Visit Roan Mountain

Published 11:15 am Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Covid-19 has had effects on our events. For more information, please visit our Keeping Visitors Healthy page.

Please note that all programs, events and tours require masks for all participants.

Tour the Miller Farmstead – 9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. – Free Tour/ $5.00 Optional Donation. Hand-built, and finished in 1908, the Miller Farmstead stands as a testament to the hardiness and ingenuity of the people of Appalachia. Join Roan Mountain State Park interpretive staff for a 30-minute tour of the farmstead and learn how three generations of Millers lived here and worked, raising families, livestock & crops without modern conveniences like electricity, tractors, or cars. Meet at Garden Gate.

Let’s Get Hooked – 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Meet Christian to learn basic fishing knots and techniques. We can provide fishing poles and tackle. Meet at Shelter 2.

A Wheelie Safe Time! – 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Join Christian for some important information regarding biker safety followed by a group bike ride around the campground! This program is aimed to inform children on how to ride their bike safely. Be sure to bring your bike, helmet , water and closed toed shoes. Meet at Shelter 3.

Stream Ecology – 10:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. – Have you ever wondered how healthy the water quality is at Doe River? Join Brittany to do some simple experiments to test the water in our campground! Be prepared to get in the water wearing your close-toed shoes! Meet at Shelter 3.

Afternoon on the Farmstead: Spinning with Ellie – 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. – Join us from 12:00-2:00pm at the Miller Farmstead to enjoy leanring all about traditional spinning with Ellie Hjemmet.  This local genius is a master of the spinning wheel, natural dyes, local story telling, and even a great musician!  Ellie will be set up on the porch of the historic Miller Farmhouse.  Meet at Miller Farmstead.

Wonder of the Wetlands – 1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Meet Brittany to learn about the ecological importance of wetlands as we walk around the park’s own wetland area. Meet at Amphitheater.

Doe River Snorkeling Excursion – 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Price is $10.00 – Join Ranger Phil Hylen for a snorkeling adventure in the Doe River!  This program will start at the Campground Check-in Station and travel to the Tom Gray section of the Doe River searching for the many cool critters that call the waters of the Doe home.  Equipment is provided to participants.  Participation is limited to people ages 12 and older. Reserve your spot today!  Meet at Campground Check-In.

Salamander Hike – 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Hike along with Brittany to find our slimy amphibian, the salamander! Be sure to wear proper hiking attire such as long pants, close-toed shoes, and to bring water. Meet at Park Headquarters.

Creek Stomp – 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Meet Christian to find the small, medium, and large critters that call the Doe River home! Be sure to bring your water shoes and an extra change of dry clothes! Meet at Campground Check-In.

Make an Aqua Scope! – 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. – Meet Brittany at Shelter 3 to create your very own aqua scope. Take your aqua viewer down to a pond, river, or lake to observe life underwater in a whole new way! Meet at Shelter 3.

Frog Song – 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. – Join Brittany to explore the park wetlands listening to the evening symphony of frogs and toads native to our region. Meet at Park Headquarters.

Fiddlers Club: Weekly Group Lesson – 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Cost is $10.00 – Register for the event. Lessons are taught by Park Ranger Marcianne O’Day and focus on traditional tunes and playing techniques.

All you need to participate is a working fiddle, a desire to learn, and a little time to practice. The more you can practice, the quicker you’ll make progress, but even if you only have a few minutes a day and show up for lessons on a regular basis, you’ll fit in fine. Everyone progresses at their own pace and the group setting means that we all learn and benefit from each other’s questions (and struggles). This group class is for adult learners although teenagers older than 15 are welcome to join.

There are two ways to join up:

1) If you’ve had previous experience (maybe you had a year or less of lessons, and/or it has been a long time and you remember just a little) register online or in person, and show up to the lesson. Folks in the lesson are moving at different speeds and you’ll fall right in.

2) If you’ve never played before, or you feel like you’d be starting over from the beginning, start by registering for an Absolute Beginner’s Fiddle Workshop. They are offered on the 4th Saturday of each month. Once you’ve got the basics down, you’re welcome to join the weekly group lesson.

If you have questions about our class, or need help finding an instrument, if you want to get started as a complete beginner, or would like to try but have some anxiety about it, contact the instructor. She’ll answer questions and talk you into coming. Contact Instructor for Details.

Perseids on the Balds – 10:30 p.m. – 1 a.m. – Join Ranger Phil for the peak of the 2020 Perseid Meteor Shower as seen from Round Bald on the Appalachian Trail. The program will officially end at 1:00AM on August 14th, but participants are welcome to stay and enjoy the rest of the morning shower.  Guided participants will enjoy myths and legends of the constellations, a star guide, and telescope views of the moon and planets around the shower.  The hike to Round Bald is ~0.5 miles with a 250′ elevation climb.  Participants are encouraged to wear good hiking shoes and bring a comfortable chair or blanket to sit on. Meet at Carver’s Gap Parking Lot.

Bear-y Big Bears – 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Meet Christian to craft a life size model of our furry friend, the Black Bear and learn some interesting facts about our giant friends! Meet at Miller Farmstead.

WHOO Lives Here – 1 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. – Join Christian to learn about our friends in flight, the owl! This is a brief program introducing our park’s owls and their background. Bring your best owl impression! Meet at Park Headquarters – Aviary.

A Wheelie Safe Time – 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Join Christian for some important information regarding biker safety, followed by a group bike ride around the campground! This program will teach children on how to ride their bike safely. Be sure to bring your bike, helmet, water, and wear your closed toed shoes! Meet at Shelter 3.

Buggin’ Out – 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Join Brittany to learn some fun facts about our favorite 6-legged critters, BUGS! Also learn how to build your own bug for keepsake. Meet at Shelter 3.

Habitat Hike – 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Meet Brittany at the Blue 2 trailhead to hike a 1.85-mile trip and learn about some of the unique habitats along the trail! Meet at Blue 1 Trail Head.

Hooked on the Doe! – 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. – Meet Christian to learn basic fishing knots and techniques. Be sure to have your fishing license, water, and sunscreen. We can provide fishing poles and tackle. Meet at Visitor Center.

Nature Field Guide – 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Join Brittany to fashion your own field guide and learn about some of the organisms that call Roan Mountain home! Meet at Park Headquarters.

Brilliant Butterflies – 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. – Join Brittany to meet some of our beautiful butterflies that call Roan Mountain home followed by crafting your own butterfly. Ages 8+. Meet at Miller Farmstead.

Creek Stomp – 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Meet Christian to find the small, medium, and large critters that call the Doe River home! Be sure to bring your water shoes and an extra change of dry clothes! Meet at Campground Check-in.

Tree Scavenger Hunt – 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Come hike along with Brittany to find some of our tall, shade givers! We will be hiking the Peg Leg Trail to identify some of the trees that call Roan Mountain home. Be sure to bring your long pants, close-toed shoes, and water! Meet at Visitor Center Porch.

Irish Traditional Music Session – 1 p.m. – 4 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. CDC recommendations apply.

If you’d like to play, but you’re not sure if you’ll fit in, contact the program leader. Meet at Conference Center.

Afternoon on the Farmstead: Art Lang and Friends – 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. – Enjoy the Miller Farmstead from 12:00-2:00 pm with the local talent of Art Lang and Friends at the Milelr Farmhouse porch.  Art Lang has spent many years developing his old time music feel with traditional tunes on fiddle, banjo, and guitar.  Let this wonderful music be your backdrop for your mountain memories.  Meet at Miller Farmstead.

Afternoon on the Farmstead: Flint Knapping with Bob – 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. – Join us from 12:00-2:00 pm at the scenic Miller Farmstead for a historical lesson in flint knapping with local expert, Bob Estep.  Bob has practiced the art of flint knapping for decades making reproductions of various prehistoric tools, weapons, and trinkets.  Bob will be set up near the Miller Farmhouse.  Meet at Miller Farmstead.

The Over Mountain 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.

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.

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

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: