Roan Mountain State Park
- Status
- Open (per official listing)
- Entrance fee
- Not posted
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed, with restrictions
- Camping
- YesAlso cabins
- Official site
- reserve.tnstateparks.com(423) 547-3900
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 3
Water quality Notice to Park VisitorsThe Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is currently developing plans to replace the bridge that provides access to the upper campground… (more)
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is currently developing plans to replace the bridge that provides access to the upper campground loops of Roan Mountain State Park. We understand this may cause inconvenience for reservations and appreciate your patience over the next few years. The scope of the project has grown due to the need for a more sustainable design that can better withstand future flooding. We fully support TDOT in building a safer, more resilient bridge for long-term use. Thank you for your understanding and continued support as we work to improve your park experience.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Partial closure Partial Trail ClosureBlue 2 trail will be partially closed through December 2026 due to the construction of our new wastewater treatment plant. The trail has been… (more)
Blue 2 trail will be partially closed through December 2026 due to the construction of our new wastewater treatment plant. The trail has been rerouted, and signage is in place for the closed areas. New trail length is approximately .75 miles. Please do not enter the construction zone. Violators will be prosecuted under T.C.A. 11.1.108.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Partial closure Roan Mountain State Park Current Status: Open with Significant ClosuresRoan Mountain State Park and Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area experienced significant damage from the storms caused by Hurricane Helene in… (more)
Roan Mountain State Park and Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area experienced significant damage from the storms caused by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Portions of the park are closed to the public for safety. Visitors must exercise extreme caution as many trails have seen extensive damage. We are working hard to get things back open for our community and our visitors. We ask that you please bear with us as we continue to work to restore and rebuild our beautiful park. Please do not access restricted areas of Roan Mountain State Park currently closed to the public. Accessing a closed or restricted area of the park is a violation of park rules and regulations, subject to a class C misdemeanor. T.C.A. 11-1-108. For a full list of trail closures, please visit https://tnstateparks.com/parks/activity-detail/roan-mountain-hiking As of February 5, 2026, the following remain CLOSED due to storm damage and safety concerns. Park Area - CLOSURES: • Upper Campground • Bear Wallow Trail Hampton Creek Cove Natural Area - Permanent CLOSURES: • Birchfield Trail If you have any questions about your upcoming reservation, you are welcome to contact Central Reservations at 1 (888)…
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
Covering about 2,006 acres, Roan Mountain State Park lies in Carter County, about 14 miles southeast of Elizabethton.
Popular activities here are historic sites, swimming, fishing, biking, and hiking. For overnight stays there are 7 camping areas (RV sites, tent sites, and group camping). If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office | Not stated | 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. | — |
| Campground | Please note that check-in time for camping is 4:00 pm. Check-out time is 12:00 pm. | ||
Official wording
Office Hours: 8:30am - 4:00pm
Park Office Hours: 8:30am - 4:00pm
Please note that check-in time for camping is 4:00 pm. Check-out time is 12:00 pm.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- Tennessee State Parks reservation site (itinio platform) for camping, cabins, shelters, programs; some lodges/cabins via reseze.net; golf via foreUP
- Phone
- 1-888-867-2757 (888-TNPARKS)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed, with restrictions
Not allowed in or on: cabins.
