Visit Roan Mountain

Published 4:48 pm Tuesday, July 7, 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.

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.

Friday, July 10

Peg Leg Mine Hike – 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Join Christian to learn about iron mining history and the Cranberry Vein. Meet at the Visitor Center.

A Wheelie Safe Time! – 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Join Brittany 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.

Saturday, July 11

Beary Big Bears – 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. – Join Brittany to learn about the black bear and through arts and crafts get a true understanding on how big this animal truly is. Meet at Farmstead.

Bamboozled Fishing – 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. – Join Christian for some information regarding the trout life cycle and how to create your own primative bamboo fishing rod. Meet at Shelter 3.

Summer Concert Series: Mountain Rose – 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Join these local talents for a bluegrass/folk-rock experience like no other!  Experience the music and energy of Roan Mountain.** Concerts will be relocated to Picnic Shelter 3 in the Campground in case of bad weather. FREE ADMISSION!  Donations accepted. Meet at Amphitheater.

Monday, July 13

Roan Mountain Lodge #566 F.&A.M.will meet in stated communication at 7 p.m. at 305 Conway St. All members in good standing are encouraged to attend and visiting Brethren are always welcome. Social distancing guideline set by State and local authorities will be followed.

Tom Gray Nature Walk – 11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. – Learn about our parks flora and fauna with Brittany on a half-mile nature walk along the Tom Gray trail. Meet at Shelter 3.

WHOO Lives Here – 1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Join Brittany to learn about our friends in flight, the owl! This is a brief program introducing our park owls and their background. Bring you best owl impression. Meet at the Aviary.

Frog Song 3:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Join Brittany to learn about our native frogs and to play a frog call game. Meet at Shelter 2.

Tuesday, July 14

Fiddlers Club: Weekly Group Lesson – 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Cost is $10.00 – 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).

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 last 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.

Friday, July 17

Somethin’ Fishy About the Doe – 10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. – Meet Brittany to discuss a few types of fish around in the Doe River. Afterwards, create your own colorful fish to take home as a keepsake. Meet at Shelter 1.

Bear-y Big Bears – 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. – Meet Brittany to craft a life size model of our furry friend, the Black Bear and to learn some interesting facts about our giant friends. Meet at Farmstead.

A Wheelie Safe Time! – 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Join Brittany 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.

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

Berry Beautiful Fields – 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. – Join Brittany for some Blackberry picking and learn about our parks wildflowers. Meet at Shelter 2.

Tree ID Hike – 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Meet Brittany to learn about some of the trees of our region! Be prepared to hike .5 miles so wear pants, close toed shoes and bring water. Meet at: Visitor Center.

Frog Song – 3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Join Brittany to learn the frogs and toads sounds native to our region! Meet at Shelter 2.

Summer Concert Series: The Roan Crows – 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Rock out with The Roan Crows as they dish out crowd-pleasing favorites from 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s rock and roll classics.  These guys are loads of fun, don’t miss ‘em!** Concerts will be relocated to Picnic Shelter 3 in the Campground in case of bad weather. FREE ADMISSION!  Donations accepted. Meet at the Amphitheater.

Sunday, July 19

Morning at the Farmstead – 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. – Meet Brittany to learn about the history behind our cozy farmhouse and its associated outbuildings.

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.

10 Essentials for a Day Hike – 3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Join Christian for a brief discussion of what to bring on a day hike. Meet at Conference Center Porch.

Lets Get Hooked – 3 p.m. – 4:30 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 Shelter 2.

Primitive Weapons – 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. – Meet Christian to try your hand at a few primitive weapons. We will be handling spears, tomahawks, and the oldest of them all the ATL – ATL. Meet at Shelter 3.

Salamander Hike – 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Join Brittany to hike up the 2-mile Moonshiners Run trail to find some of our slimy friends, the salamander! Be sure to wear proper hiking attire and bring lots of water. Meet at Moonshiners Run Trail Head.

Monday, July 20

Stream Ecology – 12:45 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Meet Brittany to test the water quality of the Doe River! Come prepared wearing your water shoes. Meet at Shelter 3.

A Splashing Fun Time – Join Christian on this creek stomp adventure. We are going to try to find the small, medium and large animals of the Doe River to see what the quality of water is. ( bad, fair or good) Bring shoes that you are okay with geting wet. Meet at Campground check-in.

Tuesday, July 21

Fiddlers Club: Weekly Group Lesson – 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Cost is $10.00 – 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).

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 last 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.

Friday, July 24

Here I Am! – 10:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. – Join Christian to learn how to build noisy toys out of recycled nature items! Meet at Shelter 3.

Doe River Snorkeling Excursion – 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Cost is $8.00 – Join Christian for a free-based snorkeling tour of the Doe River. This adventure is limited to 10 participants and registration is $8.00. Register your spot now!. Meet at Visitor Center.

A Wheelie Safe Time! – 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Join Christian for some important information regarding biker saftty 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.

Summer Concert Series: Bandwagon Fallacy – 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – This groovy band hails from just over the mountain in Buladean, NC.  Bandwagon Fallacy rocks the house with old-time favorites and touching originals from classic rock, country, folk and soul.** Concerts will be relocated to Picnic Shelter 3 in the Campground in case of bad weather. FREE ADMISSION!  Donations accepted. Meet at Amphitheater.

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: