Tennessee · Hiking

Devil's Backbone

1.7 mi
round trip
528 ft
climb
635 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Devil's Backbone is an easy out-and-back hike of about 3.4 miles in Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in Tennessee, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises from a low point of about 400 feet to a high of about 635 feet, with a total climb of about 528 feet over the round trip. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.7 miles in, with a grade of about 8 percent. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Dover show October highs around 71°F with lows near 48°F, and April highs around 70°F. That station sits a few hundred feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the ridge run a little cooler. The Artillery Trail and Piney Trail both start about 0.2 miles away, and the Telegraph Trail is about 1.5 miles off. For an overnight stay, Boswell Landing Campground is about 2.9 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Devil's Backbone

    Best months: March–June and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      46° / 27°

      9 wet · 1 snow

    2. Feb

      51° / 30°

      8 wet · 1 snow

    3. Mar

      60° / 38°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      70° / 47°

      10 wet

    5. May

      77° / 57°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      84° / 65°

      8 wet

    7. Jul

      88° / 69°

      7 wet

    8. Aug

      88° / 68°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      82° / 60°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      71° / 48°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      60° / 38°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      50° / 31°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dover 1 W, TN, 7.3 mi away at 475 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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