Cabin Pet Policy A limited number of cabins are available at each park for guests who travel with their pets. Guests must sign a Pet Policy Liability Form (CN-1181) upon check-in agreeing to abide by TN State Parks pet policy set forth and there is a $20 charge per night per pet that will be assessed at check-in. Pets are strictly prohibited inside cabins unless they are specifically designated as a pet-friendly cabin and all additional pet charges are paid. Due to allergy issues, pets may not be kept on porches or decks of non-pet cabins. If pets are kept at non-pet cabins, a minimum penalty of $100.00, plus all applicable nightly pet fees will be assessed. Additional charges for damages caused by pets may also be assessed at the discretion of management. Additional charges may also be assessed at the discretion of management for damages caused by guests, their visitors, pets, etc.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campground B | — | — | |
| Group Campground | — | — | |
| Campground A | — | — | |
| Campground A - Tent | — | — | |
| Rosebay Ridge Campground 3 | — | — | |
| Rosebay Ridge Campground 2 | — | — | |
| Rosebay Ridge Campground 1 | — | — |
Camping details from the park
Each of Roan Mountain State Park's 106 campsites come equipped with a grill and picnic table. 86 RV sites with hookup and 20 tent sites round out the campground.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
Roan Mountain State Park offers thirty deluxe cabins nestled in the woods. Each cabin is fully furnished and complete with front porch rocking chairs.
Things to do
CampingHistoric sites and toursFishingSwimmingHikingBiking
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bearwallow Trail | 2.35 mi | Hard | Status: closed. Moderate to Difficult. This loop trail travels through a typical Southern Appalachian forest. Two spur trails allow hikers to enter or exit the loop from access points in the campground. This trail climbs and descends steeply in places, making its loop around the entire campground. The trail leads hikers alongside the Doe River before ascending a moderate hike into lush thickets of rhododendron. Hikers on the Bearwallow Trail can expect to traverse a rich Appalachian ecosystem consisting of mountain hollows and stream crossings. The trail ends at the junction to the Riverside Trail, where hikers can continue back to the campground.HikeNatural surface |
| Blue 2 Trail | 1.6 mi | Moderate | Status: partial closure. See Park Alert. Hiking - easy to moderate. Biking - Moderate to Hard. Mountain-bike trail standards would rate this single-track loop as easy, but it does require some experience. It climbs and descends steeply in short sections and makes some narrow switchback turns. With careful observation, hikers and bikers will see evidence of old homes and farm sites that are located throughout this hollow. The mountain bike trails should not be ridden when they are muddy, as riding in wet conditions damages the trails. Mountain bikers should wear helmets while riding. The mountain bike trails are always open to hikers. Please be courteous to fellow trail users and call out before passing.HikeMountain bikeNatural surface |
| Chestnut Ridge Trail | 1.8 mi | Hard | This trail is very strenuous, the most challenging trail in the park. Hikers can access the Chestnut Ridge Trail from the Forest Road Trail. The Chestnut Ridge climbs very steeply through deciduous forest and rhododendron thickets. The trail quickly gains elevation on its way to the Miller Farmstead on Strawberry Mountain. Views from the trail are especially nice in winter when the leaves have fallen from the trees. At the top of the trail, hikers are rewarded with a stunning view of the Roan Highlands from an overlook platform. Black bears frequent this remote section of the park. Hikers are encouraged to make noise and hike in pairs.HikeNatural surface |
| Forest Road Trail | 2.75 mi | Hard | Moderate to Hard. The longest trail in the park connects the visitor center and the campground and acts as a link to several other trails. The southern section of the trail is rated easy from the campground to the cabin area. From the cabin area to the north, the trail ranges from moderately difficult to difficult. The section from the Turkey Trot junction to Hwy 143 is very steep, but worth the effort, especially in spring when the forest floor is carpeted in wildflowers. Hikers on the Forest Road Trail can expect rhododendron tunnels, bridge crossings over the Doe River, and beautiful views of Roan Mountain during the winter months.HikeNatural surface |
| Moonshiners Run | 1 mi | Moderate | Easy to Moderate. This linear trail mostly follows the Doe River from the southwestern Turkey Trot trailhead to Hwy 143 at Cates Hole. The trail consists mostly of rolling hills and a few steep climbs. Trail users will find many places to stop and take a break next to the Doe River while enjoying riverside views and spring wildflowers.HikeNatural surface |
