Saturday, Jan. 11

Meet an Overmountain Man

3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. — Meet at 3 p.m. at Picnic Shelter #3 in the Roan Mountain State Park Campground to meet an Overmountain Man as he prepares for the multi-day march to Kings Mountain in South Carolina. Participants will learn the history of Carter County’s most historic group of men who risked their lives to bring security to their newfound settlement. Many call the Battle of Kings Mountain the “beginning of the end” of the American Revolutionary War. Participants will also experience a live black powder demonstration and explore the gear and equipment used by these men in the late 1700s. No registration is required, just show up at Picnic Shelter 3.

Meet at Picnic Shelter 3 in the Campground.

Hiking Staff

1 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.  — Join Ranger Holland as we express our creative abilities while making a hiking staff from natural materials. Participants will be provided with the materials needed to construct and personalize the hiking staffs before taking them home for their next hike. Meet at the main park office at 1 p.m., prior to going to the program area.

Preregistration is required prior to attending the program.    

Cost: $10 per person; $5 children 12 and under.

Saturday, Jan. 18

Roan Mountain GeoVenture

1 p.m. – 3 p.m. — Join Ranger Phil Hylen at the Visitor Center at 1 p.m. to set off on a 2-mile geology expedition around the park. Participants will visit and learn about the iron mines and pits found across the park as well as learn how Roan Mountain was formed. Participants will also learn how to read topography maps and compass. Before concluding, each participant will have the chance to break open their very own geode to discover their contents! This program is limited to 20 people and costs $10 to register. Be sure to dress warm and bring hiking essentials! 

Meet at the Visitor Center Porch.

Sunday, Jan. 19

Raptor Force Owl Program

2 p.m. – 3 p.m. — Meet Ranger Phil Hylen at 2 p.m. at the Park Headquarters for a live owl experience at the park aviary! Learn what makes these amazing birds of prey unique and how people have used them as a model for technology for ages. This program is free and does not require registration. Please do not bring dogs to this program unless they are service animals. 

Meet at Park Headquarters.

Tuesday, Jan. 21

BCHET: OP 3 Meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at the Mayor’s Conference Room (Room 205) at the Carter County Courthouse. This is a very important meeting. Please try to attend to discuss the following: 1. Trail Head Parking Lot at Cherry Flats Road (FS 50A). Status update; 2. Cost to complete the gravel and compaction; 3. Grant Document Request for Donations. Please plan to attend if at all possible.

Friday, Jan. 24

Orion the Hunter

9 p.m. – 10 p.m. — Join Park Ranger Phil Hylen at Picnic Shelter 3, starting at 9 p.m. The group will be viewing Orion the Hunter, one of the most recognizable characters of our winter nights. Enjoy some S’mores around a campfire as we discover the legends of this demigod as well as a few celestial secrets he is hiding. Dress warm and bring some binoculars and any seating you would like. Registration is not required and attendance is free.

Meet at Picnic Shelter 3 in the Campground.

Saturday, Jan. 25

Outdoor Survival for Beginners

1 p.m. – 3 p.m. — Join Ranger Holland as we learn about the basics of outdoor wilderness survival. Topics will include water, food, fire, shelter and signaling for help. This is a beginner program for persons wishing to gain an understanding of the basic skills and knowledge needed to survive in an outdoor wilderness environment.

Meet at the main park office at 1 p.m. prior to going to the program area.

Program is free and no registration is required.

Saturday, Feb. 8

2020 Winter Naturalist Rally

See schedule for program times.

Join the Friends of Roan Mountain for their annual Winter Naturalist Rally at Roan Mountain State Park. Celebrate the beauty of nature in winter while learning about the unique natural features that make this mountain such a unique place. 

Stay tuned for a schedule of events that will include guided nature hikes, guest speakers, wildlife viewing experiences and more! To keep up to date with the Winter Rally and to learn more about this awesome group of naturalists, visit the Friends of Roan Mountain website at http://www.friendsofroanmtn.org/default.htm. 

Meet at: See rally schedule for meeting locations.

Saturday, March 7

Weed Wrangle 2020

To Be Determined.

Roan Mountain State Park once again joins in the state-wide Weed Wrangle event to combat non-native species of plants and restore our beautiful mountain landscape. Join us for a day of volunteering as we remove various unwanted vegetation and replace it with beautiful native plants. Times and details will soon be available, so be sure to check back! 

Volunteers must register online at:  https://stateoftennessee.formstack.com/forms/weed_wrangle_2020_rsvp_form and meet at the Park Visitor Center the morning of Saturday, March 7.    

Weed Wrangle® is a one-day, area-wide, volunteer effort to help rescue our public parks and green spaces from non-native invasive species through hands-on removal of especially harmful trees, vines, and flowering plants. Supervised by an expert in invasive weed management, Weed Wrangle® volunteers learn, practice and begin a habit of maintaining an area free of non-native invasive plants and encourage replanting with natives in removal areas. By engaging our neighbors and challenging them to take action in their own spaces, we hope to create a movement that will have the greatest impact on the invasive plant population.

Meet at Visitor Center Porch.

Saturday, April 4

Easter Egg Field Day

Noon – 3 p.m. — Roan Mountain State Park hosts our annual Easter Egg Hunt and Field Game Day from noon to 3 p.m. at the park amphitheater. Youth in various age groups will enjoy challenging outdoor egg hunts that showcase the beauty of spring in the Mountains. After our hunt and prize ceremony, the whole family is invited to join us for several field games and a photo op with the Easter Bunny! 

Hunt and Field Game details will be available soon!   

Meet at Park Amphitheater.