Visit Roan Mountain

Published 12:46 pm Tuesday, July 14, 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.

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.

Summer Concert Series: Mountain Rose – 7 – 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.

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.

Stream Ecology – 12:25 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 –  3 p.m. – 4 p.m. – 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 getting 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 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.

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, July 25

Fiddle for the Absolute Beginner – 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Price $25.00 – 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 teenagers 15 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.

WHOO Lives Here – 12 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Join Brittany and Christian to learn about our friends in flight, the owl. This is a brief program introducing our park’s owls and their background. Be sure to bring your best owl impression! Meet at Park Headquarters – Aviary.

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.

Peanut Butter Bird Time – 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. – Meet Brittany to learn about a few of the bird species of Roan Mountain and how to craft a bird feeder out of everyday objects! This program does involve peanut butter. Meet at Shelter 3.

Tree ID Booklets – 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Join Brittany to fashion your own tree guide and learn about some of the trees that call Roan Mountain home. Meet at Amphitheater.

Salamander Hike – 7 p.m. – 8 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.

Summer Concert Series: Roan Mountain Moonshiners – 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – These local favorites from right here in Roan Mountain always provide a toe-tappin’ good time with their old-time music and rousing fiddle tunes.

** Concerts will be relocated to Picnic Shelter 3 in the Campground in case of bad weather.FREE ADMISSION!  Donations accepted.

Sunday, July 26

Peg Leg Mine Hike – 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Join Christian to learn about iron mining history and the Cranberry Vein. Meet at Visitor Center.

A Splashing Fun Time – 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 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.

The Urgency of the Atlatl – 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. – Meet Christian to experience a blast from the past that demonstrates how Native Americans used the atlatl for survival and feeding their families. This program is for ages 12 and up. Meet at Shelter 3.

Monday, July 27

Living History Wardrobe Sewing Bee – 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. – We’re developing a 1908-1910 historical wardrobe for Living History programs at the Miller Farmstead, including aprons, shirts, petticoats, pants & dresses. If you’re a sewist and you’d like to help us with our projects, bring your machine & join the fun. OR, bring your own historical wardrobe project & enjoy sewing with new friends. We’d love to see what you’re working on!

CDC guidelines apply, including the wearing of facemasks. Program attendance is limited to 10 total participants.  Meet at Conference Center.

Tuesday, July 28

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 31

Bamboozled Fishing – 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Join Christian for some information regarding the trout life cycle and how to create your own primitive bamboo fishing rod. Meet at Shelter 3.

The Urgency of the Atlatl – 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Meet Christian to experience a blast from the past that demonstrates how Native Americans used the atlatl for survival and feeding their families. This program is for ages 12 and up. Meet at Shelter 3.

Peanut Butter Bird Time – 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Meet Christian to learn about a few of the bird species of Roan Mountain and how to craft a bird feeder out of everyday objects! This program does involve peanut butter. Meet at Shelter 3.

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.

Big Foot Campfire – 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. – Join Christian for fall tales of our tall friend around a campfire. Bring your best stories of meeting the famous Big Foot! Meet at Cabin Campfire Ring.

Saturday, August 1

Support Our Wildlife Ambassadors – August 1 – August 31 – At Roan Mountain we house, care for, and educate the public on a variety of native animals. We work under an educational permit from TWRA. Currently, we care for three birds of prey and several snakes! As you can imagine, caring for these animals is costly, as their food and health care is a specialty!

All of our animals are non-releasable for a variety of reasons. We frequently program with these animals and never charge for educational programs when using them. Here is your opportunity to support our educational wildlife program and help us care for these animals!

All donations will go to purchase food, pay vet bills, purchase gloves, tethers, falconry equipment, aquarium bedding, and to improve and build more housing facilities for our non-releasable birds of prey.

To donate click the green “Register for Event” button at the right. Your donation is a one-time payment. If you wish to cover more than one day, update the “quantity” you wish to donate, or simply come back to this page in future months.

Price:

• $10.00 / Feeds one bird a day
• $20.00 / Feeds two birds a day
• $30.00 / Feeds three birds a day
• $40.00 / Feeds four birds a day
• $50.00 / Feeds five birds a day

Good Morning Blue 2! – 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. – Meet Christian at the Blue 2 trail head and see the beauty of our park in the morning. Make sure to bring your closed-toe shoes and proper hiking attire. Meet at Blue 2 Trail Head.

Afternoon on the Farmstead: Marshall Ballew – 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. – From 12:00-2:00pm, let the music of local artist, Marshall Ballew, be your backdrop theme to you scenic visit to the historic Miller Farmstead.  This solo artist from Piney Flats, TN is a true talent that never fails to wow audiences with blues, folk, old-time, rock, and more!  Marshall will be set up near the porch of the Miller Farmhouse.  Meet at Miller Farmstead.

Recycled Birdhouses – 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Join Christian for a fun way to get into birding! Create your very own birdhouse out of recycled plastic. Be prepared to get crafty with colorful paints. Meet at Picnic Area.

Bring the Heat – 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Meet Christian to learn about basic fire building techniques and fire safety for all ages. Meet at Shelter 3.

Saturday, September 26

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.

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: