4 Favorite Local Parks You Can Drive to Near Franklin, NC

Situated within the Nantahala National Forest, the city of Franklin, NC, is a popular spot among travelers wanting to explore the sprawling nature reserves of the state. If you are looking for the best offroad destinations you can visit in your brand-new 2022 Ford F-150, here are three nearby state parks you can reach in less than one hour by car. Explore Nature With Your Ford: 3 State Parks Near Franklin, NC 1. Black Rock Mountain State Park Featuring a visitor center, cottages, family campgrounds, and breathtaking mountain views, Black Rock Mountain State Park is a fantastic place to spend a weekend with your friends and family. Open year-round between 7:00 am and 10:00 pm, this public recreation area is located just over 20 miles south of Franklin and can be reached in about half an hour via Georgia Road. more Encompassing an area of over 1,700 acres, Black Rock Mountain State Park sits in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains and provides scenic overlooks. On sunny days, four different states are visible from the high points of this state park: South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia. Some of the activities you can enjoy here include boating and fishing at Black Rock Lake, wildlife watching, and birding. 2. Oconee State Park A rustic mountain park offering access to a small lake and welcoming nature lovers from all over the region, Oconee State Park is an excellent spot to visit and enjoy your favorite outdoor activities. Created and developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression, this place features several historic structures that were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. Oconee State Park is located about 45 miles southeast of downtown Franklin and can be reached in about one hour via route NC-28. This place is a well-known destination among local anglers, offering great opportunities to catch large specimens of bream, bass, channel catfish, rainbow trout, and bluegill. Other popular activities include hiking, mountain biking, camping, and wildlife watching. 3. Tallulah Gorge State Park Located a little under 35 miles south of the Franklin city center, Tallulah Gorge State Park is one of the most scenic destinations you can visit while exploring the region. Boasting a series of impressive waterfalls and a 1,000-ft. gorge, this place is a magnet for nature lovers and a wonderful spot to spend a day away from the city. This place offers great opportunities for rock climbing, swimming, and whitewater paddling. If you are planning a visit to these and other beautiful nature reserves, having a reliable, all-wheel drive vehicle is a must. Visit us today at Franklin Ford, check out our extensive lineup of new and used models, get a quote, and apply for financing with the assistance of our friendly sales agents.

Franklin, NC is home to some stunning nature activities for you and your friends to check out, as well as some amazing dessert places for you to stop by afterwards. After you've been on a long hike and are looking for something sweet and refreshing, take your 2022 Ford Edge, enjoy its intelligent AWD that will help make your drive extra smooth, and go check out one of the great ice cream shops located nearby! 1. Brain Freeze Fun Frozen Custard Brain Freeze Fun Frozen Custard is a family-owned and operated shop that is open Tuesday-Sunday. The shop's menu includes cups, cones, and sundaes and has both 2. Main Street Coffee and Yogurt Main Street Coffee and Yogurt is open daily and serves frozen yogurt, coffee and tea, frozen fruit blasts, donuts, pastries, chais, hot chocolate, and more. The shop offers 24 toppings that you can pair with its frozen yogurt, and past available frozen yogurt flavors include Georgia peach, country vanilla, strawberry, Dole pineapple, and classic chocolate. If you're more in the mood for a drink, be sure to try one of Main Street Coffee and Yogurt's frappes! more 3. Jack the Dipper Jack the Dipper is a family-favorite shop that sells old-fashioned, hand-dipped scoops and warm waffle cones. The shop is open daily and its menu includes waffle cones and bowls, 32 scoop flavors, banana splits, shakes, malts, and more. Available scoop flavors include chocolate chip cookie dough, pistachio almond, mint chocolate chip, and homemade vanilla. If you're looking for a low-sugar flavor option, Jack the Dipper also offers no-sugar-added butter pecan. 4. Cinnamon Hill Gelato and Pastries Cinnamon Hill Gelato and Pastries specializes in Italian gelato and European pastries and is open Wednesday-Saturday. The shop's gelato treats menu includes cake cones, waffle cones, cups, sundaes, Italian ice, and more. Available European pastries include French fruit tarts, swan eclairs, Lebanese baklava, Neapolitan cookies, and pecan cinnamon rolls. If you're looking for an extra filling treat, be sure to try Cinnamon Hill's Mount Vesuvius. Now that you've had a refreshing treat, it's a great opportunity to look for the new car you've been wanting. Stop by Franklin Ford today and browse through our assortment of new and pre-owned Ford vehicles! We believe that building strong relationships with our customers matters, and we look forward to helping you in any way we can to make sure that your dealership experience is a great one.

Franklin is home to gorgeous scenery, fantastic trails, and fascinating gem mines that provide numerous recreational, educational, and entertainment options. But after taking in everything this unique town has to offer, there's still plenty more to explore within driving distance to keep the adventures going. Read on to learn about a few fun day trips that you can take near Franklin, NC. 1. Athens, GA Athens is a little under two hours from Franklin and is full of character and charm. Offering art and culture opportunities, a stunning botanical garden, tasty restaurants, and recreational opportunities, this town is a gem. Check out the Georgia Museum of Art or the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. If you are visiting with kids, visit Memorial Park and Bear Hollow Zoo for fun and adventure. If you would like to shop while in town, visit downtown Athens for an eclectic and unique shopping experience or Georgia Square Mall if you are looking for larger retailers. more 2. Asheville, NC Asheville is just over an hour away in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. If you enjoy craft beer, stunning mountain scenery, historic architecture, and a laid-back vibe, you will love Asheville. Visit Pack Square Park for beautiful green space and walking paths. The park also hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year. Or visit the Biltmore Estate. This sprawling property offers so many things to do and see that are incredibly impressive. In addition, be sure to check out the Walking Ghost Tour and take in a little haunted history. 3. Great Smoky Mountains, TN/NC Perfect for a quick trip, you can choose from many towns to visit within the Smoky Mountains, including North Carolina and Tennesee. If you are a nature lover, this is a trip you have to take. Between the breathtaking scenery, waterfalls, recreational and entertainment options, and neat towns, you can't go wrong with a trip to the Smokies. Choose from staying in cabins, hotels, and resorts, or take in the outdoor experience and go camping in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, to name just a few options. Visit the shopping districts and hiking trails, or take a helicopter ride during the day. Then check out the unique entertainment and food options at night, such as dinner shows or comedy acts. Don't forget to stop by Dollywood to round out your trip. 4. Chatuge Lake, GA Are you ready for some fun in the sun? Then head out to Chatuge Lake and enjoy all the area has to offer. Located less than an hour away is a picturesque lake that offers swimming, fishing, boating, and camping opportunities for the outdoor lover. Rent a boat or bring your own. Camp lakeside or in the woods in a more secluded setting. Spend the day hiking, swimming, or horseback riding. No matter what the outdoor adventure, the odds are you can find it at Chatuge Lake. With public swim areas, playgrounds, and a nearby golf club, the area offers fun for the whole family.These are just a few fantastic nearby places that will keep your adventures going. And we have the perfect car, truck, or SUV to keep you exploring! Visit Franklin Ford today and let our friendly staff find the perfect vehicle for you!