
Loops: BACKBONE ROCK RECREATION AREA PAVILIONS

Site types

1 Group Picnic Area

Amenities

Grills
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, picnic tables.

Book on Recreation.gov

1 campsite at Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions

Check-in 10:00 AM · Check-out 8:00 PM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Water	Max rig	People
Backbone Rock Pavilion #1	BACKBONE ROCK RECREATION AREA PAVILIONS	Group Picnic Area	—	—	Riverfront	—	74	🐾

Getting there

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).

36.59389, -81.81500 · 36°35'38.0"N 81°48'54.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 82°F in Jul, down to 46°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	46	49	57	67	74	80	82	81	77	68	58	49
Low °F	23	25	31	39	49	56	60	59	53	41	31	26
Precip in	3.7	3.4	4.1	4.3	5.2	4.5	5.0	4.2	3.3	2.8	2.9	3.9

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 8.3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions

Can you reserve a site at Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions?: Yes, Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions have?: 1 site.
Are pets allowed at Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions?: Yes, pets are allowed at Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions.

Camping near Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions

Backbone Rock Campground less than 0.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Jacobs Creek Campground (TN) 10.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Beartree 11.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Little Oak Campground 14.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Appalachian Trail Conservancy - Damascus Trail Center 3.2 mi · Visitor Center
Iron Mountains 8.1 mi · Facility
Beartree Recreation Area 9 mi · Campground
Whitetop Station Visitor Center 11 mi · Facility
Keller Interpretive Center, Abingdon Muster Ground 12.5 mi · Visitor Center
TN 91 Scenic Drive 12.9 mi · Facility
South Holston Lake 13.3 mi · Facility
Little Oak Campground 13.7 mi · Campground

Contact

Phone 423-735-1500
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-19.

Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions