Visit Roan Mountain

Published 3:48 pm Tuesday, August 11, 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.

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 12-2 .pm. with the local talent of Art Lang and Friends at the Miller 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 12:00-2:00pm 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: