Dogwood Glen Trail is a 5-mile hike with a scenic lake, wildlife, and wooded views. This trail stretches from Salthouse Branch Park at Philpott Lake to the Philpott Park Tailrace. There are some tough climbs […]

Philpott’s Dogwood Glen Trail

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Dogwood Glen Trail is a 5-mile hike with a scenic lake, wildlife, and wooded views. This trail stretches from Salthouse Branch Park at Philpott Lake to the Philpott Park Tailrace.

There are some tough climbs and a few short downhill segments. Various stretches of the trail run along the shoreline of Philpott Lake. The approximately 7-foot wide trail can be accessed from Philpott Dam (Franklin County side) or Salthouse Branch Park. Parking is limited at Salthouse Branch Park ($4 day-use fee) and not accessible for equestrians at that location.

Distance

  • 5 miles

Hike It

  • Begin the trail from the dam where it is a moderate uphill hike for about 0.2 miles.
  • The trail follows a fire road for about 1.3 miles then diverges from this fire road, and it continues to Salthouse Beach Park through a forest of hardwoods.
  • There are some portions of the trail that involve tough climbs uphill but also include some downhill segments.
  • Some of the trail runs along the shoreline of Philpott Lake offering a scenic view.
  • The only two access points are from the Philpott Dam or the Salthouse Branch Park.

Directions/Parking

To Philpott Dam from Roanoke – Take 220 S. Once you’ve reached the intersection of 220 S and Sontag Rd (SR 619) in Rocky Mount, continue for another 13 miles. Turn right at Oak Level Rd and go 1.5 miles before turning right again onto Philpott Dr (SR 674). Go 4.2 more miles crossing a railroad track and a creek. Turn right onto Stoneybrook Ln (SR 727). This road will become Riverbrook Rd. The park entrance is 2.5 miles further.

To Salthouse Branch Park from Roanoke – Take 220 S. After the intersection of 220 S and Sontag Rd (SR 619), go another 10 miles. Turn right at Henry Rd (SR 605) and continue 6.8 miles. Turn left onto Knob Church Rd and go another 1.4 miles before turning left onto Salthouse Branch Rd. In 0.8 miles, you will have reached the entrance

Parking is limited at Salthouse Branch Park for a $4 day-use fee.

Resource

Add-On Adventure

  • Challenge some friends and family to a round of miniature golf at Hot Shots. Click here for more information.
  • Get a cold beer at Chaos Mountain Brewing.
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