Philpott Lake Blueway

Philpott Lake, in the southern part of Franklin County, is known for excellent fishing and is considered Virginia's best smallmouth bass and trout lake. Nestled among the rolling foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge, Philpott Lake is a scenic wonderland. The lake covers 3,000 acres with 100 miles of pristine shoreland. Visitors to the lake are always amazed at the natural beauty of the area. Most areas are under forest cover. There are numerous recreational opportunities, including boating, swimming, picnicking, hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation. The lake has eight campgrounds, six beach areas, and nine boat launches. Visitors to Philpott should begin with a trip to the Visitor Assistance Center. There are numerous facilities scattered throughout the lake such as boat landings, a campground, and picnic areas. The lake was built by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1948 and 1951, with it opening in 1953. Philpott Lake is convenient to Greensboro, NC (60 miles), Raleigh, NC (130 miles), and Richmond, VA (190 miles).