![]() Nearby Attractionsĭamascus, Virginia is five miles north of Backbone Rock for any in-town needs. Motorists pass through what is locally known as “The shortest tunnel in the world” as they travel along TN 133. A tunnel was drilled through the rock in 1901 to allow railroad access between Shady Valley, TN and Damascus, VA. Backbone Rock gets its name from a spur ridge on Holston Mountain that ends abruptly at a bend in Beaverdam Creek. Natural Featuresīackbone Rock Recreation Area is located along Beaverdam Creek in northern Johnson County. Vault toilets are located within the parking area. Highway 133 occupies the old rail tunnel. The pavilion includes a stone fireplace and four large picnic tables with additional tables and grills nearby. There is a campground and recreation area at Backbone Rock, with trails leading off into the national forest. There is a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) -era pavilion, picnic tables and grills. Campers can walk from the campground to trails in both the Shining Rock (Fork. Beaverdam Creek is known for its excellent fishing. The Shining Rock Ledge (or ridge) forms the backbone of this area. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail adjoins Backbone Rock Trail. The trail crosses the rock and leads to Beaverdam Creek or Backbone Rock Falls. There is a trail that will take you to the top of Backbone Rock, following a stone-step wooded path. ![]() Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilion #1 will close for the season on Tuesday, November 26, 2019. ![]() The area includes accessible grills, picnic tables, trash cans, and vault toilets. The pavilion is large and adjacent to an expansive field, Beaverdam Creek and a large parking area. The pavilion at Backbone Rock Recreation Area is a popular location for family reunions, weddings and other types of group gatherings. PhoneįISHING, HIKING, WILDLIFE VIEWING, SWIMMING, STAR GAZING, WATER ACCESS, SCENIC DRIVE KeywordsīACKBONE ROCK RECREATION AREA PAVILIONS,BACKBONE ROCK,BACKBONE Related Link(s) Turn right onto VA 716 for five miles to the recreation area (VA 178 becomes TN 133 at the state line). From Abingdon, VA, take US 58 east for 15 miles to Damascus. Turn left onto TN 133 for eight miles to the recreation area. Backbone Rock Recreation Area is a part of the Cherokee National Forest, a large National Forest created in 1920 encompassing over 655,000 acres.From Bristol, TN take US 421 south for 20 miles to Shady Valley. There are rustic but clean bathroom facilities at Backbone Rock managed by the US Forest Service. The Backbone Rock Recreation Area offers hiking, rappelling, camping, and fishing, including a hike with one trail leading across the top of the rock and another trail taking you to the beautiful 45 foot high Backbone Falls. This short day trip is an excellent adventure (and easily accessible if you are able to walk up a large set of stairs) just minutes away from Damascus. The highest parts of Backbone Rock rise over 100 feet above the ground. This arch is clearly visible today and makes the short tunnel a very interesting site. The top of the tunnel had to be hand chiseled to resolve the problem, creating an arch in the fin around ten yards thick. After the hole was created and the track was laid, the narrow gauge railroad engine’s smokestack could not pass through the tunnel. The rock is home to what is called “the shortest tunnel in the world.” In the early 1900’s, when the harvesting of timber was the primary industry of Damascus and the surrounding areas, a 20 foot long hole had to be blasted through the rock to accommodate the railroad. ![]() The creek offers excellent fishing and swimming. The ridge is surrounded by a bend in Beaverdam Creek, flowing directly below Backbone Rock. Backbone Rock is a solid pillar of rock which is a part of Holston Mountain. Backbone Rock Recreation Area in Cherokee National ForestĪ short 10-minute drive outside of Damascus, Virginia is Backbone Rock Recreation Area.
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