A short 45-minute drive from ETSU sits a quaint town called Roan Mountain, Tennessee. It is near the border of North Carolina. While small, the village has many visitors since it is home to Roan Mountain State Park and just north of the Roan Highlands, a series of mountains that are part of the Appalachian Trail. The State Park offers cabins, campgrounds, tennis courts, an amphitheater, a visitor center, trails and picnic shelters that can be reserved. There are several Airbnb options available in the area, including the Cottage at Cove Creek, which is situated along the Doe River.

Many thru-hikers of the Appalachian Trail seek respite in the town and stay at the local pub and hostel, The Station at 19E. The place offers a variety of specialty sandwiches, such as the “Hiker Reuben” and “Bruce’s Awesome Panini,” as well as craft beer and nonalcoholic beverages. In the back of The Station is the Music Hall, which hosts various events and shows like Disney karaoke and the blues rock band, Virginia Sweet, which makes it a great gathering place for hikers and locals alike. Crazy Wolf, the bartender, is a friendly Cherokee local who wears a T-shirt that says, “not as white as I look,” underneath a Hawaiian shirt with mini-Sasquatches surfing. He claims, “It’s not the people that own the land, it’s the land that owns us,” commenting on the enjoyment of tourists and hikers visiting the area.

Photo of a statue near Roan Mountain. (Amy Helmendach/East Tennessean)

One could easily make a weekend trip or a day trip out of visiting Roan Mountain, as there is plenty to see and do, especially if you like to hike. There are more than 30 trails in the area, including a few mountain biking trails. The state park ranger recommends Peg Leg Mine Loop Trail as an easy but scenic path. She suggests the scenic overlook at Miller Farmstead which captures the Roan Highlands as well. The Miller Farmstead dates back to 1870 and offers guided tours from May to September. The walk to the overlook is mere feet from the gravel parking area and delivers a breathtaking view. Adjacent to the overlook is Chestnut Ridge Trail, considered a “very strenuous trail” that gains quick elevation on Strawberry Mountain. There is also a Monarch Waystation filled with Milkweed for the butterflies to feed on since the majestic insects are threatened with extinction.

One of the most stunning trails starts at Carver’s Gap Trailhead in Cherokee National Forest and Pisgah National Forest. Technically, it is located in North Carolina, but the trail zig-zags through both state lines and provides panoramic spectacles of the mountains in both Tennessee and North Carolina. At the summit of Round Bald, which is less than a mile hike, you’ll be greeted by the stunning mountain views that create a magical and serene atmosphere. On a clear day, the locals allege you can see as far as Charlotte, North Carolina. To the other side of the bald, you can see as far as Mt. Rogers, Whitetop Mountain and Sugar Mountain, as well as Elizabethton and the town of Roan Mountain. The trail is part of the Appalachian Trail which stretches 14 miles across Roan Mountain.

ETSU alumna, Jennifer Bauer, author of, “Roan Mountain History of an Appalachian Treasure,” writes about the Roan Highlands, “the elevation, climate and associated ecosystems combine to present one of the most biologically diverse places on our planet.” The tallest peak, Roan High Knob, stands at 6,285 feet, which makes the climate quite a bit cooler than Johnson City. Even the town of Roan Mountain lies at a higher elevation and offers a shorter summer and longer winter than neighboring counties.

Photo of a butterfly taken at Roan Mountain. (Amy Helmendach/East Tennessean)

Two trails that the locals highly recommend are the Rhododendron Gardens Trail and the Cloudland Trail, both of which are currently closed, due to construction, but are slated to reopen sometime in 2025. The best time to visit the Rhododendron Gardens Trail is in June when the flowers are in full bloom. Regional hikers Louise and Angie explain the rich history of the Cloudland Trail which once led up to a resort called The Cloudland Hotel. The hotel opened in 1885, with half of the rooms in North Carolina and the other half in Tennessee, as the property straddled the state boundaries. It has long since fallen due to the harsh climate.

If you plan to visit Roan Mountain, especially Carver’s Gap, bring plenty of water and use extreme caution while driving up the mountain due to winding curves and drop-offs. The cellular service is spotty, so plan accordingly. However, the journey to Roan Mountain is truly worthwhile, full of opportunities for adventure and exploration.

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