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April 1–30
Support Our Wildlife Ambassadors
Roan Mountain State Park
All month

Price:
$10 – Feeds one bird a day
$20 – Feeds two birds a day
$30 – Feeds three birds a day
$40 – Feeds four birds a day
$50 – Feeds five birds a day

At Roan Mountain, we house, care for and educate the public on a variety of native animals. We work under an educational permit from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. 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 are specialties.

All of our animals are nonreleasable 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 veterinary bills, buy gloves, tethers, falconry equipment and aquarium bedding, and improve and build more housing facilities for our nonreleasable 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 return to this page in future months.

Thank you for supporting our wildlife ambassadors at Roan Mountain State Park!

April 14–Aug. 30
Mushroom March: Mysteries of the Forest
5–7 p.m.
Meet at Shelter 3 in the campground

The price is $5 and registration is required. Join us Monday, April 14, at 5 p.m. for this fungus-filled adventure!

These mysterious organisms hold amazing secrets. Discover the hidden world of mushrooms along this 0.5-mile hike on the Tom Gray Trail and campground. Make sure to bring sturdy hiking shoes, long pants and plenty of water.

Mushrooms are the great citizens of the forest. Along this hike, we will discuss how these mysterious mushrooms interact with the environment through their relationships. If we listen to their stories closely enough, we may learn a thing or two.

Location: Shelter 3 in the campground, directly past the tennis courts.
Registration is required.

April 27
Salamanders of Appalachia Hike
7–8 p.m.
Meet at Roan Mountain State Park Visitor Center

The price is $10 and registration is required. The Southern Appalachian Mountain range is the salamander capital of the world. Roan Mountain State Park Ranger Phil Hylen will lead an evening salamander hike to offer a small peek into the diverse world of salamanders.

Participants will meet at the Roan Mountain State Park Visitor Center before taking part in a 1-mile night hike along the Peg Leg Mine Loop Trail, a moderate-difficulty trail with natural terrain and a maximum grade of approximately 18%.

Along the hike, Ranger Hylen will share observation techniques for salamanders and other small terrestrial wildlife. The hike is limited to 15 participants. Be sure to bring good hiking shoes, water bottles and a flashlight.

May 2
2025 Garlic Mustard Pull
9:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Meet at Roan Mountain State Park Office parking lot
Location: Roan Mountain State Park Conference Center

Schedule:
9:30–9:45 a.m. – Brief introduction, safety talk, etc. Volunteers will be briefed, divided into groups and dispersed across the park and along public roadsides to pull garlic mustard.
9:45 a.m.–1 p.m. – Pulling and bagging garlic mustard
1–2 p.m. – Lunch at the Conference Center and official weigh-in

Food/Drinks: Please bring your own snacks, lunch and bottled water. Lunch is not provided. Water and light snacks are available at the Park Office store.

May 10
Elks Lodge 2025 Youth Trout Tournament
7 a.m.–2 p.m.
Meet at Roan Mountain State Park Amphitheater

Join Roan Mountain State Park and the Elizabethton Elks Lodge for the 42nd annual Elks Lodge Youth Trout Tournament on Saturday, May 10 (Mother’s Day weekend). This year’s tournament is for youth ages 4–14, competing in three age groups:

• Ages 4–7

• Ages 8–11

• Ages 12–14

Tournament Schedule:
7–9 a.m. – Participant registration at the amphitheater
9 a.m.–1 p.m. – Trout fishing tournament within the boundaries of the Doe River (see rules)
Noon–2 p.m. – Fish judging and prize preparations at the amphitheater
2–3 p.m. – Prize award ceremony at the amphitheater

June 23, 2025
Junior Ranger Camp (Ages 8–12)
8:30 a.m.–noon

Price:
$75 per participant
$55 for Cloudland Elementary students

Registration is now open!

Learn about safety, plants, animals, bugs, astronomy, environmental stewardship, history and more. At the conclusion of the week, each participant will be sworn in as an official Junior Ranger for Tennessee State Parks during the graduation ceremony and banquet.

Camp runs Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The graduation ceremony and party will take place Friday night from 6–8:30 p.m. at the park Conference Center.

The $75 registration fee includes a T-shirt, daily snacks and a fun awards celebration Friday night.