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Boones Mill, Rocky Mount & Franklin County Area

About Boones Mill, Rocky Mount & Franklin County Area

Bordered by serene farmlands and majestic forested ridges, Rocky Mount is a thriving small town that has served as Franklin County‘s government, service, and business center since 1786. The town provides services to many smaller rural communities, yet is within easy access to the larger cities of Roanoke, Virginia and Greensboro, North Carolina and is located only 20 miles from scenic Smith Mountain Lake.

The area’s history is celebrated through the influence of many cultures including English, Scots-Irish, German, and African-American heritage. Visitors can experience the lasting legacy of these groups along The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail whose Eastern gateway begins in Rocky Mount.

A short trip to the northeast delivers travelers to the Booker T. Washington National Monument in the unincorporated community of Moneta. The site houses an interpretive center, walking trails and reconstructions of the nineteenth century farm buildings similar to those that stood on the Burroughs Plantation where Washington was born and spent the first nine years of his life.

Area Visitor Centers

Smith Mountain Lake

Lodging, Dining, & Things to Do

Stories from Boones Mill, Rocky Mount & Franklin County Area

9 Hints for Planning a Successful Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip
June 16, 2022
History & Heritage, Hiking Trails, Wildlife, Arts & Culture
I bet most of us have an example of a vacation that didn’t go as planned. A road was closed, a parking lot was full, traffic slowed or halted your progress to your destination. It throws a wrench into your travel plans and can even derail your trip. So, what should you do to help prepare for the unexpected? Here are nine practical tips for planning a successful Blue Ridge Parkway road trip.
A retriever lies in front of the LOVEwork in Wytheville which highlights trains, hot air balloons and the town's location at the crossroads of I-77 and I-81.
Virginia is for Photograph Lovers
September 16, 2021
Driving Tour, Family-friendly, Budget-Friendly, Motorcycle-Friendly, Road Trip
Virginia's creative and sometimes whimsical LOVEworks are a wonderful photo opportunity. Why not start a new tradition and make some family memories finding and photographing a few LOVE signs while enjoying the out of doors this year?
A purple women's sweater hangs over a black shirt and necklace in a store.
Tis the Season to Shop Online
December 4, 2020
Online Store, General & Country Stores, Apparel, Gems & Minerals, Home & Garden, Local Food
Many of the businesses along the Blue Ridge Parkway remain open year-round and offer such eclectic merchandise that you can shop for everyone on your holiday gift list from the comfort of your home and have the gifts delivered to your door or directly to the recipient.
A Blue Ridge Parkway overpass in Fancy Gap, VA displays stonework from the 1930s.
Tours, Trails and Routes to Stimulate Your Senses
October 14, 2020
Artisan Trails, Craft Beer, Driving Tour, Food & Beverage Trails, Live Music, Local Food, Farms & Agriculture, Motorcycle Route, Music Trails, Wine Lovers
These routes offer sites worth visiting that promise to tickle your taste buds, enthrall your eyes and enchant your ears. There are tours, routes and trails to suit every traveler, taste, and location from Tennessee to Virginia.
Blue Ridge Farm Museum offers a view of a historic farmstead including structures and gardens.
Exploring Farms & Orchards Along the Blue Ridge
August 26, 2020
Farm Stay, Farms & Agriculture, Farming Heritage, Working Farm
The Blue Ridge Mountains are dotted with farms producing everything from Christmas trees to trout. Fruit, flowers, herbs, jams, jellies, pies, wreaths and other crafts are all produced right here in the mountains. And what better way to get outside this year than to enjoy the fresh air of a mountain farm?
Price Lake is located right on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Where to Beat the Heat & Swim Along the BRP
July 15, 2019
Water Sports, Swimming, Lakeside, Seasonal, Family-friendly
If you're wondering where to go swimming during your Blue Ridge Parkway trip, we've rounded up all the best spots. While there are some beautiful waters located right on the Parkway itself, swimming is not allowed in Parkway waters. But there are no shortage of great swimming holes nearby, as well as guided rafting tours, kayak rentals, tubing, and some beautiful lakeside rentals.