Categories: Play, Hiking & Backpacking, Kid-Friendly, Fishing, Mountain Biking, Picnic Areas, Picnic Areas, Outdoor Fun, Parks & Recreation Areas, Fishing for Hatchery Supported Trout, Swimming Holes, River Rafting, Tubing & Kayaking, Little Tennessee River Greenway Biking Trails, Easy Access/Roadside Picnics, The Little Tennessee River Greenway
Tassee Park is one of our favorite access areas with easy access from downtown Franklin, NC, and is one of the more popular trailheads on the Greenway. The Park has a large paved parking area and a large picnic shelter that can be reserved for bigger parties. There are a number benches to sit on and enjoy the river that runs parallel to the paved path of the Greenway.
We recommend this section due to the private atmosphere it offers. Whether you're biking, walking, running or a combination, you'll appreciate the peaceful path that leads out to a loop the encircles a large meadow. From the trailhead all the way around the loop and back is a total of 4 miles. You can either choose to go the distance, or cut it short and turn around. Either way, you'll be able to calculate distance traveled by convenient mile markers located along the greenway.
We also suggest this trailhead for those of you looking to ride some mountain bike trails with easy access and close to Franklin, NC. The trails are located two miles from the parking area and the trailheads are located where the loop begins. Simply take the gravel section of the loop up the hill and to the right until you see a small sign that displays a "bike icon" on it. Take this through the wooded area up and down the ridgeline for some exhilarating western North Carolina Mountain bike riding. There is also a couple of trails that run along side the river. All of the biking trails are marked with signage. The wooded trails can also be utilized for trail running.
NOTE: If you are bringing your dog out to the park, please keep them on a leash and clean up after them. If you're looking to do some fishing, then access the fishing pier located just below the parking area. This access point offers many activities for the whole family and is one of our favorites!
From downtown Franklin, NC and East Main Street, access Tassee Park by taking "Depot Street" on your right (at "Hot Spot") all the way to the end and to the red light (Franklin Press on the corner). Go left at the light onto "Wells Grove Road" for appox. 0.1 mile to "Ulco Drive." Sign for "Tassee Park" and obvious parking below the road. If you cross a bridge, you've gone too far.