Franklin, Tennessee is a quaint city located just south of Nashville. The city was first founded in 1799 and was named after Benjamin Franklin. Originally, Franklin was a hub for the plantation economy and remained a wealthy county in Tennessee. When the Civil War started, Franklin became an occupied territory by Union troops. During this time, the Battle of Franklin was fought, becoming one of the deadliest battles throughout the entirety of the Civil War. It is estimated that the Battle of Franklin saw more than 8,000 casualties.
After the battles of the Civil War, Franklin saw a drastic dip in their economy. Since the late 1800s, Franklin has continued to rebuild their economy. Today, Franklin has become a flourishing historical town. The city offers sites of the Civil War, museums, historical homes, and more. For history enthusiasts, Rippa Villa Plantation, Carter House, and Carnton House are all popular spots for guided tours through Civil War territory.
Franklin currently has a population of over 85,000 people. Over the past five years, the city has seen a boom in population growth. While it is known as a great place to raise a family, Franklin is a popular area for tourists and offers an abundance of things to do. When visiting Franklin, many tourists spend time walking through the historic downtown. This area is home to coffee shops, antique stores and boutiques, and restaurants.
Franklin is also home to CoolSprings Galleria, an expansive shopping mall nuzzled in the heart of Franklin that is a popular shopping destination for locals and visitors alike. This indoor mall has over 150 specialty stores and several department stores. The area surrounding the mall is a commercialized spot with restaurants and popular stores.
Campgrounds Near Franklin, Tennessee
Franklin has a multitude of campgrounds and RV parks. Fall Hollow RV Park is in nearby Hohenwald, Tennessee, and is just a short drive from Franklin. RV sites range from $25 to $45 per night. Sites are equipped with water, electric, and sewer hookups, and Wi-Fi is also available.
Anderson Road Campground is in Nashville, surrounded by Percy Priest Lake. RV sites are equipped with electric hookups. These sites can be reserved online and nightly rates range from $14 to $24. The campground has restrooms, showers, and a dump station on site.
Clarksville RV Resort, while a bit further from Franklin, is a beautiful RV park with fantastic amenities. This park offers pull-through sites for large RVs, accompanied by electric and water hookups as well as Wi-Fi. Sites at Clarksville RV Resort start at $30 per night and increase based on RV size. Clarksville RV Resort recommends checking availability and booking reservations online.
State Parks Near Franklin, Tennessee
Cedars of Lebanon State Park is a large state park under an hour east of Franklin. This park gets its name from the multitude of red cedar trees surrounding the area. The site became a state park in the 1950s. There are over 1,100 acres to explore via hiking, camping, and horseback riding. Cedars of Lebanon State Park has 117 campsites, offering picnic tables, and electric and water hookups. There is also a group cabin for large groups, capable of sleeping 80 people. There are three bathhouses spread throughout the park and a dump station onsite.
Montgomery Bell State Park is also under an hour from Franklin. This state park offers opportunities for boating, swimming, and hiking. There is also an 18-hole golf course at the park that is nationally recognized as one of the best places to play golf. Montgomery Bell State Park gets its name from the wealthy industrialist who founded the first major iron furnace. The park houses three lakes and over 3,800 acres of scenery. There are campsites available at the park, however, they are by reservation only. Montgomery Bell State Park has 40 RV sites with full hook-ups, 47 basic RV sites, and 22 primitive campsites. RV owners can take advantage of two dump stations and three bathhouses.
Henry Horton State Park is about 30 minutes from Franklin in the city of Chapel Hill, Tennessee. This park spans over 1,500 acres, including a large part of the Duck River. This river is known as one of the most bio-diverse rivers in the world, having more fish species per mile than any other river in North America. This site is widely used for fishing within the Duck River, as well as swimming in the park’s seasonal pool. The Buford Ellington Gold Course is also located within the park, offering an 18-hole, par 72 course. There are 76 campsites located along the Duck River, of which 54 offer water and electric hookups as well as Wi-Fi. Pets are welcome when camping at Henry Horton, however, they must remain on a leash.
National Sites Near Franklin, Tennessee
Russell Cave National Monument, while located in Alabama, is a quick two-hour drive from Franklin. This national monument is an archeological site documenting records of prehistoric cultures. Within the cave, archeologists have uncovered large quantities of artifacts, showcasing the development and culture of American Indians. The artifacts are believed to be thousands of years old. Russell Cave is known to have been the shelter that American Indians in this area used during the winter months.
Little River Canyon National Preserve is a national site in northeastern Alabama. This site, stretching over 15,000 acres, displays The Little River. This river is widely known for being one of the only rivers to flow along the top of a mountain range. Little River Canyon National Preserve is home to canyons, caverns, and valleys of spectacular scenery. There are several endangered plants throughout the preserve, in addition to a great diversity of wildlife. Visitors can stop by numerous swimming holes and spend time hiking through twisty trails. This national preserve is also a great area for whitewater rafting. In this area, rapids are categorized as dangerous without an expert guide.
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park is a memorial to the birthplace of the United States of America’s 16th president. This historic park is in Kentucky and presents the small log cabin that Abraham Lincoln and his family inhabited during the first two years of Lincoln’s life. Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park showcases two memorials to commemorate the great works that Abraham Lincoln accomplished throughout his life. This national site is approximately 150 miles northeast of Franklin.
National Forests Near Franklin, Tennessee
Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area is a great national forest stretching through parts of Kentucky and Tennessee. This recreation area spans over 170,000 acres of public BLM land, stretching between Kentucky Lake and Barkley Lake. There are over 500 miles of trails, offering opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Some areas are equipped for off-highway vehicles. Dispersed tent camping is allowed in any area of Land Between the Lakes, however, there are also full hook-up campsites available. There are 1,400 campsites for RV camping. Camping areas have fire rings, and many are equipped with boat ramps, depending on your proximity to the lakes.
William B. Bankhead National Forest is a range of 181,230 acres in Alabama. This national forest is known as the “land of a thousand waterfalls,” due to its breathtaking waterfalls spanning throughout the site. Here, visitors can spend time hiking through thriving scenery, horseback riding, or wading in the Sipsey Fork River. There are over 90 miles of recreational trails waiting to be explored. This national forest is equipped with campgrounds open from April through October. Campsites are equipped with electrical and water hookups for easy RV travel. During the open season, campsites can be reserved online to ensure a reservation.
Hoosier National Forest is located north of Franklin, outside of Bloomington, Indiana. This forest area includes over 200,000 acres of streams, lakes, and reservoirs. This site is a popular spot for fishing and boating. For dry activities, visitors can explore more than 265 miles of trails via hiking, biking, or horseback riding. For camping, Hoosier National Forest offers opportunities for RV camping, cabin rentals, and primitive camping. There are several developed campgrounds within Hoosier National Forest, including Blackwell Horsecamp, Hardin Ridge Recreation Area, and Saddle Lake Recreation Area. RVs are welcome within Hoosier National Forest. Many RV sites are equipped with full services, including electric and water hookups, as well as dump stations nearby.
