Roan Mountain Highlights
Notification Alert
Remaining Closures from Storm Damage
Due to severe weather in September 2024, Roan Mountain State Park is open, but with significant closures. We appreciate your patience as we restore and rebuild our beautiful park.
As of February 5th, 2026, the following areas remain closed to the public:
Park Closures:
- Upper Campground
- Bear Wallow Trail
Hampton Creek Cove Natural Area Permanent Closures:
- Birchfield Trail
For the most up-to-date list of trail closures, please view our hiking page.
VIEW TRAIL CLOSURES ON OUR HIKING PAGE
If you have any questions about your upcoming reservation, you are welcome to contact Central Reservations at 1 (888) 867-2757 Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM CST.
We are working hard to get things back open for our community and our visitors. The park is accepting volunteers for various projects throughout the area. Please use this link for a list of volunteer opportunities. Please do not access the restricted areas of Roan Mountain State Park, which are currently closed to the public. We hope to offer a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience for all those affected by Hurricane Helene.
Accessing a closed or restricted area of the park is a violation of park rules and regulations, subject to a class C misdemeanor.
Thank you for your patience and please stay safe.
A Mountain Haven
Roan Mountain State Park offers a captivating blend of natural beauty and rich history. From its vibrant rhododendrons to its historic Miller Farmstead, the park invites visitors to explore diverse landscapes and delve into its fascinating past. Whether you're seeking a challenging hike, a peaceful riverside campsite, or a glimpse into Appalachian heritage, Roan Mountain State Park promises an unforgettable experience.
Discover Roan Mountain State Park
Imagine a place where the air is crisp, the views are endless, and history whispers in the wind. Welcome to Roan Mountain State Park, a sanctuary nestled at the base of the majestic Roan Mountain massif. Here in the heart of the southern Appalachian Highlands, you can escape the everyday and immerse yourself in a world of natural beauty, rich history, and outdoor adventure. With challenging hikes, tranquil riverside camping, and breathtaking vistas, Roan Mountain State Park promises an unforgettable experience. Come explore the mountain's secrets, discover its hidden gems, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
History
The story of Roan Mountain State Park is one of transformation from a landscape shaped by early settlers and industry to a haven for recreation and conservation.
Before becoming a state park in 1959, the land was a tapestry of local residential houses, farmland, and iron mines. The area's rich iron ore deposits attracted entrepreneurs and laborers alike, leaving a lasting mark on the landscape. Iron mining and logging were historically conducted from the 1890s to the 1930s within Roan Mountain State Park. The Peg Leg Iron Ore Mine is an artifact from that time.
One of the most influential figures in Roan Mountain's history is Union General John T. Wilder. Drawn to the area after the Civil War due to mining interests, Wilder also recognized the mountain's potential for tourism. He built the Cloudland Hotel atop Roan Mountain, a grand establishment that employed locals and put Roan Mountain on the map as a popular destination.
Today, Roan Mountain State Park stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of the Appalachian Mountains. It's a place where you can step back in time at Miller Farmstead, a National Register of Historic Places site that tells the story of early 20th-century Appalachian subsistence farmers. You can explore remnants of the area's mining past along the Peg Leg Mine Loop Trail. Or you can simply lose yourself in the beauty of the surrounding landscape, knowing that you're walking in the footsteps of those who came before.
From the Rangers
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The Perfect Day
Begin your day with a tour of Miller Farmstead (advance registration recommended), stepping back in time to experience Appalachian farm life. Next, drive to the top of Roan Mountain and hike out on Round Bald for 360-degree views of the Cherokee National Forest System. Conclude your day with a visit to the Gift Shop.
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Insider Information
For a truly unique experience, embark on a short nighttime hike south along the Appalachian Trail from the Carver's Gap parking lot. This rewards visitors with the opportunity to experience the smallest species of owl in Tennessee — the northern saw-whet owl — near their nesting boxes beside the trail.
