Railroad history, striking rock formations, hiking trails, and waterside activities give you several ways to plan a trip to Franklin County. You can organize your days around the things that interest you most: historic sites, nature experiences, or time by the lake. When choosing, it’s worth looking at the specific differences between the options—for example, trail length, season, and access.
Railroad History and Cultural Sites
From 1856 to 1985, the Mountain Goat Railroad transported coal and passengers between Palmer and Cowan in Grundy and Franklin Counties on the Cumberland Plateau. The Cowan Railroad Museum is an official Tennessee State Railroad Museum. It is located in the Cowan Depot, a local landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Old Jail Museum offers a different historical perspective: its collection includes artifacts from the Civil War and pioneer era, as well as memorabilia related to Dinah Shore. The museum is within walking distance of downtown Winchester. If you’re interested in visiting a historic mill, Falls Mill offers public tours Thursday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., from April through November. Since tours are seasonal, check the current hours before you travel.
In Cowan, the Artisan Depot Gallery & Gift Shop displays art, handcrafted items, and special gifts by artists from the region and surrounding area. Its program includes community art exhibitions and workshops. Free Creative Connections workshops are offered, along with special classes in topics such as glass fusing, gel plate printing, and leather journal making. Check the current program if you’d like to plan your visit around an exhibition or class.
Another cultural thread leads to the High on the Hog Festival: after the first event was held in Winchester in 1987, the committee decided to make it an annual festival. This history adds a festival to the museum and railroad themes, one whose beginnings can be traced to a specific year.
Rock Formations and Nature
The Walls of Jericho form a bowl-shaped amphitheater with steep, 200-foot vertical rock walls. Another striking formation is Natural Bridge: the sandstone arch is 25 feet high and spans 50 feet, with a viewpoint overlooking Lost Cove. Point Disappointment offers views of nearly all of Lost Cove. These details can help you choose between different landscape experiences: an amphitheater enclosed by rock walls, an arch with a view, or a viewpoint overlooking the cove.
At the Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lee Carter State Natural Area, the main entrance to Buggytop Cave is 100 feet wide and 80 feet high. The protected area also has a 2-mile one-way hiking trail and cave tours. Check access information before your trip. If you’re interested in plants, Hawkins Cove State Natural Area is home to the protected Cumberland rosinweed, a sunflower species found only on Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau.
The season can also play a role in your choice: wildflowers bloom in Shakerag Hollow in spring. Bald eagles, ospreys, and various waterfowl are commonly found around Owl Hollow Mill WMA. Owl Hollow Mill WMA is accessible primarily by boat; some areas can be reached on foot via Highway 50 west of Winchester. Check access options before your visit.
Choose Hiking Trails by Length and Character
The Sewanee Perimeter Trail can be hiked as a 20-mile route. Its markers are blue; side trails in Sewanee are marked in white. The hike to Bridal Veil Falls starts at Lake Cheston, is 2.2 miles long, and is an out-and-back route.
Another option is the paved section of the Mountain Goat Trail between Sewanee and Monteagle. It is almost six miles long and open to pedestrians, runners, and cyclists; the section starts in downtown Sewanee. The trail’s status may change as construction progresses, so it’s a good idea to check access information before making plans. This makes it easy to distinguish between a longer hiking route, an out-and-back trail to a waterfall, and a paved trail section based on their stated features.
Plan Time by the Water
Tims Ford State Park is located on Tims Ford Reservoir; reservations are required for every campsite in the park and can be made online. Check the reservation terms before planning a campsite stay. Tims Ford Lake offers boating opportunities. The lake is also the site of the Franklin County Chamber’s annual Poker Run. Event dates can change, so check the latest schedule before you travel.
Woods Reservoir has five public boat access points, including Franklin County Access. Largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, yellow bass, and channel catfish are listed as target species for fishing there. The combination of designated access points and specific fish species gives you two practical reference points for planning a visit to the reservoir.
To find your way around Franklin County, the Visit Tims Ford Passport helps you discover local businesses, restaurants, attractions, and hidden gems. Participation information may change; check it if you plan to use the Passport. Discover more destinations: Decherd, Sewanee, Morgan County, Rutherford, Haywood County, Crockett County, Monroe County, Campbell County.
For the broader travel overview: Tennessee.
