Mock’s Mill Falls is a man-made waterfall less than 15 feet in height by very wide. What this waterfall lacks in height, it makes up for in its beautiful backdrop and ease of viewing.
Mock’s Mill Falls was named after Henry A. Mock who created the waterfall in the early 1800s to power a grist mill for grinding grain into flour. The town it is located in was originally called Mock’s Mill, which has since been changed to Damascus.
Mock’s Mill remained in operation well into the 20th century. Once the mill closed the waterwheel was removed and the building has been renovated into the Damascus Old Mill Inn hotel and restaurant. You can park in a parking area behind the hotel and walk toward the hotel from the parking area. You’ll see the waterfall just below the hotel directly behind it.
Just 8 minutes away is the beautiful Backbone Falls and Backbone Rock just across the Tennessee border. In 1901, a tunnel was drilled through the rock to allow railroad access between Shady Valley and Damascus creating Backbone Rock, “The Shortest Tunnel in the World”. There’s lots of hiking opportunities in this area as well as a lake to picnic at. The Virginia Creeper Trail is nearby as well as a train exhibit in the parking area for the Creeper Trail in Damascus. And don’t forget to visit Alvarado Road Falls while you are there.
We also drove along the nearby US-58 to check out the sights as we visited in fall and the leaves were at peak, so we were treated with a beautiful array of color.
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