Bridge Closures as of Nov. 17: Due to damage sustained during a recent flood event on the Doe River, there are two trail bridges in the park that are no longer available. The bridge connecting the wetland boardwalk trail to Picnic Shelter 2 is gone, as is the bridge connecting the Group Camp area to the Riverside Trail. Walking access along the western bank of the Doe River is still available via the Riverside Trail access point from Picnic Shelter 2 or via the Fred Behrend Trail access behind the Camp Store in the Campground. Thank you for your patience as we work to replace these bridges.
Activities
Interpretive Programs
Miller Farmstead
The Miller Farmstead provides a glimpse back to the hardiness and self-sufficient lifestyles of the Appalachian settlers. The Miller house was built in 1908 and is now preserved as a reminder of the way folks used to live in these mountains. A barn, corn crib, hog pen, root cellar, smoke house, chicken house, spring house and, of course, an outhouse surround the old frame house. During the summer months, local musicians, storytellers and demonstrators of traditional folkways visit the house on Saturday afternoons to share their talents. October's autumn colors make a trip up to the house a treat. Every November the house gets decked out in holiday finery for the Old Time Yule at the Farmstead. Hot cider and snacks are served and live music fills the house. In 2015, the farmstead was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The farmstead is open Memorial Day to Labor Day, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Wednesday through Sunday and weekends in October.
Carvers Gap
Carver's Gap, a low point in the ridgeline of Roan Mountain, is eight miles past the park on highway 143. As you drive up the road you leave Roan Mountain State Park and enter Cherokee National Forest, which is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). The parking lot at the gap provides access to the Appalachian Trail. To the north, the AT crosses a series of grassy balds, virtually treeless areas that offer unobstructed views of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Tennessee and North Carolina. This 10 mile stretch of balds is touted by many AT thru hikers as one of the most beautiful sections of the entire trail. To the south, the AT climbs to the high point of the Roan Mountain ridge - 6,285 foot Roan High Knob.
To reach the famous Catawba rhododendron gardens and the old Cloudland Hotel site on Roan Mountain bear right at Carver's Gap onto the Forest Service access road. All vehicles must stop at the USFS fee station and pay a small fee to enter the gardens area. The access road is closed during the winter months. The Catawba rhododendrons normally bloom in mid to late June, putting on an amazing display of color.
Swimming
The pool opens for the 2017 season on Memorial Day, Monday, May, 29
ADMISSION
$5 per person
$3 for cabin and camping guests
GENERAL INFO
A snack bar, Mini-Bob’s, is open during pool hours and serves hamburgers, hotdogs, ice cream and more. Lifeguards are on duty and there is a wading pool for small children. WiFi is available.
Note: The pool will be open on Tuesday, July 4.
During August, the pool is open only on weekends. Hours of Operation are 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM on Saturday; 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Sunday.
Hiking/Biking
There are approximately 12 miles of hiking trails in Roan Mountain State Park and over 3 miles of mountain bike trails. Difficulty levels range from easy to strenuous.
Fishing
The Doe River is one of the most productive trout streams in the state and is in close proximity to other wild trout streams as well as the Watauga River. Most anglers flyfish for abundant Rainbow and Brown Trout in the streams. Other tackle is productive for bass, Walleye and catfish in the Watauga River.