Salthouse Branch Park

Salthouse Branch Park offers a convenient boat ramp and access point to explore the scenic Smith River and Philpott Lake. This rural recreation area in the Blue Ridge Mountains foothills provides direct water access, as well as camping, picnicking, and other amenities.

The boat ramp is located within the larger Salthouse Branch Campground, which offers both reservable campsites and primitive camping options. Campers must obtain a permit from the on-site gatehouse. While the ramp itself has no additional fees, boaters should be aware that there are multiple other public launch sites around Philpott Lake that may have their own requirements.

Philpott Lake is a 3,000-acre reservoir known for its clear waters and mountain vistas. The lake and surrounding public lands offer excellent opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and motorized boating. Paddlers can explore the Philpott Lake Blueway, a network of marked water trails with interpretive signage. With multiple access points around the lake, boaters have flexibility to plan trips of varying lengths and difficulties.

Overview
Salthouse Branch Campground is nestled on the shores of Philpott Lake in the rugged foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. The park is located in a rural and sparsely populated part of Franklin County near the small community of Henry. Philpott Lake's clear water and natural shoreline make it a unique place for visitors to enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, picnicking and camping....

Overview
Salthouse Branch Campground is nestled on the shores of Philpott Lake in the rugged foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. The park is located in a rural and sparsely populated part of Franklin County near the small community of Henry. Philpott Lake's clear water and natural shoreline make it a unique place for visitors to enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, picnicking and camping. Click here for the Philpott Lake Virtual Tour: https://corpslakes.erdc.dren.mil/visitors/virtual/philpott/tour.html
Recreation
The lake provides visitors with great boating and swimming opportunities. Anglers enjoy fishing for large and smallmouth bass, walleye, bluegill, crappie and catfish.There are two hiking trails accessible from the park. The Dogwood Glen trail is a 4.5 mile out-and-back, multi-use trail open to hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. The trail is moderate to strenuous in difficulty and connects Salthouse Branch Park to the Philpott Dam Tailrace. The Laurel Ridge trail is 2.25 miles out-and-back trail open to hikers and mountain bikers. It is moderate in difficulty and connects Salthouse Branch Park to Twin Ridge Park. 

Facilities
The park offers both camping and day-use facilities, including 44 family sites with electric and water hookups and one group picnic shelter with electric and water. Also available are 46 primitive sites without utilities.Amenities include flush toilets, showers, drinking water and a dump station. A beach, boat ramp, dock, playground, and amphitheater are also on-site.
Natural Features
Philpott Lake covers 2,900 acres and has 100 miles of shoreline. The lake's steep, rocky banks meet beautiful mixed forests of oak, maple, hickory, pine and cedar.

Wildlife is abundant throughout the area. Deer, turkeys, squirrels, raccoons, and a variety of songbirds and waterfowl are commonly viewed.
Nearby Attractions
The lake is adjacent to Fairystone State Park and Fairystone Farms Wildlife Management Area, which includes 5,300 acres of public recreational lands.

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