Franklin,
North Carolina
Save up to 50% on Hotels
Franklin is a town in and the county seat of Macon County, North Carolina. It is situated within the Nantahala National Forest. The population was estimated to be 4,105 in 2019, an increase from 3,845 reported in the 2010 census.
The town developed around a 1,000-year old platform mound, the center of the historic Cherokee town of Nikwasi.
Franklin is a popular destination for hikers and outdoors enthusiasts, specifically in relation to the Nantahala National Forest, the Great Smoky Mountains, and the Appalachian Trail. The town and the surrounding area is rich in gems and minerals, and is known locally as the "Gem Capital of The World."