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Know Before You Go
Highway 19E from Elizabethton, TN, and Newland, NC, are the best routes to access the park's main road, which is Highway 143. Layers of clothing are recommended when visiting the park and surrounding areas. The higher elevations can cause temps to fluctuate 10 to 20 degrees on any given day.
Trails
Roan Mountain State Park offers a variety of trails for all skill levels, from easy riverside strolls to challenging climbs through the mountains. Moonshiner's Run, Blue 2, Forest Road, and Tom Gray Trails are recommended for wildflower viewing.
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Mountains and Vistas
Roan Mountain State Park sits at the base of the Roan Mountain massif, nestled between the Unaka and Blue Ridge ranges of the Appalachian Mountains. The Chestnut Ridge Overlook provides breathtaking views of the Roan Highlands Mountain range.
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Water Features
The Doe River flows through the heart of the park, offering opportunities for wading and fishing. Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area, managed by Roan Mountain State Park, is home to the Hampton Creek Cove Left Prong. Please do not stack or move rocks within the river. Changing or blocking the flow of the river can kill off endangered species such as the eastern hellbender salamander which resides in the Doe River.
Plants
The majority of forests across the park are Appalachian Cove Forest.
The shaded forest floors are rich with mosses, ferns, and ephemeral wildflowers.
Plant Types
- Beech (American Beech)
- Hemlock (Eastern Hemlock)
- Tulip Poplar (Tulip Tree, State Tree)
- Oak (Quercus spp.)
- Hickory
- Rosebay Rhododendron
Birds
There are plenty of opportunities for sighting birds, including the golden-winged warbler.
Nearby Hampton Cove Creek State Natural Area is a designated Important Bird Area.
Responsible Birding
- Do not endanger the welfare of birds.
- Tread lightly and respect bird habitat.
- Silence is golden.
- Do not use electronic sound devices to attract birds during nesting season, May-July.
- Take extra care when in a nesting area.
- Always respect the law and the rights of others, violators subject to prosecution.
- Do not trespass on private property.
- Avoid pointing your binoculars at other people or their homes.
- Limit group sizes in areas that are not conducive to large crowds.
Bird Species
- Acadian Flycatcher
- American Goldfinch
- Barred Owl
- Belted Kingfisher
- Black-and-White Warbler
- Black-throated Blue Warbler
- Blue Jay
- Blue-headed Vireo
- Carolina Chickadee
- Carolina Wren
- Cedar Waxwing
- Chestnut-sided Warbler
- Chipping Sparrow
- Common Raven
- Cooper’s Hawk
- Dark-eyed Junco
- Downy Woodpecker
- Eastern Bluebird
- Eastern Meadowlark
- Eastern Phoebe
- Eastern Towhee
- Eastern Wood-Pewee
- Field Sparrow
- Gray Catbird
- Great Blue Heron
- Hairy Woodpecker
- House Finch
- Indigo Bunting
- Louisiana Waterthrush
- Northern Bobwhite
- Northern Cardinal
- Northern Flicker
- Northern Parula
- Ovenbird
- Pileated Woodpecker
- Red-eyed Vireo
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Red-winged Blackbird
- American Redstart
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Ruffed Grouse
- Scarlet Tanager
- Screech Owl
- Song Sparrow
- Tufted Titmouse
- Turkey Vulture
- Wild Turkey
- Wood Thrush
- Yellow Warbler
- Mourning Dove
Animals
Roan Mountain State Park is home to a variety of wildlife.
At the center of the park, the Doe River is important to many of our sensitive species.
Animal Species
- Black Bear
- Bobcat
- Coyote
- Foxes
- Woodchuck (Groundhog)
- Rabbits
- Raccoon
- White-tailed Deer
- Boomer Squirrels
- Flying Squirrels
- Grey Squirrels
- Star-nose Moles
- Wild Hogs
- Stripped Skunk
- Mink
Inspiration
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