Visit Roan Mountain

Published 3:11 pm Monday, November 9, 2020

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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.

Saturday, November 14 
Seed Bombs for Monarchs – 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Price is $5.00 – Meet at Miller Farmstead – Join Ranger Phil Hylen to learn about Monarch Butterflies and their favorite plant – Milkweed!  Learn how to make your own butterfly gardens at your own house and make your very own Milkweed Seed bombs to help grow your next garden.  This program will meet at the Miller Farmstead House and is limited to 10 people. 

Sunday, November 15 
Irish Traditional Music Session – 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Price is Free,. Meet at Contact Program Leader – 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 (Irish Musicians) and advance registration is required. CDC recommendations apply. To register, contact the program leader. 

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Friday, November 20
Rustic Sign Making – 2 p.m. – ?. Price is $15.00 – Join Ranger James Holland to make your own rustic sign from natural materials. 
Meet at Park Headquarters prior to going to the program area. Program cost is $15 per person and requires registration due to limited group size.

Saturday, November 21
Primitive and Improvised Cooking Methods – 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Price is $12.00 – Join Ranger Holland for an educational and interactive program on various methods of preparing and cooking meals in the wild using improvised and primitive methods. Instruction will include using rocks for frying and steaming food, boiling in improvised containers, making bushbread, ashcakes, and bannock bread, planking meat with boards and other primitive cooking methods. Seasonal menu items may also include Squirrel on a Rock and Venison on a Stick depending upon availability. 
Registration is required and program space is limited.  This is a bushcraft program and will be held outdoors. Participants should dress according to weather conditions. 
Meet at Park Headquarters prior to going to the program area.

Fiddle for the Absolute Beginner – 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Price is $25.00 – Contact Instructor for details. 
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.

Sunday, November 22
Nature’s Top Guns – 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Meet at: Park Aviary
Price: $0.00 / Person
– $5.00 / Optional Donation
– $10.00 / Optional Donation
– $15.00 / Optional Donation
– Come out and meet some of nature’s fiercest and quickest animals – the Birds of Prey. Join Ranger Phil Hylen at the park aviary located next to the park office to learn about these winged hunters and how we can be sure to protect these regals creatures for generations to come.  Guests will also get to meet our 3 education owls live and learn their stories. 
–  This program is limited to 20 people, but social distancing and masks are required.  

Wednesday, November 25
Late Fall Hike – 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Meet at: Trailhead Parking Area behind the Softball Field
Price: $0.00 / Person
– $5.00 / Optional Donation
– $10.00 / Optional Donation
– $15.00 / Optional Donation
– Enjoy a guided afternoon hike with Ranger Holland! This 1.5 mile hike will travel a loop connecting the Moonshiners Run, Turkey Trot, and Forest Road trails, starting at the trailhead parking area behind the softball field. Along the way we’ll learn about the natural features we find. Dress for the weather with sturdy shoes & bring water and a snack. Advance registration is required due to limited program sizes due to COVID-19.  

Friday, November 27
Gobble Wobble Hike – 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Meet at: Cabin Area Trailhead
Price: $0.00 / Person
– $10.00 / Optional Donation
– $20.00 / Optional Donation
– $15.00 / Optional Donation
– $25.00 / Optional Donation
– Ready to walk off Thanksgiving dinner in the regal slops of Roan Mountain?  Join Ranger Phil Hylen on our annual After Thanksgiving Hike as we enjoy a gorgeous 3 mile moderate difficulty nature hike along the Turkey Trot and Moonshiner’s Run Trail. Hikers will meet at 10am at the Cabin Overflow Parking Lot.  We will enjoy late fall views of the cove forests, the Doe River, and ridge-top views overlooking the Roan Valley.  
– This hike is limited to 20 people so be sure to register your spot today!  We encourage guests to take and share their photos with the #Thankful4hiking hashtag!