Roan Mountain State Park
Roan Mountain State Park
4.5
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Roan Mountain State Park is home to over 2000 acres of preserved forest. This park is rich in biodiversity and is home to the crystal clear doe river. Some popular activities are trout fishing, mountain biking, and hiking. There are also numerous overnight options such as fully equipped cabins, and over a hundred campsites. More information on this park and many more can be found at the TN State Parks website.
Duration: More than 3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
334 reviews
Excellent
254
Very good
71
Average
6
Poor
3
Terrible
0
Tracy H
4 contributions
Sep 2024 • Family
What a gorgeous park!
We camped 2 nights in the upper campground- which is the “older” section. We got in quite late, and it had rained-the spots were small and we had to back uphill into a really tight and short site. We have a 20’ TT, and we had picked a difficult spot. See if you can find better descriptions online before booking- The descriptions on the website are not detailed enough to figure out if your camper will fit easily. Campground roads in the upper campground are steep and narrow. The lower campground is much more flat and accessible to larger campers. After we got in and set up though, we had a great time! There are many hiking trails, an excellent visitor center, several playground areas, and a beautiful little river that goes through the park.
We were close enough to the Blue Ridge Parkway for a side trip of sightseeing, wine tasting and apple picking. The park is also close to the AT.
We camped 2 nights in the upper campground- which is the “older” section. We got in quite late, and it had rained-the spots were small and we had to back uphill into a really tight and short site. We have a 20’ TT, and we had picked a difficult spot. See if you can find better descriptions online before booking- The descriptions on the website are not detailed enough to figure out if your camper will fit easily. Campground roads in the upper campground are steep and narrow. The lower campground is much more flat and accessible to larger campers. After we got in and set up though, we had a great time! There are many hiking trails, an excellent visitor center, several playground areas, and a beautiful little river that goes through the park.
We were close enough to the Blue Ridge Parkway for a side trip of sightseeing, wine tasting and apple picking. The park is also close to the AT.
Written September 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KMW-FL
Port Saint Lucie, FL688 contributions
Oct 2021
We have a group of friends that meet up each year in the area and this year we stayed at the cabins in the State Park instead of renting an 'outside' place to stay. The cabins are a 'no-frills' type...kitchen has necessary utensils for quick meals, microwave, coffee maker, fridge. Nice common area with wood stove (also has electric heat). Our cabin had a bedroom (queen bed) downstairs and two twins in the loft, one bathroom. The trails to the cabins are not level so there is a 'hike' to some of them. They furnish carts to get your supplies to your cabin. The staff was friendly. Check in at the Ranger Station. We also visited the Miller Farmstead with Marco who was a fantastic tour guide. Check with the office for times of tours. Craver's Gap is just a few miles away where you can hike the Appalachian Trail to a few 'Balds' if you're wanting that type of hiking. Also, there are several trails right there in the Park too. Be prepared for some sore legs....Forest Road Trail is tough coming from Moonshiners Trail up.... :) All in all, a good place to enjoy the outdoors regardless of time of year.
Written October 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing many of the great features of our park. We appreciate your review and look forward to your next visit
Written October 27, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
countryeditor
Martha's Vineyard, MA105 contributions
Jul 2021
We stayed for two nights in a cabin at Roan Mountain State Park, expecting to do a lot of hiking in the park. We soon discovered that the park is only 8 miles from the Appalachian Trail. You drive up the mountain to Carvers Gap (where it can be difficult to find a parking space, depending on the time of day) and then hike the A.T. to Round Bald and Jane Bald. Just past Jane Bald, you can veer off on another trail and go on to Grassy Ridge Bald. It's about 5.5 miles from Carvers Gap to Grassy Ridge Bald and back. The next day, we drove on past Carvers Gap, paid a $3 admission fee, and then hiked to the rhododendron gardens and Roan High Bluff (highly recommended!).
As for Roan Mountain State Park, a couple of notes:
1. If you're staying at the cabins, you check in at the Park Headquarters (not the Visitors Center). The GPS address they give you is quite a distance away from the Park Headquarters.
2. The Tennessee State Parks website says that the Miller Farmstead is open Wednesday through Sunday, but it was closed when we visited on Wednesday, July 21.
3. Our cabin had a power outage from around 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. one of the days we stayed there. The emergency light over the staircase came on.
As for Roan Mountain State Park, a couple of notes:
1. If you're staying at the cabins, you check in at the Park Headquarters (not the Visitors Center). The GPS address they give you is quite a distance away from the Park Headquarters.
2. The Tennessee State Parks website says that the Miller Farmstead is open Wednesday through Sunday, but it was closed when we visited on Wednesday, July 21.
3. Our cabin had a power outage from around 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. one of the days we stayed there. The emergency light over the staircase came on.
Written July 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello countryeditor, thanks for the positive feedback! We're always happy to hear good things from our customers.
Written July 30, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kevin B
Beech Mountain, NC11 contributions
Jun 2022
It's late June and he Rhododendron are in full bloom! We have been visiting Roan Mtn state park forever. Carvers gap is an amazing hike that is what I would call low moderate. I am an old amputee and I grab my stick and go. When you go into the NC state park there are a few amazing trails that take you to some overlooks and to the beautiful Rhododendrons. It can be tricky to catch them in full bloom and we made it this time. Oh my. So beautiful. The trip up is very easy and the views are spectacular. If you take a meal there are several nice picnic tables in the State park. There is a small fee to go into the state park or free for 100% disabled veterans.
