From scenic mountain views to crystal clear water, Franklin County is home to not one but two amazing lakes, Smith Mountain Lake to the Northeast and Philpott Lake to the Southwest.
Smith Mountain Lake
Smith Mountain Lake, affectionately known as the "Jewel of the Blue Ridge", features over 500 miles of shoreline and covers nearly 20,600 acres of outdoor adventure. After spending a day on the lake fishing, tubing or wakeboarding, travel by boat or by vehicle to one of the many great restaurants around the lake for a relaxed waterfront dining experience.
Smith Mountain Lake is also home to world class fishing including striped bass, largemouth and smallmouth bass, flathead and channel catfish, carp, and a multitude of smaller gamefish. Annually, the lake is home to two Big Bass Tour events (May & September), Major League Fishing Phoenix Bass Fishing League events (March & April), weekly local tournaments and the annual "Smith Mountain Lake Fishing Tournament", a multi-species tournament.
For boating enthusiasts, the 20,600 acres of Smith Mountain Lake offers an aquatic playground for sightseeing, skiing, wakeboarding, wake surfing or just a cruise down the lake. Boaters have the opportunity to choose their own setting for adventure from a quiet wooded cove to the action-packed Bridgewater Plaza.
Philpott Lake
If you're looking for a more laid-back approach to a day on the water, look no further than Philpott Lake in the Southwestern portion of Franklin County. This 2,880-acre lake is a paddlers dream featuring miles of picturesque, undeveloped shorelines to explore.
Begin your Philpott Lake adventure at one of the numerous campgrounds and recreational areas dotting the perimeter of the lake before finding your own slice of cool mountain paradise. Philpott offers unique angling opportunities for not only largemouth bass but the elusive walleye, trout and the potential for trophy sized catfish.
From traditional heritage music along The Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail, to your all-time favorite band at the Harvester Performance or The Coves Amphitheater, to local favorites playing nightly around the County, Franklin County is bursting with opportunities to tickle you ears!
The Crooked Road: Virginia Heritage Music Trail
Franklin County serves as the "Eastern Gateway to The Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail". This 330-mile driving trail begins in Downtown Rocky Mount before winding its way through the mountains of Southwest Virginia, including nineteen counties, four cities, and over fifty towns.
While heritage music is the focal point of The Crooked Road, outdoor recreation, museums, crafts, historical and cultural programs all play a huge part in telling the authentic "Crooked Road" story.
The Harvester Performance Center
Photo Courtesy Virginia's Blue Ridge and Jennie Marie Photographie
The Harvester Performance Center is an indoor, mid-sized music venue located in Downtown Rocky Mount, VA and serving the greater Franklin County and Smith Mountain Lake Community. The Center features main room seating of up to 446 people with a capacity of 700 in a standup configuration.
Performers and music lovers with experience a 40-foot-wide stage with amazing lighting and state-of-the-art audio, lighting and video.
The Covers Amphitheater
Photo Courtesy of the Coves at Smith Mountain Lake
Located on the edge of Smith Mountain Lake VA, The Coves Amphitheater was designed and built to provide a one-of-a-kind music venue for world-class talent. Designed to be a gathering place for lovers of all musical genres, The Coves Amphitheater was integrated into Smith Mountain Lake's first sustainable community. In its first year, The Coves Amphitheater has commitments from over 10 musical artists to perform at this unique venue. From Grammy award winners to local talent, The Coves Amphitheater will showcase the best-in-class talent for years to come.
Culture, history and an authentic Blue Ridge experience await you in Franklin County. From rich African-American history, to history spanning the first 250 years of our country, to cultural music and artisans our county offers a wealth of historical opportunity.
Booker T. Washington National Monument
Photo Courtesy Virginia's Blue Ridge and Jennie Marie Photographie
The Booker T. Washington National Monument features a visitor center containing exhibits and an audio-visual presentation that orient visitors to the life of Booker T. Washington. The monument also features two walking trails, a picnic area, a farm area, and a garden area.
The monument is open to the public daily, year round from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is only closed on Thanksgiving Day, December 25 and January 1.
Blue Ridge Institute and Farm Museum
Photo Courtesy Blue Ridge Institute and Farm Museum
The Blue Ridge Institute and Farm Museumon the campus of Ferrum College is currently celebrating it's 50th year of operation and the50th anniversary of the annual"Blue Ridge Folklife Festival"that is held every October. The institute is currently housing an exhibit on "Travel Trinkets" and is home to the weekly "Monday Night Jam".
The institute serves as The State Center for Blue Ridge Folklore and is a major venue along The Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail. Ferrum College's Appalachian Music program hosts a weekly Monday Night Jam Session that is open to the community inside of the institute.
The farm museumportion of the property features an accurate representation of an1800's rural Blue Ridge farm with period buildings, garden, and livestock.
Franklin County History Museum and Research Library
Photo Courtesy Franklin County Historical Society
The Franklin County History Museum & Research Library located in Rocky Mount, serves as source of information with a mission of collecting and preserving the history of Franklin County, Virginia. The museum features a special "co*ke & Shine" Display highlighting the regions connection with illegal spirit distillation and the Coca-Cola Bottling Company.
The museum is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and it is recommended that you call prior to visiting (540-483-1890).
