Hiking, Camping
The large wooded tracts of the Franklin State Forest located beyond Sewanee on the Jumpoff Road, the forested Domain of the University of the South, and several lumber company tracts offer both hiking and some limited forms of camping. The Perimeter Trail on the University of the South campus extends for approximately 20 miles and follows the bluff edge of the Cumberland Plateau. The Perimeter Trail offers serene hiking and occasional excellent views of the valley and the nearby coves.
Climbing
The sandstone cliffs of the Cumberland Plateau offer some locally excellent technical climbing opportunities. Simple rappelling and advanced climbing techniques can be practised at sites throughout the county. The high cliffs of nearby Phi Point in Marion County give dramatic views of I-24 down Monteagle mountain toward Martin Springs and challenge any serious climber.
Caving
The lower Middle Tennessee area including Franklin County is home to some of the best cave sites in the Eastern U. S. Ranging from very large caves such as commercially operated Cumberland Caverns to "pocket" caves such as Keith Cove Cave or Dry Cave, there are caves to challenge every level of speleological interest. Note carefully: it is not without reason that Sewanee Fire Department operates a Mountain Rescue division with specialists in cave rescue. Caving should be undertaken by knowledgable, responsible persons. For more information on Tennessee caves, consult the National Speological Society.
The habitat diversity of Franklin County offers excellent hunting opportunities. Small game including some quail abound in the many fencerows of the county. September dove hunting throughout the county is considered very good to excellent. The moist bottoms of the Elk River around Woods Reservoir, and below Tims Ford Dam give limited woodcock hunting. The varied edges of the forest-field pattern that abound in the county make for excellent whitetail deer hunting. Franklin County consistently ranks among the top Tennessee counties in whitetail deer harvest. The statewide harvest for the 1995-96 season was approximately 144,000 animals. An aggressive restoration progam for the wild turkey has transformed Franklin County into a premier turkey hunting area.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) in conjunction with AEDC sponsors a variety of hunting opportunities ranging from quota whitetail deer hunts to drawings for some 50 waterfowl hunting blinds on Woods Reservoir. The AEDC property also provides some greentree areas for duck hunting. Note: hunting on the AEDC reservation is strictly regulated by TWRA and the USAF. Hunting requires a special AEDC permit as well as certain TWRA permits. For more information on hunting in general and on hunting the AEDC property, consult the annual TWRA brochure, "Hunting Regulations." This brochure is available at all stores selling hunting licenses including Wal-Mart. Note also that Tennessee law now requires that any persons born after January 1, 1969 must complete an approved hunter safety course in order to hunt in Tennessee.
Rivers and Lakes
The Elk River courses across Franklin County diagonally from northeast to southwest. The two impoundments of this river, Woods Reservoir and Tims Ford Reservoir, support excellent fishing, boating, and recreational activities. Both reservoirs are accessed via public boat ramps and commercial marinas. On Tims Ford Reservoir at Dry Creek along Rt. 50, the City of Winchester in conjunction with the Tennessee Department of Conservation operates a public beach facility. In Winchester, Tims Ford Bass Club provides a public access improved boat ramp, floating dock, and handicap access fishing piers. Tims Ford State Park offers a range of lake access, camping, cabin sites, and other activities. Tims Ford State Park is a widely known recreational site attracting tourists and visitors from across the region. Specially designed maps of both reservoirs are available in editions designed for campers and anglers. These maps are available at most lakeside markets in the Franklin County area.
Fishing in Franklin County must be considered excellent. From trophy sized striped bass to impressive largemouth and smallmouth bass, from walleye and pike to rainbow and brown trout, the fishing is consistently impressive. The large deep reservoirs support familiar lake fishing while the cold tailwaters of the Elk River below Tims Ford Dam support a recovering but very good trout fishery. Striped bass in excess of 40 pounds have been taken from Tims Ford Reservoir, and brown trout in excess of 14 pounds have been taken from the Elk River. Numerous fishing guide services are available in area. An "Angler's Guide to Tennesse Fish" is available from TWRA, and a brochure called "Tennessee Fishing Regulations" is available wherever fishing licenses are sold.
Elk River Fly Fishing
For special information regarding trout fishing on the Tims Ford tailwaters of the Elk River, see the guide "Fishing the Elk River." Note carefully that Tims Ford Dam is part of the TVA hydro-electric and flood control system. Large, unannounced releases of water can occur at any time, making the Elk potentially a very dangerous river. TVA recommends that all river users wear an approved personal flotation device when entering the Elk River streambed. For further information on stream flows, dial 423-751-2264-4-50 or consult "TVA Water Releases from Dams."
Recreational powerboating on Tennessee waterways and reservoirs is a major state industry. In Franklin County powerboats of all descriptions seem to outnumber off-road vehicles. On the 4th of July each year there is a "boat-in" in the waters adjacent to the Tims Ford Bass Club as hundreds of boats gather for the annual fireworks display. Numerous retail outlets supply the essentials of boats, motors, service and repair, and related equipment. Around Tims Ford Lake, private docks are regulated but common for landowners wishing to boat directly from their houses.
Several canoe trip outfitters support float trips on the Elk, Sequatchie, Collins and other small rivers in the area. Under highwater conditions, the nearby Little Sequatchie River in Marion County offers some challenging whitewater conditions.
Equestrian Recreation
Horse riding is a permanently popular dimension of Franklin County life. The Franklin County Saddle Club sponsors shows at is site in Estill Springs, and lessons in formal equitation are offered at the Equestrian Center at the University of the South. The many thousands of acres of wooded terrain throughout the county provide hundreds of miles of trail riding opportunities. A major national supplier of all sorts of riding and equitation supplies is located in nearby Shelbyville, TN. Farrier service is available throughout the county.
Mountain Biking
The same features of terrain that attract horse riders, hikers, and ORV enthusiasts also provide excellent mountain biking opportunities in Franklin County.
Franklin County offers many opportunities for both participation or observation of a variety of team sports ranging from Little League baseball and soccer to vigorous church-league softball. All of the area towns and several of the small communities have one or more lighted ball diamonds for summer evening softball. The summer of 1996 saw the opening season of the Winchester Tomahawks, a professional baseball team housed in a new stadium complex near the Winchester City Park. In the fall, Franklin County High School and Huntland School football teams offer the very best of competitive small town football.
Golf and Tennis
Three golf courses are located in the county, the Winchester Country Club (membership), Sewanee Golf and Tennis Club (membership), and the Scenic View Golf Course (public) near Winchester. Driving ranges are available at the Sewanee golf course and at the Winchester City Park near the Tims Ford Bass Club.
Excellent indoor and outdoor tennis facilities are part of the Sewanee Golf and Tennis Club. Indoor tennis courts are part of the new multi-million dollar Fowler Sport and Fitness Center on the University of the South campus housing state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. (Membership required.)
Auto Racing
Fans of this spectator sport can whet their interests at the Winchester Speedway which sponsors weekly races. The speedway is located in Winchester two blocks off of Rt. 64 west.
Public Parks
Off-Road Recreation
The extensive remote areas of the southeastern portion of Franklin County attract many ORV and 4WD enthusiasts. Numerous trails and 4WD routes have been established and "expedition" size weekend outings are sometimes organized. The former track bed of the Mountain Goat railroad reaching from Cowan to Sewanee is a popular local route for the ORV crowd. Note: the Domain of the University of the South is closed to ORV usage.