Salthouse Branch
Philpott Lake — lakeside, hiking
Location: Henry, VA, VA
Price: From $26 per night
Price range: $26–$52 per night
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (323 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Showers, Dump Station, Electric Hookups, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/salthouse-branch to be notified when sites open up.
Salthouse Branch sits on the shores of Philpott Lake in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains foothills with spacious, level sites and excellent amenities including flush toilets, showers, and a boat launch. Campers consistently rate it 4.6/5 stars, praising the well-maintained bathhouse, hot showers, and beautiful lakeside location.
Wildlife alert: Bobcats, white-tailed deer, herons, cormorants, and watersnakes present in the area.
Insider tips for Salthouse Branch: Book early — this is a federal campground with high demand. Most sites have water and electric hookups only; confirm hookup type when reserving. Sites are spacious and level, suitable for larger RVs despite tight dump station access.
Skip Salthouse Branch if: You need full hookups (30/50 amp) — most sites have water and electric only.. You plan to camp outside May through October — seasonal closures apply.. You have a large RV requiring dump station access — campers report tight maneuverability..
Best time to visit Salthouse Branch: May through October — Campground operates seasonally during these months only..
Nearby campgrounds: Goose Point (BASSETT, VA), Horseshoe Point (Henry, VA), Philpott Park (BASSETT, VA), Rock Castle Gorge Backcountry Camping (ASHEVILLE, VA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Salthouse Branch
Cell signal at Salthouse Branch (Henry, VA): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with high demand.
Most sites have water and electric hookups only; confirm hookup type when reserving.
Sites are spacious and level, suitable for larger RVs despite tight dump station access.
Campground operates seasonally during these months only.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From US 220, turn onto Henry Road (SR-605), go 6 miles; turn left onto Knob Church Road and go 2 miles. Turn left onto Salthouse Branch Road and follow signs to the entrance. GPS Users: Do not use SR-727 (Stoney Brook Lane) or SR-894 (Johnson Hill Road).
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Philpott Lake fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Philpott Lake before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Salthouse Branch cost per night?+
What season is Salthouse Branch open?+
Does Salthouse Branch have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Salthouse Branch?+
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What is the cell service like at Salthouse Branch?+
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Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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