Backbone Rock — Attraction in Tennessee

Backbone Rock is such a unique place. It remains so natural and undeveloped. There are extremely dangerous areas for the careless. Otherwise one can walk across The Rock and wade, float, swim in the mountain river called Beaver Dam Creek. Backbone Rock is located on the outskirts of Shady Valley, TN, only about 3 miles from Damascus, VA, which is a quaint hiker town with not one stop light but where one boards a shuttle to thoroughly enjoy a bike ride on the famous Creeper Trail and Appalachian Trail. Wear old tennis shoes in the river. River rocks can be sharp and slick. Bring some bug spray. The air is moist and you are surrounded by the Cherokee National Forest....

Breathtaking views but it’s a steep hike up the backbone rock with narrow stairs. Once on top, you have views of the tunnel and road below, and the picnic area and the creek. On the other side is a set of stairs to take it down to the picnic area where you can cross the road, go under the tunnel and get back to the parking lot. The other side has stairs which are fairly narrow steep and tend to be wet and a bit slippery. If you’re reasonably fit and OK with balance, etc. it’s not a problem. If you bring your 80-year-old grandparents, they may not...

Ha, I had to go back second day to find it. Roads were poorly marked from the north. Next day came in from Shady Valley. This was something of nature I have always wanted to see, where a water cut was between two mountains. Ok, that's the rock. The tunnel was what you want see, and the beautiful stream that cits around it. Plenty shaded parking, just be very cautious re entering roadway. Even standing there under huge trees you have to look around and realize how many trains loaded with previous trees passed...