Franklin County: Lakes, Trails and Blue Ridge Culture

Franklin County combines impressive lake landscapes, historic sites, hiking trails and the musical tradition of the Blue Ridge. The county is the eastern gateway to The Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail. Those planning a trip with nature, culture and a variety of day-trip ideas will find numerous starting points here when choosing a suitable vacation rental or vacation home.

Experience History and Culture Firsthand

The Booker T. Washington National Monument is located on the grounds of the former Burroughs Plantation. The Plantation Trail is a ¼-mile loop through the historic area. This makes it possible to combine a visit with a manageable walk while keeping the site's historical context at the center.

The Blue Ridge Farm Museum also has its own cultural focus: It is a reconstructed Virginia German farm. The Blue Ridge Institute and Farm Museum is the state center for Blue Ridge folklore. An appointment is currently required to visit the Blue Ridge Institute & Museum. This information should therefore be included in your day planning if you intend to make a museum visit a fixed part of your itinerary.

The Artisan Center Along the Crooked Road showcases works by local and regional artists. These include ceramics, glass, leather, photography, jewelry, gourds and books by local authors. A visit can therefore appeal to a range of interests and offer insight into the region's craft and artistic traditions.

Hiking Trails for Different Day Plans

Franklin County offers several trails with clearly different formats. The Dogwood Glen Trail connects the Philpott Park Tailrace at Philpott Dam with Salthouse Branch Park on the Franklin County side of Philpott Lake. The Jamison Mill Trail System consists of 6.25 miles of interconnected loops for hikers and cyclists and includes sections along the shore of Philpott Lake.

Additional options are available for shorter outings or excursions with a different character. The Jack-O-Lantern Branch Trail is 1½ miles long and leads through fields and forests. The Pigg River Blueway begins at Waid Park. Philpott Lake also has hiking trails. When planning your trip, therefore, compare trail length, scenery and the desired activity in particular, rather than treating all trails as one uniform experience.

Lake Landscapes and Water Experiences

Smith Mountain Lake is Virginia's second-largest freshwater lake and covers nearly 20,600 acres. Birdwatching opportunities add a peaceful natural element to the landscape. Philpott Lake is a 2,880-acre reservoir in southwestern Franklin County. Numerous boat launches and existing hiking trails make it another important point of reference for trip planning.

Those primarily interested in discovering museums, crafts and music will plan their days differently from travelers who prefer longer stretches along the lake or interconnected loops. A vacation rental or vacation home in Franklin County can thus be selected according to the desired pace of the trip, without prematurely combining the individual experiences.

Music and Events in Rocky Mount

The Crooked Road begins in downtown Rocky Mount. The Harvester Performance Center in Rocky Mount offers a variety of performances. In addition, the Rocky Mount Dairy Queen Jam takes place every Thursday at 9 a.m. from September through May. If you would like to plan your stay around this event, note the specified season and time. This creates an itinerary that can combine days in nature, culture and regional music.

Additional Places to Explore

For additional information about locations, you can also visit the following pages: Westlake Corner, Campbell, Stafford, Alleghany County, Giles County, Page, Russell and Greene County.

For the higher-level travel overview: Virginia.