Franklin Vacation Rentals, Hotels, Weather, Map and Attractions

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Franklin , the “Gem of the Smokies,” is located on the banks of the Little Tennessee River near the Cullasaja River Gorge. It’s surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest, and is best known for its gem mines, mountain crafts and natural beauty. Several mines in the area are open for public prospecting, including Jacobs Ruby Mine, the Cherokee Rubies and Sapphires Mine and the Old Cardinal Gem Mine. Several scenic drives, recreational areas and waterfalls are in the Franklin area, and just a short drive will take you to Asheville and the Biltmore Estate and the Smoky Mountain Railroad. Popular activities in the Franklin area, besides gem mining, include whitewater rafting, canoeing, mountain biking, horseback riding, trout fishing and golf. Approximately 600 miles of trails, including part of the Appalachian Trail, meander through the Nantahala Forest, making it a hikers’ paradise. For wintertime fun, Franklin is just minutes to the Scaly Mountain ski area, which offers downhill skiing, sledding and snowboarding. You’ll find a variety of accommodations and restaurants in Franklin, from fast food to fine dining, along with antique shops, art galleries and craft shops. Franklin likes to say it’s “large enough to offer almost anything you need, but small enough to have the highest quality of life.” One visit to this charming mountain town and you’ll agree.

Surrounding areas: Alarka, North Carolina (12.5 mi), Lake Glenville, North Carolina (13.0 mi), Highlands, North Carolina (13.7 mi), Aquone, North Carolina (14.0 mi), Cullowhee, North Carolina (14.8 mi), Dillsboro, North Carolina (15.0 mi), Nantahala Gorge, North Carolina (15.9 mi)

Franklin Vacation Rentals

Franklin Weather & Climate

The Mountains of North Carolina range from 800 feet to over 6,600 feet and topography affects the local weather. Expect temperatures to be 10 to 20 degrees cooler on the mountaintops. Spring is unpredictable, particularly at the higher elevations. Snow may fall in March, but by May, things warm up with daytime highs in the 80s. Summer is warm and humid, but more pleasant at the higher elevations. Afternoon showers and thunderstorms are common in the summertime. Winter is generally moderate, but extreme conditions can occur in the mountains. It%u2019s not unusual to have warm temperatures in the valleys and snow in the higher areas. In the lowlands, snows of one inch or more occur just 1-5 times per year. More frequent and deeper snows fall at the higher elevations.

Month	High Temp	Low Temp	Rainfall	Ocean Temp
January	47°F	24°F	5.39 in.	-
February	52°F	25°F	4.89 in.	-
March	60°F	32°F	5.76 in.	-
April	68°F	38°F	4.09 in.	-
May	75°F	49°F	4.90 in.	-
June	81°F	57°F	4.49 in.	-
July	84°F	61°F	4.09 in.	-
August	83°F	61°F	4.48 in.	-
September	77°F	55°F	3.94 in.	-
October	69°F	41°F	3.29 in.	-
November	59°F	32°F	4.58 in.	-
December	50°F	26°F	4.57 in.	-

Franklin Map & Transportation



Click each thumbnail image to enlarge.

The closest airports in the area are the Asheville Regional airport (AVL) located about 50 miles east of Franklin in Asheville, North Carolina, the Mc Ghee Tyson airport (TYS) located approximately 55 miles northwest of Franklin in Knoxville, Tennessee, the Donaldson Center airport (GYH) located roughly 64 miles southeast of Franklin in Greenville, South Carolina, and finally the Greenville Spartanburg International airport (GSP) located around 68 miles southeast of Franklin in Greer, South Carolina.

Franklin Attractions


Amusement and Theme Parks
Cherokee Fun Park	Cherokee	NC	20.7 mi.
Santa's Land	Cherokee	NC	20.7 mi.
Ghost Town in the Sky	Maggie Valley	NC	28.3 mi.
Dollywood	Pigeon Forge	TN	43.1 mi.
Rockin' Raceway	Pigeon Forge	TN	43.1 mi.
NASCAR SpeedPark	Sevierville	TN	48.6 mi.

Water Parks
Lake Lanier Island Beach & Water Park	Lake Lanier Island	GA	78.6 mi.
White Water Park	Marietta	GA	107.9 mi.

Golf Courses
Franklin Golf Course	Franklin	NC
Mill Creek Country Club	Franklin	NC
Highlands Cove	Highlands	NC	13.4 mi.
Trillium Links & Lake Club	Cashiers	NC	16.7 mi.
Smoky Mountain Country Club	Whittier	NC	17.3 mi.
Rabun Country Golf Club	Clayton	GA	21.5 mi.
Chatuge Shores Golf Course	Hayesville	NC	26.3 mi.
Mountain Harbour Golf & Yacht Club	Hayesville	NC	26.3 mi.

Ski Areas
Scaly Mountain	Scaly Mountain	NC	12.3 mi.
Cataloochee	Maggie Valley	NC	28.3 mi.
Ski Wolf Laurel	Mars Hill	NC	64.8 mi.
Ski Beech	Banner Elk	NC	108.7 mi.
Sugar Mountain Ski Area	Banner Elk	NC	108.7 mi.
Hawksnest Golf & Ski Resort	Seven Devils	NC	110.1 mi.

State Parks
Black Rock Mountain State Park		GA	19.5 mi.
Moccasin Creek State Park		GA	26.1 mi.
Oconee State Park		SC	27.3 mi.
Chatuge State Park		GA	28.6 mi.
Keowee Toxaway State Park		SC	33.7 mi.
Unicoi State Park		GA	37.2 mi.
Table Rock State Park		SC	40.0 mi.

Museums
South Carolina Gold Museum	Pickens	SC	43.4 mi.	(Miscellaneous)
Sequoyah Birthplace Museum	Vonore	TN	56.2 mi.	(History)

Zoos and Aquariums
Western North Carolina Nature Center	Asheville	NC	55.0 mi.
Greenville Zoo	Greenville	SC	60.4 mi.
Knoxville Zoological Gardens	Knoxville	TN	61.9 mi.
Tennessee Aquarium	Chattanooga	TN	109.5 mi.
Warner Park Zoo	Chattanooga	TN	109.5 mi.
Zoo Atlanta	Atlanta	GA	114.4 mi.

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Disclaimer: We recommend you conduct your own research regarding all accomodations and attractions found on this website. The distances shown on this website are straight-line distances as the crow flies. The road distance may be considerably longer. You assume all liability for use of any information found on this website. No information is confirmed or warranted in any way. By using our services you agree to the terms and conditions of this disclaimer.

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