Roan Mountain State Park

Very pretty area. I think the hiking trails are for more experienced hikers because there are very steep hills going up and down mtn and not very well maintained. Dangerous in many spots.
The cabins are nice inside, open living room and dinning area which includes small wood burning stove instead of fireplace, master suite on main level and loft has two separate sleeping areas with beds.
Cabin grounds area are monitored by park rangers. Curfew and noise level rules strictly enforced.

Tony Vanoy, Noël Lori-​Elizabeth Teel and I went to Roan Mountain State Park on Saturday January 9^th, 2016 the day after my 52^nd birthday. We went here to look around and check out the scenic views. The sites were gorgeous and the best park of the trip, the park was FREE. My goal is to see as much as I can see to fill out my bucket list and as cheap as possible. I would like to write a blog or book about what we have seen and what you can see if you wanted to. There is camping in this park along with great picnic areas with grills. The water is wonderful for just enjoying.

The park is beautiful. This was our first trip here. We stayed in the cabins. They are amazing!!! I have never stayed in a state park with cabins that included all linens and towels and a fully stocked kitchen gear. Thus was more like renting a house at a hotel price. We saw plenty of deer during our stay. There are so many rhododendron plants. I would love to visit in late june/​July when they are in full bloom. We took 2 short easy hikes, the peg leg mine by the visitor center and the tom grey trail by the campground.

We first visited Roan Mountain while hiking the Appalachian trail. We feel in love with it here. There is just something about this mountain. We decided to return and stay in a cabin here for the weekend at the end of November. The cabins are so comfy and have wood pilled up to keep you warm by the fire. Highly recommend the cabins! And of course a MUST is hiking to the bald’s on Roan Mountain. The views were totally different from when we first hiked Roan in the summer. I warn you this– you will never want to leave!

Roan Mountain State Park is beautiful. It is by far one of my favorite places since moving here.

We love this park !!! We hike in cool weather to avoid snakes, poison ivy, fleas and ticks. This was our first cold season of trying out this park. Wish winter would last a little longer so the dogs and I could enjoy a few more hikes here. The dogs love to get in the creeks/​rivers after getting hot. We have been 4 times in a month and each time there was hardly anyone there. This park is very clean. Well maintained. Open bathrooms year round at pool and visitors center. The staff I have met (2 rangers and clerk at visitors center) were all knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. They gave me great info about the different hiking options in the park. I do not enjoy the winding drive to park. Cant wait till next winter !!!

Another great place for camping & hiking in TN! The campground is nice & offers more private campsites than a lot of places (which can be reserved online). The last time we camped there ours had a row of bushes completely surrounding the site — nice!
Hiking is great here. Beautiful mountain views. I believe it’s the Chestnut Ridge Trail that I’m recalling in particular. The rhododendron festival in June is amazing (be prepared to sit in traffic a while though — go early!).

I’m specifically reviewing the Roan Mountain High Bluff Trail (part of the Appalachian Trail), which is 8 miles past the park on highway 143. It is accessible from the parking lot at Carver’s Gap. This is a FANTASTIC trail – one of the most beautiful hikes I’ve ever taken. Since Roan is a bald mountain, the views are spectacular. Be sure to wear sunscreen as you won’t be shaded by forests on this trail – don’t worry you won’t miss the shade. I’d call the trail easy in most places to moderate as you ascend to Roan High Knob. The mountain is home to some beautiful wildflowers including the rare Gray’s Lily. Roan is also home to a herd of mohair goats that have been brought up to eat the invasive blackberry and preserve the bald grassland. Love, love, love it.