Philpott Lake is a 3,000 acre beauty with 100 miles of shoreline surrounded by 20,000 acres of undeveloped state and federal land. It’s no surprise that there are seven trails offering varying experiences.
Dogwood Glen Trail is a 4.5 mile (one way) shared-used trail open to hikers, mountain bicyclists, and equestrians. The trail is moderate to strenuous in difficulty, apx. 7 feet wide, and traverses through beautiful hardwood forest connecting the Philpott Dam Tailrace to Salthouse Branch Park along the Franklin County side of Philpott Lake with various stretches running along the shoreline.
The trail starts off from the dam with a moderate climb for approximately 2/10 of a mile where it intersects a fire road. It then runs along the fire road for 1.3 miles. Then it separates from the fire road and continues to Salthouse Branch Park. There are some tough climbs and a few short downhill segments. The main trail is designated by blue markings painted on trees; spur trails are designated by red markings painted on trees.
The trail can be accessed from Philpott Dam (Franklin County side) or Salthouse Branch Park. Parking is limited at Salthouse Branch Park and not accessible for equestrians at that location. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash.
