Backbone Rock
Shady Valley, Tennessee · on Beaverdam Creek · Cherokee National Forest
Verified · 4 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- creek
- FALLS
- Waterfall on site
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $10
- SEASON
- Fall
About Backbone Rock
Backbone Rock is a U.S. Forest Service recreation area in the Cherokee National Forest along Beaverdam Creek in northern Johnson County, Tennessee, near Shady Valley and the Virginia border. It centers on a distinctive rock ridge pierced by a 1901 railroad tunnel and includes a small drive-up campground and a historic CCC-era pavilion, with the creek here officially described as a popular swimming area.
The site sits at about 2,100 feet elevation where Beaverdam Creek runs alongside TN Highway 133, at a spur ridge of Holston Mountain that ends abruptly at a bend in the creek. A narrow 1901 railroad tunnel blasted through the rock, locally billed as 'the shortest tunnel in the world,' is the area's signature feature, and a historic CCC-era stone pavilion with a fireplace sits on the grounds near the small campground.
Swimming at Backbone Rock
Recreation.gov's official description of the campground identifies Beaverdam Creek here as 'a popular swimming area,' alongside fishing for stocked trout. No further detail on depth, current, or specific swimming holes along the creek was found in official sources.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located directly on TN Highway 133 in northern Johnson County, Tennessee, within the Cherokee National Forest; the campground and pavilion area sit roadside along Beaverdam Creek, with the Backbone Rock Trail (#53) beginning nearby and connecting to the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
Parking: Ample parking available at the recreation area/pavilion grounds, per the official recreation.gov listing.
The hike in
The swimming area on Beaverdam Creek sits directly alongside the campground/pavilion grounds off TN Highway 133 - no hike is needed to reach the water. Two optional side trails start nearby but are not needed for swimming: Backbone Rock Trail #53 (about 4 miles, connecting to the Appalachian National Scenic Trail) begins roughly a quarter mile south of the campground on Hwy 133; and the separate 0.4-mile Backbone Falls Trail #198 loop, starting about a third of a mile south of the campground, climbs via stone steps to the top of Backbone Rock and Backbone Falls.
No hike required for swimming; the optional trails above are for visitors who also want to see Backbone Falls or connect to the AT, not for accessing the creek.
Plan your visit
Parking
Lot
Developed asphalt parking lot at the pavilion/day-use area, plus a small campground lot roadside on TN Highway 133; no day-use parking fee was found (camping runs $10-20/night, pavilion reservation is $50/day, but these are not parking fees).
Restrooms
Yes
Flush toilets at Backbone Rock Campground; vault toilets in the day-use/pavilion parking area, open seasonally.
Hours
Day-use facilities (pavilion, day-use parking) open March 16, 2026 for the season; camping season runs April 27, 2026 through fall; no specific daily open/close hours were found for day-use swimming access.
On the water
No watercraft, kayak, canoe, or boat-launch information was found for this stretch of Beaverdam Creek; official USFS/Recreation.gov listings describe it only as a swimming and trout-fishing spot, with no boating mentioned.
Backstory
The rock ridge is named for a spur of Holston Mountain that ends abruptly at a bend in Beaverdam Creek. A railroad tunnel was blasted through the rock in 1901 and is locally known as 'the shortest tunnel in the world.' The recreation area's CCC-era pavilions underwent a historic restoration completed in September 2024.
Backbone Rock: FAQ
Does Backbone Rock charge a fee?
Campground sites cost $10-20 per night; pavilion reservation is $50/day. No separate day-use swimming fee was found in official sources.
Do I need to hike to reach Backbone Rock?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Backbone Rock?
Developed asphalt parking lot at the pavilion/day-use area, plus a small campground lot roadside on TN Highway 133; no day-use parking fee was found (camping runs $10-20/night, pavilion reservation is $50/day, but these are not parking fees).
When is the best time to visit Backbone Rock?
Day-use facilities open March 16, 2026; the campground season runs April 27, 2026 through fall, per recreation.gov's 2026 opening dates.
What are the rules at Backbone Rock?
Alcohol prohibited; pets must be leashed at all times; quiet hours 10pm-7am EST; bear-country regulations require food stored in bear-resistant containers or properly suspended; firewood may not be transported into the area; groups of 75 or more require a special use permit.
What water body is Backbone Rock on?
Backbone Rock is on Beaverdam Creek, a natural creek verified in USGS hydrography data.
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