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. The pavilion includes a stone fireplace and four large picnic tables with additional tables and grills nearby. There is a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) -era pavilion, picnic tables and grills. Beaverdam Creek is known for its excellent fishing. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail adjoins Backbone Rock Trail. The trail crosses the rock and leads to Beaverdam Creek or Backbone Rock Falls. Follow the nearby trail of stone steps through a wooded area to the top of Backbone Rock and continue on to Backbone Rock Falls. There is a trail that will take you to the top of Backbone Rock, following a stone-step wooded path. The campground at Backbone Rock Recreation Area sits along the shady banks of Beaverdam Creek, popular for trout fishing. 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. Keep your creature comforts all while creating the outdoor adventure memories you and your family will cherish.From Bristol, TN take US 421 south for 20 miles to Shady Valley. That’s why Abingdon is the perfect basecamp. A campground was added in the 1960s and in 1990 it was revitalized.Ībingdon is Your Basecamp for Outdoor AdventureĪbingdon is a centerpiece among so many mini-adventures like Backbone Rock. All the steps, bridges and rails were installed and the area became a day use park, complete with two picnic shelters and hiking trails that incorporated native stonework. In the 1930s, after the Depression, the US government began the Civilian Conservation Corp and they developed this spot for recreational use. When the tracks were taken up, there was perfect access by road and motorists could now zoom under “the shortest tunnel in the world.” It didn’t take long to exhaust the area from its natural resources, though, and the train stopped running. For around 30 years a train brought the lumber from Shady Valley to the Sutherland Community. Interestingly enough, when the tunnel was blasted, the engineers did not account for the engine’s smoke stack, so the very top had to be hand-chiseled to make room for passage. The tunnel allowed railroad access between Shady Valley, Tennessee and Damascus, Virginia. In 1901 a tunnel was blasted through the rock to make way for a train. Imaginative boys and girls may pretend it’s a pirate ship or an amphitheatre. It’s the perfect spot to stop and have a picnic. Rocks can be slippery and a bit uneven, but overall, it’s fairly easy to get to.Īn unexpected treat along this trail is a clearing that is surrounded by a rock wall, made just like the steps through the park. It’s a nice hike into a little gorge that leads to a neat 45ft waterfall. The entrance is just above the parking lot a bit. A post shared by Charles Walden family favorite is an easy hike to a small waterfall.
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