Backbone rock
Rock Falls is located just across the road! "The rock" stands approximately 75 feet high and 20 feet thick. It is a long, narrow stone ridge that extends from adjacent Iron Mountain. Blackstock, except where noted.Backbone Rock is one of the most unusual rock formations in the world. I saw the first bit of sumac starting to turn red two weeks ago! The town also offers a fun adventure in being a gateway to The Virginia Creeper Trail which follows one of the old railroad tracks down the mountain.īeautiful year round, fall is especially nice at Backbone Rock Recreation Area with the brilliant colors of the hardwood trees.
#Backbone rock plus#
For those who don’t camp, nearby Damascus has many lovely bed and breakfast homes plus unique restaurants and antique shops. If you are looking for a simple way to enjoy nature, close to home before summer ends, I highly recommend this little known gem of outdoor fun. To the side of the pavilion next to the campground is the creek, and if you look just off the trail, the stone kiln used to bake bricks by the CCC can be found.Īt this time no running water is available in Backbone Rock territory, but port-a-johns are conveniently located. The forest service allows visitors to reserve them for family outings or a wedding. The picnic shelters are impressive open log structures with huge stone fireplaces. The only downside is highway 133 being close by, but that is a minor annoyance. Listening to the water made for good sleeping each night. We really enjoyed the spaciousness of our site plus being close to the creek. The sites are rented out on a first come, first served basis, so get there by early afternoon if you plan to camp. Fire rings, picnic table, and good lantern poles are available at each location. There are plenty of stretches shallow enough to get your feet wet in the cold, cold water.Ī small campground of eleven spaces accommodates both tent and trailers for dry camping. This area is rich in natural resources, and in a small pool near the falls, the rusty coloration of iron ore is visible.Īn added bonus to this section of the Cherokee Forest is Beaverdam Creek that runs around Backbone Rock and alongside the road, offering good fly fishing, and a swimming hole right next to the trail. We were there in July and enjoyed the rhododendron in bloom. The scenery, trees and wildflowers made the effort worthwhile. The CCC also constructed the one mile loop for hiking to the Backbone Rock Falls.
It is easy to tell when a hiker has just left the AT he is ready to talk! We met a hiker who chose to stay in the campground. With the Appalachian Trail close by, hikers from the AT often use the path, and get off here to freshen up in Damascus. Rappelling is allowed as well as rock climbing. You can walk across the top of the rock, enjoying a vista of trees and the road below. The trail is steep, but not long, only about a half a mile, well worth any effort. After checking out the tunnel, you are right next to the trail that leads up to the top of the rock. After camping two nights, we wished we were staying longer.Įvery attraction or activity here–tunnel, falls, picnic tables, hiking trails–are convenient to parking areas, close to the road. She invited several friends to visit, and explore this new find.
A friend became a volunteer camp host for the National Forest Service this summer, and Backbone Rock Campground was her assignment. I have lived in this area most of my life, but just found this premier spot which makes a easy day trip available, or if you enjoy camping, and have the time, a longer adventure. During the 1930s this beautiful spot benefited from the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) who came in and built trails beside Backbone Rock, complete with steps and handrails. Afterwards the United States Forest Service used the railway line as a truck trail, and it eventually became state route 133, running the eleven miles from Shady Valley to the Virginia border.
Photo courtesy of Gibson Parks Vance, Jr.īy 1913 logging had played out, and operations shut down for both the lumber mill and the secondary industry of mining manganese ore.