Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions

About

Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions offers a reservable CCC-era stone pavilion for day-use group gatherings in Cherokee National Forest. Located along scenic Beaverdam Creek in northern Johnson County, Tennessee, the facility features a large covered pavilion with a stone fireplace, concrete and wooden picnic tables, accessible pedestal grills, and vault toilets. The pavilions underwent historic preservation repairs completed in September 2024 to ensure these 1930s-era structures remain safe for generations. The recreation area is named for a distinctive spur ridge on Holston Mountain that ends abruptly at a bend in Beaverdam Creek. A tunnel drilled through the rock in 1901 for railroad access is locally known as "The Shortest Tunnel in the World." Hikers can access trails leading to the top of Backbone Rock and to Backbone Rock Falls, with connections to the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Beaverdam Creek offers excellent fishing. This is a day-use facility only; overnight camping is available at the adjacent Backbone Rock Campground. Damascus, Virginia is five miles north for any in-town needs.

Directions

From Bristol, TN take US 421 south for 20 miles to Shady Valley. Turn left onto TN 133 for 8 miles to Backbone Recreation Area. From Abingdon, VA take US 58 east for 15 miles to Damascus. Turn right onto VA 716 for 5 miles to the recreation area (VA 716 becomes TN 133 at the state line).