Backbone Rock Tunnel Is a Small Stop With Big Outdoor Possibilities

Backbone Rock Tunnel does not take long to walk through. The former railroad passage, cut directly through the rock, measures only about 22 feet from one end to the other. But this small opening in a dramatic ridge a few miles south of Damascus, Virginia, has a way of turning a quick roadside pause into a longer outdoor ramble.

The tunnel and the rock formation around it make an unusually good compact stop: a bit of local railroad history, a striking slab of stone, and a passage that looks almost too short to qualify as a tunnel until you are standing in it. Park nearby, have a look through the opening, and the choices begin from there.

Natural stone steps lead up toward the top of Backbone Rock, where the tunnel lies below and the ridge becomes the destination. Walking across the rock gives the visit a different scale. What begins as a quick look at an old railroad cut becomes a perch above the road and surrounding woods.

The climb is steep in places and deserves caution. This is not a polished observation deck with railings and an easy approach; it is a short outdoor climb on natural and stone steps. People who would rather skip the ascent still have plenty to see at ground level and on the trails across the road.

For travelers moving through the region, the tunnel is a fine place to stop, stretch, and take a few photographs. The rock’s narrow cut and the steps rising around it provide more visual interest than the usual roadside pull-off.

Across the road from the parking area, the setting opens into the more lingering side of Backbone Rock. Trails lead through the wooded landscape, with a creek in the mix and overlooks toward the river below.

One of the trails reaches a waterfall, giving the walk a clear little reward beyond the tunnel itself. The contrast is pleasant: one side of the road has the tight, vertical geometry of the rock cut, while the other leads into water, trees and a more open riverside scene.

This is also where the attraction becomes useful for different kinds of outings. A short visit can be limited to the tunnel and a few pictures; a longer stop can include the waterfall, the overlooks and a slow walk through the surrounding trails.

Near the river, picnic tables, grills and a roofed shelter provide a straightforward reason not to rush away. The facilities are simple, but they suit the setting well. Bring lunch, settle in near the water, and let the tunnel be the beginning rather than the entire itinerary.

The picnic area also gives non-hikers a comfortable way to enjoy the location. One person can take the steeper route toward the rock while another stays close to the river, tables and shelter; the stop does not require everyone in a group to do the same thing.

Backbone Rock sits a few miles south of Damascus, making it easy to fold into a day spent exploring this corner of Virginia and nearby Tennessee. It has also been used as a stop on bicycle outings between Shady Valley, Tennessee, and Damascus.

Drivers in the area may know the nearby route called the Snake, a scenic stretch that gives the tunnel stop an easy place in a larger mountain-road outing. The tunnel itself is brief, but the surrounding roads, creekside picnic area and trails make it more than a check-the-box attraction.

Parking is available near the tunnel, while the picnic facilities are across the road by the river. The parking area has been described as small, and sightlines when leaving can be limited, particularly to the left, so the road crossing and departure call for attention.

There is generally no elaborate arrival routine here: no formal indoor attraction, no reservation process, and no long wait built into the visit. Hiking boots make sense for anyone planning to take on the trails or the climb, and a picnic lunch is an easy way to make use of the riverside setting.