Waterfall Hero Hikes: Backbone Rock Recreation Area

Backbone Rock Recreation Area is a campground and forest recreation area in the Iron Mountain area in northeast Tennessee in Johnson County. The recreation area is part of the Watauga Ranger District of Cherokee National Forest. Backbone Rock is a spur of Holston Mountain that ends abruptly at a bend in Beaverdam Creek. A tunnel was drilled through the rock in 1901 to connect a railroad between Shady Valley and Damascus, known as the Shortest Tunnel in the World. The recreation area was developed in the 1930s with a campground, picnic areas and hiking trails.

Directions:

From Bristol, head south on US-421 for about 19 miles to Shady Valley. Turn left on TN-133 north and go about 9.5 miles. The hiking trailhead is on the left immediately before the tunnel. The campground and picnic area is on the left after passing through the tunnel.

Map:

Trails:

Backbone Falls Trail (#198):

Backbone Falls Trail is a short loop hike that starts across the street from the Backbone Rock Trailhead and loops around the 40-foot waterfall.

Backbone Rock Trail (#53):

Backbone Rock Trail starts from the trailhead just south of the tunnel and leads up to Backbone Rock. A spur leads across the ridge over the road. The main trail heads up and eventually connects with the Appalachian Trail.

Points of Interest:

Backbone Falls:

Backbone Falls is a 40-foot waterfall through a narrow crack on a tributary of Beaverdam Creek.

Backbone Rock:

Backbone Rock is a spur ridge of Holston Mountain with a tunnel blasted near Beaverdam Creek that TN-133 goes through. Here's a video driving through the shortest tunnel in the world.