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March 1-31

 

March 9

Naturalist: BioBlitz – 3 p.m. 4:30 p.m. Meet at Shelter 3 in the campground. Price is $0/Attendee, $5/Attendee + Donation, $5/Donation (no attendance), $10/Attendee + Donation, $10/Donation (no attendance). Register for the event. “A bioblitz is a communal citizen-science effort to record as many species within a designated location and time period as possible.”

Join us as we learn about amazing tools such as iNaturalist that scientists and citizens alike can use to identify wildlife in their own backyard! As we discuss what citizen science is, and the importance of it, we will be scouring the Tom Gray trail to see what we can find. By participating in this program you are serving an important role in collecting species data for Roan Mountain State Park.

This program is suitable for all ages and is a great way for families to learn and explore nature together! We will meet at Shelter 3, located in the campground next to the camp store and playground. The campground is located directly past the tennis courts on the right. 

Participants should bring sturdy hiking shoes, a device with the iNaturalist app installed (we can help on location if needed), and plenty of water.

March 16

Peg Leg Mine GeoVenture – 1 – 3 p.m. Meet at the Visitor Center Porch. Price is $10. Register for the event. Join Park Ranger Phil Hylen at the Roan Mountain State Park Visitor Center porch to take part in a unique iron mining history tour of the Peg Leg Mine. Located on the edge of the Cranberry iron ore vein, the Peg Leg Mine offers participants a 1.2-mile hike through Southern Appalachian Cove forest to see how iron mining in the mountains was conducted at the turn of the 20th century.

While exploring, participants will take on the role of iron miners in the late 1800s, test iron deposits for quality, and open your very own iron ore and geodes. This guided experience is limited to 12 participants with a ticket fee of $15 per person. This program will begin and end at the Visitor Center porch. Be sure to dress warm and bring a camera!

 

March 23

2024 Spring Hike – 10 a.m. – noon. Meet at the Visitor Center Porch. Price is $0/Attendee, $10/$10 Donation (not attending), $10/Attendee + $10 Donation, $20/$20Donation ( Not attending), $20/Attendee + $20 Donation. Register for the event. Join Roan Mountain State Park at the Visitor Center from 10 a.m. – noon for a spring hike along the Moonshine Run Trail. After meeting at the Visitor Center Parking Lot, guests will follow the park ranger to the trailhead parking lot by the park cabins area for a 1.5 mile hike along the gorgeous Doe River while enjoying some of our early spring wildflowers. This hike is limited to 20 participants with no cost, but donations to our park will help with current trail planning and construction.  

Hikers are encouraged to bring cameras, water, and sturdy hiking shoes. Leashed dogs are welcome.

 

March 23

Doe River Beginner Fly-Tying – 10 a.m. – 12 noon. Meet at the Visitor Center Porch. Price is $20 and you can 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 from 10 a.m. – noon 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.

 

March 24

Snakes of North East Tennessee – 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Meet at the Visitor Center Porch. Meet Ranger Phil Hylen and a couple of our local snake ambassadors at the Roan Mountain State Park Visitor Center from 10-11 a.m. Learn what some of our local snakes are and the jobs they do for us. Also, learn some interesting region-specific information while busting a few local myths! This free program will end with a live snake presentation designed to learn more about the nature of these unique critters found in the Appalachian Mountains.

 

Raptors of the Roan – 1 p.m. – 2 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 on its own! Pets are not allowed in the vicinity of the aviary unless in the case of service animals at a distance set by the program staff.

 

March 30

Build Your Own Hiking Stick – 10 a.m. – Noon. Meet at Shelter 3 in the campground. Price is $15. Register for the event. Visitors will have the opportunity to select a stick among the park’s downed trees along the Tom Gray trail and campground. Visitors can either cut their limb with a bow saw or have a ranger do it for them. This event will end at the camp store where participants will be able to use files, rasps, and cordage to customize their very own hiking stick!

This program is suited for ages 12 and up. Participants should wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring plenty of water. 

Meeting location: Shelter 3 in the campground. Campground is located on the right directly past the tennis courts.

 

Night Sky Party: The Spring Triangle – 8 p.m. – 9 p.m. Meet at Cabins 21-30 Parking Lot Fire Pit. Roan Mountain State Park will be hosting a free night sky party from 8-9  p.m. at the Cabins area fire pit located by the cabins 21-30 parking lot. Our March night sky theater will focus on the Spring Triangle, a trio of stars readily seen every night from across our country from spring to early summer. Enjoy the warmth of a campfire while enjoying snacks and ranger-led stories about the March stars.  

This is a free event with no registration. Guests are encouraged to dress for the weather and to bring a comfy chair and binoculars.  

 

March 30

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. 

 

March 31

Natural Crafts – 2 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Price is $10. Register for the event. Natural Crafts. Express your artistic side while making useful and decorative items from natural materials. During the program we will repurpose wood portions of downed trees from past storm damage and other materials found in nature. These will be used to create unique items that each participant may keep at the conclusion of the program. Meet at park headquarters prior to going to the program area.