If you’ve ever seen the Appalachian Mountains in Tennessee — close up or passing through on a road trip — you may have seen Roan Mountain. The mountain is more than 6,200 feet high (one of the highest in Tennessee), near the North Carolina border and is known as “a jewel of nature.”

The mountain, known for its grassy balds, is a popular hiking spot for locals and visitors to the state. Grassy balds are unique high-elevation areas on mountains where the terrain is covered in grasses and low-lying vegetation rather than the dense forests typically found at such heights. Meaning, you get an open (panoramic) view of the landscape.

From enjoying amenities at Roan Mountain State Park, hiking from Carvers Gap to Grassy Ridge Bald (which includes part of the iconic Appalachian Trail), to primitive dispersed camping on the mountain, there’s a variety of activities for you to enjoy.

Here are my top three things to do on Roan Mountain.

Visit Roan Mountain State Park

The drive to Roan Mountain State Park from Elizabethton in Carter County, Tennessee, takes about 30 minutes. You’ll arrive at the 2,000-acre park sitting at the base of Roan Mountain to find camping facilities, picnic areas and several hiking trail options. And although the mature and lush hardwood forests with tall evergreen trees like spruce-fir are beautiful, the park is known for its (native to Tennessee) rhododendron gardens.

Rhododendron plants (sort of like large bushes), have vibrant, colorful flowers and large, evergreen leaves. These gardens are everywhere around the park. Their blooms range from white and pink to red, purple, and yellow. Think of them like rose gardens but instead of rose blooms, they have clusters of large flowers. Some are native to the area and some are planted by staff to enhance the park.

You’ll also experience the benefits of some of the park’s 2024 improvements.

“Thanks to funding from the Great American Outdoors Act, the Roan Mountain Recreation Area will have new interpretive signage, improvements to the picnic area and visitor center, as well as other general maintenance improvements that will make it even better for visitors when it reopens in 2025,” said Luke Freeman, director of tourism for Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce.

Here are three specific improvements you’ll notice:

Enhanced Trail Systems: Staff expanded (and upgraded) the park’s trail network with improved signage and trail markers — making navigation easier for hikers of all skill levels. The addition of new boardwalks and bridges over sensitive areas also helps protect the delicate ecosystem. For example, the improvements along the Round Bald Trail, which now has new wooden boardwalks over alpine bog areas, helps prevent erosion and protect vegetation like the rare Gray’s lily.

Revamped Visitor Center: Workers also gave the visitor’s center a much-needed facelift, featuring a new multimedia theater with comfortable, reclining seats and a state-of-the-art 4K projector with a 200-inch screen. The theater has shows like Roan Mountain: A Journey Through Time, a 30-minute film that explores the geological and cultural history of the region. You’ll also find new interactive exhibits and educational displays that showcase the park’s natural and cultural history.

Upgraded Campground Facilities: There are also major renovations at the Riverside Campground. The campground now has modern restrooms with heated floors and private shower stalls. And the new communal fire pits are perfect for group gatherings. There’s also improved electrical and water hookups that make it easier if you’re an RV camper.

Hike from Carvers Gap to Grassy Ridge Bald

One of the most popular hikes on Roan Mountain is the moderately difficult 5-mile out-and-back trail from Carvers Gap to Grassy Ridge Bald in Pisgah-Cherokee National Forest.

The drive from Roan Mountain State Park to Carver’s Gap typically takes about 25 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic and road conditions. The scenic drive along TN 143 S also gives you views of the surrounding mountains, which make it an enjoyable little road trip.

Starting at Carver’s Gap: Carver’s Gap sits at an elevation of 5,512 feet. The gap marks the border between Tennessee and North Carolina and is a significant point on the Appalachian Trail. The AT is an iconic part of American history, stretching over 2,180 miles from Georgia to Maine. Hiking this section connects you to a long tradition of trailblazing and exploration.

The Journey to Grassy Ridge Bald: As you set off from Carver’s Gap, the trail ascends through a spruce-fir forest, offering cool, shaded respite even on hot days. You’ll soon reach the open balds (which are just as amazing in person as they are in photographs). Along the way, keep an eye out for a variety of wildflowers and trees. You’ll likely encounter Catawba Rhododendron (those beautiful blooming tall plants), Gray’s lily — a rare red lily that blooms in the high-elevation meadows and Fraser Fir, an evergreen tree. You may also spot an Indigo Bunting (which I saw on the hike in early July). These small, vibrant blue birds are often seen flitting among the trees and shrubs. White-tailed deer are common in the park and keep your eye out for an Eastern box turtle that hikers frequently spotted crossing the trails or basking in the sun.

Reaching Grassy Ridge Bald: The final ascent to Grassy Ridge Bald is challenging but rewarding. At an elevation of 6,165 feet, the bald offers you 360-degree views that are nothing short of breathtaking. On a clear day, you can see as far as Virginia and Kentucky. The open, grassy summit is a perfect spot for a picnic or simply to rest and take in the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains.

Dispersed Camping on the Mountain

Dispersed camping on Roan Mountain is very popular — especially in areas managed by the Cherokee and Pisgah National Forests. It is legal, but there are specific guidelines and regulations that campers need to follow to ensure they are camping responsibly and preserving the natural environment.

Like all dispersed camping, choose your campsite on the mountain wisely. Camp at least 200 feet away from water sources like streams, rivers, and lakes to protect water quality and minimize your impact on the environment, avoid camping in meadows or fragile vegetation areas. Instead, look for established campsites where the ground is already compacted. And stay away from trails and roads to maintain the natural landscape and avoid disturbing other visitors.

Check the weather forecast before your trip and be prepared for sudden changes. Roan Mountain can experience rapid weather changes, including rain, wind, and cold temperatures.

And remember to leave no trace, carry a map, compass, or GPS device, and know how to use them. Mobile phone signals can be unreliable in remote areas. If you pack a well-stocked first aid kit, extra food, water, and clothing, you should have sufficient gear for staying warm and dry on the mountain — including a high-quality sleeping bag, tent, and rain gear.

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Suzanne Downing is an outdoor writer and photographer in Montana with an environmental science journalism background. Her work can be found in Outdoors Unlimited, Bugle Magazine, Missoulian, Byline Magazine, Communique, MTPR online, UM Native News, National Wildlife Federation campaigns and more.