Backbone Rock

If you haven’t made the trip out to Shady Valley for this one, you’re missing out. The water feature alone is worth the drive — there’s something about hearing it while you’re walking the path through the trees that just settles you down. Picnic tables are well-placed in the shade, restrooms are on-site, and parking is easy, which honestly isn’t something you can say about a lot of spots along this stretch of Tennessee. The forest trails nearby mean you can make a full day of it if you want, or just hang around the rocks and let the kids burn off some energy.