Today this area is part of Cherokee National Forest. The forests depleted, the logging companies soon left and much of the land ended up in the hands of the U.S. Afterwards, it was discovered that the locomotive's smoke stack was too tall to fit through the tunnel, so an extra bit of tunnel height was chiseled out by hand. Beaverdam Creek flows around Backbone Rock but there was no room for a railroad bed, so they just blasted a tunnel through the rock. And there you find Backbone Rock.Īccording to this website, the tunnel was originally made for a lumber company railroad in 1901 - a time when this part of the Appalachians was being rapidly penetrated by railroads and logged out. Holston Mountain, to the west, and Iron Mountain, to the east, come together at the head of the valley. In addition to the immediate local activities, world class whitewater rafting opportunities are nearby on the Ocoee and Hiwassee Rivers.I'm going through photos from last year's trip to Appalachia, to supplement my writing up of the roadtrip tale on my blog.Īs you drive north from Shady Valley the forests close in, the valley narrows, and the road begins to wind, following Beaverdam Creek upstream. It lies in the heart of the Southern Appalachians and is home to more than 20,000 species of plants and animals, as well as many rivers, creeks and lakes. The 650,000-acre swath of land is Tennessee's only national forest. The Cherokee National Forest is located in eastern Tennessee and stretches from Chattanooga to Bristol along the North Carolina border.
#Backbone rock campground drivers
Inexperienced RV drivers may have difficulties getting to and around the site. Do not use the Benton Springs Access Road to the campground as this is an unpaved and dangerous road for RVs. It's important to note, this facility requires driving 7 miles up to Chilhowee Campground on a narrow, winding road. We recommend using Forest Service Road 77 to reach the recreation area. Be Aware Do not use GPS directions GPS coordinates will direct you up Benton Springs Rd.
Loops A and B offer walk-in tent sites with electricity. An RV dump station is located at the end of E Loop. Water hydrants are located throughout the campground. Bathhouses providing flush toilets and warm showers are available in each loop, as well as in the day use area. Picnic tables, grills, and lantern posts are located at each site. Wildlife is abundant in this area, so have your camera ready and tread lightly. On the drive up to the campground, stop at one of the many observation overlooks to see beautiful mountain settings. The views and lake are beautiful, especially hiking to Benton Falls via a 1.5 mile in and out moderate trail. Within the recreation area are approximately 25 miles of hiking and biking trails, and a scenic waterfall. Boats are allowed, but gasoline motors are not.
The 7-acre McKamy Lake offers a swim area with a sand beach, and fishing from the bank. Inexperienced RV drivers may have difficulties getting to and around the site.Ĭhilhowee Recreation Area is an excellent hub for hiking and mountain biking in the Chilhowee Trails System, fishing in McKamy Lake, and wildlife viewing without having to get in your car. The day-use area includes McKamy Lake, a swim area with sand beach, picnic sites, a group picnic area, and a bathhouse.īe Aware Do not use GPS directions GPS coordinates will direct you up Benton Springs Rd. Located in the Chilhowee Recreation Area, Chilhowee Campground offers a multitude of camping opportunities for both RV and tent sites, many with electric hookups.
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