Tennessee · Hiking · Near Spruce Pine

Shinbone

17.2 mi
round trip
3,573 ft
climb
3,771 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Nov
best months

Is Shinbone open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in National Forests in North Carolina. It doesn't name Shinbone, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · National Forests in North Carolina. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Shinbone is a hard hike in the Unaka Ranger District of Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee. It is also within the Appalachian National Scenic Trail corridor, which stretches into the National Forests in North Carolina. The trail starts at about 3,612 feet and reaches a high point of 3,771 feet, with a total climb of 3,573 feet over the 17.2-mile out-and-back route. The steepest stretch comes at about 2.4 miles, where the grade reaches 25%. Bikes and horses are both allowed, and the trail surface is natural. For timing, late spring and early fall are the most comfortable. Typical averages from the nearby Burnsville Ag weather station in North Carolina, which sits about 950 feet lower, show highs around 73°F in May and 76°F in September. Temperatures on the trail run cooler than those figures. Rock Creek Recreation Area, Rock Creek Falls Trail and Rattlesnake Ridge Trail are all about 3 miles away. North Indian Creek, a paddling stream, is about 6 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    A.T. Curley Maple Gap Shelter

    Campground

    Campground · 1.4 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Bonnie & Clyde's

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 12 mi
  • If it rains

    mica Art Gallery

    Gallery

    On your way back · 13 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Spruce Pine

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Mar–Nov

    Best time to visit Shinbone

    Best months: March–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

      45° / 26°

    2. Feb

      49° / 29°

    3. Mar

      56° / 34°

    4. Apr

      66° / 42°

    5. May

      73° / 49°

    6. Jun

      80° / 58°

    7. Jul

      83° / 61°

    8. Aug

      81° / 60°

    9. Sep

      76° / 54°

    10. Oct

      67° / 42°

    11. Nov

      57° / 34°

    12. Dec

      48° / 28°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Burnsville Ag, NC, 13.7 mi away at 2,825 ft. The station sits about 900 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.