Written June 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is great news! We're so happy to know that you had a good experience
Written July 7, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Michael R
Granville, OH521 contributions
Aug 2021
There were really terrific views from several vantage points on different moderate hikes. We started at the roadside parking at Carver's Gap virtually on the NC-TN state line, and hiked east along the Appalachian Trail to the top of the first of three balds. We only went to the first one, Round Bald, a moderate 0.6 miles in, and got a spectacular 360 degree view looking south into NC and north into TN, and the other two balds to the east. One can hike to Jane Bald and then Big Grassy Bald and on a future visit I'd like to do that. We then drove up the side road adjacent to the Carver's Gap parking (or you can hike there going west on the Appalachian Trail) to the Cloudland Trail on Roan High Bluff. A side trail 0.2 miles in leads to a terrific overview looking north. We then hiked 1.2 miles further through the rhododendron garden and an even more spectacular view from the high bluff. Well worth it.
A couple other notes about the High Bluff trail specifically: there is a parking fee of $3 which you pay at an unattended paybox, on the honor system. Cash only. Also, a popular trails website implied that the Cloudland Trail is accessed from the ruins of a defunct hotel which is at the far end of the parking loop. We spent an hour following the wrong trail from there before figuring out that the Cloudland Trail that goes to the High Bluff overlooks specifically starts at a point near the entrance to the parking loop. It is well marked but _only_ if you drive or walk past the restrooms toward the exit of the parking lot.
A couple other notes about the High Bluff trail specifically: there is a parking fee of $3 which you pay at an unattended paybox, on the honor system. Cash only. Also, a popular trails website implied that the Cloudland Trail is accessed from the ruins of a defunct hotel which is at the far end of the parking loop. We spent an hour following the wrong trail from there before figuring out that the Cloudland Trail that goes to the High Bluff overlooks specifically starts at a point near the entrance to the parking loop. It is well marked but _only_ if you drive or walk past the restrooms toward the exit of the parking lot.
Written August 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is great news! We're so happy to know that you had a good experience.
Written September 10, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
4adventures
509 contributions
Jan 2023
One of our favorite TN state parks. Bummer they closed the pool permanently. Area is rich with hiking trails, beautiful scenery and features the Doe River running thru. We hear it is great for brown trout fly fishing, license required. We did not see a lot of wildlife may be due to the state hwy running thru the middle of the park. Campground is fairly well maintained, laundry and campground office are closed seasonally. In the winter months the bathhouses are open with moderate heat and luke warm water for showers. Have stayed in the park cabins - some what comfortable but missing firebricks in the wood stove in the cabin we stayed. Made it hard to keep warm a good fire going. Park staff is friendly. Close proximity to Roan Mountain city and short drive to Carvers Gap.
Written January 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are glad you enjoyed your experience at Tennessee State Parks. Please visit us again soon!
Written January 30, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DTD84
Port Saint Lucie37 contributions
Jun 2020
This is a must see! June is the month where the rhododenrons all bloom and wow are they beautiful. We went twice in two weeks and didn't catch the peak which was late this year but by seeing how many trees and buds there were you can expect a sea of flowers when they are in bloom. The Gardens have some nice walkways most have tree cover so it keeps cool. The humidity there is usually high so it will be cool and slightly damp most of the time. There is a short but moderately difficult hike to a skywalk lookout point where the view is extraordinary.
Written August 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So glad that you enjoyed your trip! Yes, the rhododendron are beautiful when they are in full bloom! It is hard, however, to catch them at peak! So many things play a factor! The sunshine, wind and rain! But, the view is spectacular any season!
Written August 3, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jamie
Charlotte, NC2 contributions
Sep 2020 • Couples
Beautiful state park with a lot of great hiking trails. Their website has an event section that I recommend. We were able to listen to live music in the amphitheater! The welcome center has maps & great area information.
Written September 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing many of the great features of our park. We appreciate your review and look forward to your next visit!
Written September 14, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Valerie C
12 contributions
Oct 2020
We traveled in a small RV and camped at Roan Mountain State Park campground. Water & electric hook ups, large paved space with a great stone fire put, charcoal grill, picnic table and beautiful wooded setting. Park ranger was very helpful when we arrived at the campground after dark. Just a beautiful tranquil place to camp. Looking forward to visiting again!
Written October 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the positive feedback about our amazing campground, and the kind words about our Park Ranger! We will make sure to pass your comments along! Please visit us again soon!
Written October 23, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
mathstud
Mulberry, FL548 contributions
Jun 2021 • Solo
Wow! What an awesome visit. The visitor center had a good exhibit. The farmstead was very good. The rodadendrum garden was great, although I recommend some bug repellant. There was a $3 parking fee but worth it.
Written June 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing many of the great features of our park. We appreciate your review and look forward to your next visit!
Written July 9, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Do you think the rhododendrons will be blooming by June 7?
Written June 1, 2023
I reserved a spot that has 50amp service. Will it also have a 30 amp?
Written May 21, 2022
123travelfun123
Benton, Tennessee
Will the rhododendrons still
Be blooming nicely on July 3, 2021? Or is it pretty far past peak?
Written July 1, 2021
Dates of peaks blooming this year.
Some hiking trails.
Place near by to stay.
Written May 17, 2021
Are there outdoor fire rings at the cabins? Can we bring our own firewood?
Written April 15, 2021
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