Visit Roan Mountain

Published 1:58 pm Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Saturday, May 23

Birding for Beginners – 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. – Birding can be as relaxing as watching from your back yard to as exciting as going on world tours! Start your adventure with an introductory birding tour throughout Roan Mountain State Park with Ranger Phil Hylen. Learn the basics of equipment and backyard birding techniques before setting off on a 1 mile tour along the Forest Road Trail and cabins area. Bring your favorite pair of binoculars and a camera if handy. This program is limited to 10 people at a registration cost of $10 per person. To meet CDC best practices for COVID-19, participants are encouraged to wear masks and maintain 6 feet between individuals. Meet at Conference Center Porch.

Irish Traditional Music – 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. – An Irish “session” is an informal gathering of musicians who play Irish Traditional Music. It’s like a music jam, but with a set repertoire of tunes and a very specific style. Experienced Irish Traditional Musicians (melody instruments only) are welcome to join. Due to COVID-19, this event is limited to 10 total participants and advance registration is required. If you’d like to play, but you’re not sure if you’ll fit in, contact the program leader. This event is FREE. Meet at: Conference Center

Tuesday, May 26

Easy Trees along the Moonshiners Run – 8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. –

This moderate hike is less than two miles and will traverse the Moonshiners Run trail. Along the way, we’ll talk about tree identification methods & investigate examples. If you’re new to tree identification, this will be a perfect introduction.

Meet at the trailhead adjacent to the cabin area of the park. Bring sturdy shoes, sunscreen, bug spray, a bottle of water, and dress for the weather. CDC social distancing guidelines apply to all participants. Please wear a mask.

Saturday, May 30

Fiddle for the Absolute Beginner – 9 a.m. – 12 noon – Workshop participants will learn the basics of playing the fiddle, including instrument care, tuning, posture, bow hold, fingering, scales, active listening, learning by ear, and more. No matter what kind of fiddle music you’re interested in, the fundamentals are the same!

No previous experience is required. All you need is a playable fiddle, a recording device, and a desire to learn. If you’d like some advice on finding a starter fiddle, contact the instructor. This workshop is aimed at the adult learner’s attention span, but kids 16 and older are welcome.

The workshop will be taught by Park Ranger Marcianne O’Day. Marcianne learned to fiddle from her grandfather, starting at the age of seven. She has a minor in Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country Music from ETSU, was a founding member of the ETSU Celtic Band, has toured Scotland and Ireland, and has been teaching for over ten years. She performs across the Southeast with Irish Traditional Band Sigean and enjoys traditional music in many forms.

Sunday, May 31

Fiddle for the Absolute Beginner – 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Workshop participants will learn the basics of playing the fiddle, including instrument care, tuning, posture, bow hold, fingering, scales, active listening, learning by ear, and more. No matter what kind of fiddle music you’re interested in, the fundamentals are the same!

No previous experience is required. All you need is a playable fiddle, a recording device, and a desire to learn. If you’d like some advice on finding a starter fiddle, contact the instructor. This workshop is aimed at the adult learner’s attention span, but kids 16 and older are welcome.

The workshop will be taught by Park Ranger Marcianne O’Day. Marcianne learned to fiddle from her grandfather, starting at the age of seven. She has a minor in Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country Music from ETSU, was a founding member of the ETSU Celtic Band, has toured Scotland and Ireland, and has been teaching for over ten years. She performs across the Southeast with Irish Traditional Band Sigean and enjoys traditional music in many forms.

Saturday, June 6

National Trails Day – 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – We’re celebrating National Trails Day 2020 with a guided hike on the Blue 2 Trail! Along the way, we’ll stop and talk about the various habitats that can be found at Roan Mountain and how we can protect these environments. The trail is approximately 1.5 miles in length and of a moderate difficulty level. Bring sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, and bring a bottle of water.Due to COVID-19, registration will be limited to 8 participants. Social distancing recommendations from the CDC apply, including the wearing of masks, and maintaining a distance of 6 feet between individuals. No cost, but advance registration is required.

Meet at: Blue 2 Trailhead

Outdoor Photography Workshop Adventure – 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Join David Duplessis of Tennessee Photographs and a Park Ranger for an amazing ALL-DAY photography workshop through Roan Mountain State Park! The photographic opportunities are almost endless from the gorgeous arboreal forests, trails and rivers, to the mountain views and idyllic valleys there’s beautiful scenery every where you look.

After the workshop is over (around 1 p.m.), an optional caravan trip is available up to the top of Roan Mountain to enjoy the Cloudland Trail & Rhododendron Garden.

Plan to meet at the Gristmill Visitors Center at 7:45 a.m. The workshop will start promptly at 8 a.m. We will caravan and hike around the park to different points of interest through out the day, like:

– Peg Leg Mine & Trail

– Cloudland Trail

– The Doe River

– Miller Homestead (where we’ll picnic)

– Chestnut Ridge Overlook

– Riverside Trail

– And more!

Please bring your DSLR & lenses*. There will be hiking involved (some short but strenuous bursts in places) so please bear that in mind and wear appropriate clothing & shoes**. Also, be sure to bring plenty of water/fluids as well as your own snacks and lunch.

*All you really need to bring with you is your favorite camera and a sense of adventure. But…you are also encouraged to bring a tripod/monopod, shutter release, your collection of lenses, filters, etc., Basically, bring what YOU want to use and are comfortable with! **The top of Roan Mountain can be significantly cooler and wetter then the valley below, it’s fun and unpredictable that way. So there is a possibility you and your gear might get wet. So please be aware of that, and pack accordingly. Meet at Visitor Center Porch.

