Devil's Backbone Class I Scenic-Recreational State Natural Area

Devil's Backbone is a 950-acre natural area in Lewis County. Devil's Backbone offers a visitor the opportunity for a quiet hike adjacent the Natchez Trace Parkway. The trail follows the ridges of Tennessee's Highland Rim and drops down along a creek into a hollow and back again along the ridge. This inviting walk provides time for enjoying nature and quiet reflection. The approximately three mile trail is a moderately strenuous loop with about 200 feet of elevation change.

Devil's Backbone has a diversity of community types that are representative of the Western Highland Rim. Examples of these include: 1) White Oak-Northern Red Oak-Hickory Forest 2) Chestnut Oak Forest 3) Chestnut Oak-Black Oak-Hickory Forest 4) Beech-Tuliptree-White Oak-Sugar Maple Forest 5) Chestnut Oak-Shortleaf Pine Forest 6) White Oak-Northern Red Oak-Tuliptree Forest 7) Scarlet Oak-Southern Red Oak-Mockernut Hickory Forest and 8) Sycamore-Tuliptree-Beech Forest.

Not many high quality examples of Western Highland Rim forest communities are known to exist because of present and past land use patterns. While Devil's Backbone represents second or third growth forest, it is unlikely many other sites on the Western Highland Rim will be identified that better represent the region's upland vegetative types. The forested area outside the existing boundary provides an important buffer and creates a much larger landscape scale ecosystem. The integrity is further improved since there is little exotic pest plant invasion compared to many other areas in the region. Another value relates to its recognition as a Class 1 scenic - recreation area. It can support day use activities and provide education opportunities regarding natural area values without impairing sensitive ecological areas. This opportunity is enhanced because of its location along the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Site Management

Division of Natural Areas, Jackson Environmental Field Office, 1625 Hollywood Drive, Jackson TN 38305, phone (731) 512-1369. Division of Natural Areas, William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower, 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 2nd Floor, Nashville, TN 37243, phone (615) 532-0431. Natchez Trace Parkway, 2680 Natchez Trace Parkway, Tupelo, MS 33804-9715, phone (800) 305-7417.

Public Access

Public access is allowed. Parking and a hiking trail are provided.

Parking: Yes

Trail: Yes

Dogs on Leash: Yes

Hunting: No

Fishing: No

Camping: No

Directions

Devil's Backbone State Natural Area is located near Hohenwald on the Natchez Trace Parkway. From Nashville, head southwest on the Parkway to mile marker 394 where a large sign points to the parking area. From Highway 412, head northeast on the Natchez Trace for about 3 miles, the entrance is on the left.

Details & Map

• Map of Devil's Backbone (This map is a georeferenced PDF)
• Google Map Directions
• Owned by the State of Tennessee
• Gordonsburg 7.5-minute quadrangle
• Western Highland Rim Physiographic Province
• Designated in 1997