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February 1-29

February 11
Raptors of the Roan – 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. Meet at Park Headquarters. Join Roan Mountain State Park at the aviary (located at the park headquarters building) to meet our owl ambassadors and aviary staff. Participants will become familiar with the rich and unique diversity of birds of prey (raptors) found in the park and surrounding area of Roan Mountain. This is a great way to learn of many local raptor birding destinations and events! Of course, meeting our live education owls is an experience all its own!

February 17
Tomahawk Toss – 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Price is $5. Register for the event. Learn to throw a tomahawk!. Join Ranger Holland as we have fun learning a popular frontier pastime. Tomahawks provided. No previous Tomahawk-throwing experience is required to enjoy this fun program. Meet at Shed #3.

February 18
Doe River Beginning Fly-Tying – 10 a.m. – 12 noon. Meet at the Visitor Center Porch. Price is $20. Register for the event. Have you ever wanted to learn to make your own flies for fishing the streams of the Roan Mountain? Join Park Ranger Phil Hylen for our fly-tying for Beginners Class. In this 2-hour course, participants will learn the basics of the art of fly-tying and make their very first fly. This class will also introduce you to some of our more common aquatic critters that flies model by turning over a few rocks and leaves in the Doe River and getting a close-up look at the dinner menu our local trout enjoy. This 101 class is limited to 5 fly-tyers at a fee of $20/person with registration available by using the registration link on this event or at a park office. If you are registering a youth, parents are asked to stay and assist the minor during the class (assisting adults are not required to register unless you are making your own fly as well). This class will take place at the Roan Mountain State Park Visitor Center. Meet your host on the porch.
Backpacking Meals – Desserts – 2 p.m. Price is $5/ages 12 and under, $8/person. Register for the event. Join Ranger Holland as we learn how to prepare a few simple backpacking desserts. After a long day’s hike in the woods, sometimes a culinary sweetness can really enhance your outdoor adventure. These desserts can be made with minimal ingredients and light backpacking cookware.

February 24
Fancywork for Beginners: Wildlife in Winter – 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Meet at the Conference Center. Price: $12 / Attendee Only (Includes Refreshments), $16 / Attendee + Pattern Packet, $25 / Attendee + Project Kit (Pattern Packet, Towel Blank, Floss, $45 / Attendee + Project Kit + Full Embroidery Kit. Register for the event. Decorative hand-stitched embroidery (fancy work) was all the rage in the early 20th century and continues to be an important traditional art across the world. Although beautiful embroidery work can be complex, every needleworker starts from the beginning.
Join our workshop and take your first steps, or continue a journey you’ve already started (bring a project to show off, if you like!). We’ll look at examples of embroidery and designs inspired by the winter wildlife that can be found here in Roan Mountain. We’ll then review 10-15 basic stitch techniques to help you build your confidence.
*Also*
Stash Swap: For this workshop, we’ll be hosting a table for stash swapping. If you have embroidery tools and supplies you no longer need, bring them along and pass them to someone who will use them.
Refreshments: Tea & Cookies
If you’d like to volunteer to assist with embroidery workshops, please visit this link.
Full Embroidery Kit Contents: If you are just getting started, this take-home kit provides every basic embroidery tool, and a few handy extras.
Zip Pouch
8″ plastic hoop
Scissors
Needle set
Needle threader
Thimble
Washable transfer pencil & transfer paper
Card-style thread organizer
Beginner Stitch Sampler (pre-printed cloth, to follow along while learning stitches in the workshop)
Senses of the Night Hike – 8 p.m. – 9 p.m. Meet at Shelter 3 in the campground. Price is $10 and Register for the event. Join us for an after-hours nature tour through the forests of Roan Mountain State Park. Park Ranger Rodriguez will lead you through the dark on a 0.5-mile hike through the Tom Gray trail. We will be learning about how nocturnal wildlife have adapted their senses for the night and try our own hand at adapting to the night! From glow in the dark animals, starry nights, and turning over logs and rocks to find some of our park’s most secretive wildlife, this nocturnal prowl is fun for the entire family.
This activity is limited to 20 participants at a cost of $10.00 per person. Registered participants will meet at Shelter 3, located in the campground on the right once you pass the tennis courts. Guests are encouraged to bring sturdy hiking shoes, weather appropriate clothing, water, and a flashlight.
February 25
Campfire Riddles and much S’more – 8 p.m. – 9 p.m. Meet at Cabin Campfire Ring. Price is $3 and register for the event. Join us during these cool winter nights as we warm up by the campfire. Over the years, riddles and stories have been passed down from generation to generation while sitting around the fire. Come be a part of our history as we bring riddles to share while enjoying some sticky sweet s’mores!
This program is fun for all ages! Those 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult for this event. We will be meeting at the campfire ring located in the cabin area on top of the hill above the playground. All materials will be provided for this event.

February 29
2024 Leap Year Hike – 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Meet at the Cabins Overflow Parking Lot. Price is $0/Free Participant Registration, $10/Participant +$10 Park Donation, $20/Participant + $20 Park Donation.
2024 is a leap year and what better way to celebrate than to leap into a hike at beautiful Roan Mountain State Park? Join Park Ranger Phil Hylen from 1 to 3 p.m. for a 1.5-mile loop hike along Moonshiner’s Run, Forest Road, and Turkey Trot trails. This moderate difficulty hike offers gorgeous views of the Doe River, Southern Cove Forests, and ridgetop views of the surrounding foothills of majestic Roan Mountain. All trails are natural surface with a steep 30% grade climb along the 0.10-mile stretch of Forest Road Trail. For more trail and hike eligibility requirements, please see the attached Essential Eligibility Criteria form.
This hike will meet and end at the Cabins Parking Lot Trailhead for Moonshiner’s Run Trail. Once you enter the cabins area off Highway 143, signs will be posted to direct you to the trailhead. This hike is limited to 20 participants, so be sure to register your spot today! Optional donations made will be used for the construction of a back country trail and campsites. Be sure to wear good hiking shoes and dress for unpredictable winter weather.