Saturday, June 27

Independence Day Celebration – Join Roan Mountain State Park for a 4th of July Weekend celebration! The park will be hosting a line-up of fun activities for kids and adults alike. Times to be determined. The actual Saturday of the 4th of July will offer various firework shows and events in the surrounding communities.

Our Field Game line-up and times will be announced closer to the event date, but expect the following:4th July Bicycle Parade and Contest, Tug-O’-War, Corn Hole Tournament, Various Relay Races. Meet at Picnic Shelter 3 in the Campground.

Saturday, June 27

TN Promise Saturday – 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Attention TN Promise Students! Roan Mountain State Park will be hosting a volunteer workday alongside various other parks and agencies across the state. TN Promise students will meet at the Park Headquarters starting at 8 a.m. and assist the park with trail work and conservation projects ending at 4 p.m. Students will be able to earn their 8 hours for TN Promise requirements or work a portion of the day. Work details will be announced closer to the workday so check back often. Workers are encouraged to wear proper outdoor work gear (close-toed shoes, work clothes, etc.) and bring plenty of water.  Meet at Park Headquarters.

Saturday, June 27

Miller Farmstead Butterfly Walk – 1 p.m. – ? – Meet Larry McDaniel with the Friends of Roan Mountain at the Miller Farmstead at 1:00 pm for an easy walk looking for butterflies and other insects. We should see swallowtails, whites, sulphurs, hair streaks, blues, fritillaries, ladies and more. We will walk around the grounds of the farmstead enjoying vast views of the 6.8 acre certified Monarch Waystation. Binoculars are helpful and wear sturdy enough shoes for easy off pavement walking.

Meet at:Miller Farmstead Parking Lot

Monday – Friday, July 6-10

2020 Junior Ranger Camp – Roan Mountain State Park proudly offers our 2020 Junior Ranger Camp to 30 individual youth ages 8-12.  Junior Rangers at Roan Mountain will take part in outdoor classes focusing on safety, wildlife, plants, astronomy, water, and history.  Each day, Junior Rangers will set off on adventures around Roan Mountain State park learning and playing in the outdoors.  Camp this year will take part this year from Monday, July 6th through Friday, July 10th.  Activity details and times will be available soon and a schedule will be posted for download.  This camp is limited to 30 and Registration will begin on May 1st and end May 16th.  Registration details will be posted on our Facebook Page and this page soon.

Saturday, July 18

Morning Light Moth Party  – 6 a.m. – 8 a.m. – Stop by Conference Center between 6 and 8 am on July 18th (early is better) to meet Larry McDaniel of the Friends of Roan Mountain and see what moths and other night flying insects were attracted to the moth lights. The lights will be set up and left on Friday night so to attract all sorts of unique insect visitors. We should see many species of moths including silkworms, sphinx and tigers. This is a good way to photograph moths. Smart phone cameras work great.  Stop by any time for this free, no-registration activity.

Meet at: Park Headquarters

Saturday, September 26

The Overmountain Men and the Battle of Kings Mountain – 6-7 p.m. – The Overmountain Victory Trail Association will present the story of the Overmountain Men and their journey to the Battle of Kings Mountain in September 1780. Join historical interpreters in period dress at the Roan Mountain State Park Amphitheater for an interesting and informative program. Program begins at 6 p.m. There is no admission charge for this event. For more information, please contact Steve Ricker, OVTA Director of Interpretation Primitivetrails@gmail.com. Meet at Park Amphitheater.

Saturday, October 3

Fall Chili Cook-off – 12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m. – Cook up a pot of your secret recipe and compete for prizes, or just come sample the chefs’ creations! Everyone is welcome to kick-off the fall season with food, fun, and fellowship. Register prior to October 3 at the Park Headquarters or Campground Check-in Station 12:30-2 p.m. for public eating. Cooks may begin cooking starting at 8 a.m. at Shelter 3. Prizes will be awarded to the judges favorite chili, public favorite chili, best decorated chili booth, and overall best use of heat to flavor ratio (no burning off taste-buds!) Meet at Picnic Shelter 3 in the Campground.

Saturday, October 10

Autumn Harvest Festival – 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Step back in time with us on Saturday, October 10th at the Miller Farmstead from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Our Autumn Harvest Festival brings guests back into the mid 1800s with historical tours of the Farm, house, and land surrounding the area. The farmstead will be packed with historical demonstrations, games, traditional music, food, crafts, and more! Come out and support these local artists and re-enactors, or join in the fun by calling us to sign up as a vendor or re-enactor today. Vendors and artists may email their interest to Philip.Hylen@tn.gov or contact (423)547-3947. In case of bad weather, the festival will be moved to the Visitor’s Center. If the festival will be moved, we will post it on our park Facebook page and have a sign re-directing guests from the Farmstead entrance. Meet at: Miller Farmstead

Saturday, November 14

Appalachian Winter Celebration – 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. – Roan Mountain State Park is building on the Old Time Yule celebration to tell the story of traditional holiday celebrations and preparations for winter in the Appalachian Mountains. Join us from noon-3 p.m. at the historic Miller Farmstead to enjoy a true mountain celebration. Meet at Miller Farmstead. Event includes: