Franklin Ghost Town — Tuesday, Sep. 5, 2023

We went there looking to explore this historical place with our kids ages 14,9,6 and we are all frequent hikers but found this trail to be very sad and disappointing. The parking lot as described by others is closed to the public but down the road about a minute just over the bridge you will find a parking lot you can use. The hike was very long with no signs directing you to where the town is or cemetery and cell service is non existent so you may want to download a map before hand. We were able to find the mine shaft after walking a mile in the wrong direction, and eventually found what is supposed to be the cemetery but there is only one or two fallen over headstones visible. The whole property is not taken care of at all by whomever owns it, and it is very sad. Places like this should be taken care of and preserved, especially if people are paying to come and visit it. We drove two hours and hiked for about three trying to discover a town but sadly there is no town to be seen anymore just miles of blackberry bushes. It was very sad. It seems like something should be done about it.