| Peg Leg Mine Trail | 1.1 mi | Moderate | The loop trail begins behind the visitor center and highlights how habitat types differ with changing elevation and moisture conditions. The effects of invasive species on indigenous plants and trees, like the Eastern Hemlock, are also noticeable on the trail. About halfway along your hike, a side trail will lead to the ruins of an iron ore mine that was operational in the late 1800s, during a time when iron ore mining was a prominent industry in the area. Most of the mine shaft has caved in over the years, so entry is prohibited for safety reasons. As you near the mine site, you will notice the scarred landscape containing mine test holes and rail cart path-ways. Upon arriving to the mine site, you will find steps that lead down to the en-trance where miners and carts, loaded with iron-rich rock, once came and went. Upon returning to the main trail, hikers can see diverse wildlife as they move through the Appalachian forest past unique rock formations, hiking down and over small ridges, and meandering along the Doe River before returning to the visitor center.HikeNatural surface |
| Raven Rock Trail | 1 mi | Hard | Access for the trail is available at two junctions along the Forest Road Trail. Although the trail is rated difficult, it is considered by many hikers to be one of the favorite trails in the park. The trail is steep from either direction and ascends quickly to the crest of Heaton Ridge. The Raven Rock Overlook is located approximately halfway from either end of the trail. In addition to spring wildflowers, the trail offers stunning views of the Roan Valley and surrounding mountain ranges and is a great place to watch a Roan Mountain Sunset.HikeNatural surface |
| Riverside Trail | 2.65 mi | Easy | The Riverside Trail provides access from the cabin area to the amphitheater and picnic Shelter 2 by way of a boardwalk over a restored wetland. At Shelter 2, the trail enters the woods and leads hikers alongside the peaceful Doe River. The trail passes the group camp area to connect the Bear Wallow Trail. Hikers along the Riverside Trail can stop for a break along the water or find a spot to cast a line in the Doe River. The river is home to several types of trout and sustains several unique species. If you are lucky, you might even see an Eastern Hellbender salamander.HikeNatural surface |
| Rosebay Ridge Trail | 0.5 mi | Moderate | This scenic trail follows the ridgeline through groves of rosebay rhododendrons and a lush oak-hickory forest. Built by dedicated AmeriCorps volunteers, the trail leads hikers to the park’s peaceful backcountry area. Visitors are welcome to continue exploring the backcountry, but please remain on the marked trail and respect the privacy of any campers you may encounter. Backcountry camping is permitted only at designated campsites and by reservation.HikeNatural surface |
| Tom Gray Trail | 0.4 mi | Easy | Storybook Trail hike follows along the Doe River. Books are available for purchase at the Campground Check-In Station and Visitor Center Gift Shop. A self-guided nature brochure is also available.HikeNatural surface |
| Turkey Trot Trail | 0.25 mi | Hard | Moderate to Hard. This trail begins at the cabin overflow parking lot and ends at the top of the ridge. It serves as an access point from the cabin area to the Forest Road Trail and Moonshiners Run Trail.HikeNatural surface |
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic shelters
- Visitor center
- Nature center or museum
- Park or camp store
- Restaurant or food service
- Laundry
- Group facilities
Camping
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Group camping
Lodging
- Cabins
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Roan Mountain State Park features three primitive backcountry campsites on our Rosebay Ridge Trail, accessible from the Visitor Center area. During your stay, camper vehicles must be parked at the Visitor Center Parking Lot.
ADA Sites: Proof of ADA eligibility must be presented at check-in prior to occupying an ADA-designated site. Failure to present proof of eligibility could result in the cancellation of your reservation.
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 1015 Highway 143
Roan Mountain, TN 37687 - Nearest town
- Elizabethton — about 14 mi southeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 36.1764, -82.0796
- Phone
- (423) 547-3900
- State.Parks@tn.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Tennessee State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- TDEC Bureau of Conservation 'State Park Boundaries Primary' public ArcGIS view
- Wikidata
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. “Last changed” (Oct 29, 2026) is when the information shown here last differed from the previous check. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology