Hiking at Roan Mountain

From Jane Bald, looking back along the main, open ridgeline of Roan Mountain.

General Information

Located on the North Carolina/Tennessee state line, Roan Mountain is actually more of a mountain range than a single peak. Famous for its Catawba Rhododendron gardens with its brilliant purple flowers, the Roan is a wonderful place to visit and hike any time of the year, with cross country skiing possible during the winter (as the Roan gets more snow than almost any other location in the area). It is one of the highest ranges in the Southern Appalachians, with peaks topping out at over 6200'. The Appalachian Trail - the main hiking opportunity on the peak - traverses the ridgetops while a few other trails travel throughout the area, including one fully accessible trail through the main Gardens area.

Besides the Rhodododendrons, which bloom in mid-June, most people will find the mountain interesting for a variety of reasons. The area's balds are probably the next-most interesting feature. These treeless mountaintops offer spectacular views, fields of grass waving in the winds, and an alpine-like hiking experience. In other places, a dense spruce-fir forest grows, some of the healthiest examples of this ecosystem left in the southern Appalachians since being devastated over the last few decades by the Balsam Wooly Adelgid. A unique historical site, that of the Cloudland Hotel, offers a glimpse into the mountains' past while the mountain's name itself has been subject to legends of origin and historcal debate.

The Name

What does "Roan" mean? It depends on who you ask. Some say the name refers to Daniel Boone's "roan" or reddish horse, which he supposedly rode into the area. It could also refer to the reddish appearance of the Rhododendron blooms or of various other wildflowers or berries (such as mountain ash) that grace the mountaintop. Whatever the origin, the name has stuck, and it's official now.

Places to Stay near Roan Mountain

The closest place to stay to Roan Mountain is Roan Mountain State Park located at the bottom of the mountain on the Tennessee side. In addition to the camping and lodging options listed below, the State Park offers a variety of things to do including more walking and hiking trails (12 miles worth), a swimming pool, playgrounds, volleyball, horseshoes, ping-pong, basketball, softball, tennis, picnicking, a game room, and more. For more information, call 1-800-250-8620 or visit their web site.
http://state.tn.us/environment/parks/RoanMtn/

Camping

Roan Mountain State Park Campground
There are 107 sites with grills and picnic tables. 87 are RV sites with water and electrical hookups; the rest are tent sites with community water spigots. The bathhouses have hot showers.

Lodging

Roan Mountain State Park Cabins
Thirty AAA cabins are situated in the woods of Roan Mountain State Park. Each cabin has a front porch with rocking chairs, fully outfitted kitchen, full bath with tub/shower, wood burning stove and gas/electric heat. Firewood, bedding and towels are provided by the park.

Directions to Roan Mountain

There are a variety of (good) ways to get to Roan Mountain. It is located where NC 261 and TN 143 join on the NC/TN state line. Please use a map! The following directions are for the least-curvy route.

From Asheville

Most people give directions passing through Bakersville, NC, but this road is extremely curvy with lots of intersections. The following trip is longer, but takes about the same amount of time and is less snake-like as it passes through the mountains.

Follow I-26 West to Johnson City, Tennessee (about 50 miles). Take Exit 31 to Elizabethton - US 321. Follow US 321 to US 19E in Elizabethton. Turn right; follow US 19E for 17 miles to the town of Roan Mountain. Turn right on Tennessee State Road 143, following the signs for Roan Mountain State Park. Proceed through the park and up the mountain to Carvers Gap on the NC state line.

From Boone

Follow NC Hwy. 105 S to the intersection with NC 184. Turn right; proceed through Banner Elk on NC 184 to the intersection with NC 194. Turn left; follow NC 194 for about 6 miles to US-19E. Turn right; follow this to the town of Roan Mountain across the Tennessee state line. Turn left on Tennessee State Road 143, following the signs for Roan Mountain State Park. Proceed through the park and up the mountain to Carvers Gap on the NC state line.

Once you are at Carvers Gap, you can just park there to hike the Appalachian Trail or turn right and proceed to the summit parking areas. There is a $3.00 fee per vehicle for parking at the summit.