Henry County: Rivers, Trails and Regional History

Henry County offers a diverse mix of river landscapes, lakes, hiking trails, regional history and special events. The Smith River shapes many of the possible excursions: A 44.5-mile-long section runs through Henry County, extending from Philpott Lake to the North Carolina border. This allows you to tailor your trip according to your interests, whether you are looking for water activities, nature observation, exercise or culture.

Philpott Lake and the Smith River

Philpott Lake covers 2,880 acres and has approximately 25 miles of shoreline. Ten public boat ramps and a canoe put-in below the dam for whitewater activities provide a variety of ways to enjoy the water. Boating, swimming, picnicking, hiking, cycling, hunting, fishing and wildlife observation are among the activities listed at the lake. The Smith River Trail System also features a scenic blueway, 11 public river accesses and more than 20 miles of greenway.

Several access points are available for specific paddling plans. Fieldale River Access is located at the starting point of the Fieldale Walking Trail and offers parking for day trips involving hiking and boating. Doe Run River Access is situated on a quiet section of the river that is well suited to paddling. Mitchell Bridge River Access is the last public river access in Henry County; from there, boaters can put in and take out in North Carolina. The Smith River Access at the Monogram Foods Smith River Sports Complex has a natural-surface access ramp. Water releases from Philpott Dam can cause water levels there to change rapidly.

Hiking Trails, Parks and Cycling Experiences

Henry County also offers many specific destinations for days without a boat. Doe Run Park has two hiking trails, a pond, a stream and abundant wildlife. Gravely Nature Preserve is located along the Smith River, includes several miles of hiking trails and contains a historic cemetery. The trails at Lauren Mountain Preserve border the Smith River. Fisher Farm Park covers 127 acres and offers wooded areas to explore nature. In Collinsville Jaycee Park, a 1.25-mile trail leads through the woods along a year-round stream, with opportunities to observe wildlife.

For cyclists and walkers, the 10.7-mile paved Dick & Willie Passage Rail Trail is a notable option. It is suitable for walking, cycling, running and roller skating. The trail follows the former route of the Danville and Western Railroad and uses signs to provide information about the history of this railway line. At the Fisher Street Trailhead, Bike MHC lends bicycles and helmets to visitors and residents free of charge. A shorter loop is offered by the 1.3-mile paved walking trail at the Monogram Foods Smith River Sports Complex, which runs partly parallel to the Smith River. Jack Dalton Park also has a 6/10-mile paved and lighted walking path.

History, Motorsports and Events

Those who want to learn about the region's culture can visit the Martinsville-Henry County Heritage Center & Museum in the former Henry County Courthouse. The Bassett Historical Center houses more than 20,000 genealogical books and manuscripts, more than 10,000 genealogical family files and more than 3,000 local history files. The Martinsville & Henry County Historic Driving Tour presents heritage connected with tobacco, furniture and textile manufacturing. Unless otherwise indicated, the sites on this tour are intended to be viewed from the road.

Martinsville Speedway was founded in 1947 and has hosted NASCAR Cup Series races every year since 1949; it can also be explored as part of a self-guided tour. Smith River Fest takes place annually in August at the Smith River Sports Complex. Jack Dalton Park hosts a Kite Festival every March with hands-on activities and various vendors. The Monogram Foods Smith River Sports Complex is also designed for sports camps and clinics, league games, exhibition games, tournaments and special events. Canoe Fun Floats offers canoe courses and canoe trips on nearby waterways throughout the year.

Finding the Right Accommodation

When choosing your vacation apartment or vacation home, you can use your preferred travel focus as a starting point. For water activities, Philpott Lake and the various Smith River access points are important reference points. Those who prefer hiking or cycling can include the parks mentioned, the Dick & Willie Passage Rail Trail and the greenway options in their planning. Visitors interested in culture are more likely to focus on the historic facilities, the driving tour and the speedway.

As another destination to consider, you can review Ridgeway. For further comparison within the same destination area, Louisa County, Nelson County, Bedford County, Giles County, Buckingham County, Dinwiddie County and Madison County are also available.

For the broader travel overview: Virginia.