Roan Mountain State Park

Roan Mountain State Park features thousands of acres dominated by a rich hardwood forest along rugged ridges to accommodate any outdoor enthusiast. Named the 2016 State Park of the Year by Tennessee State Parks, Roan Mountain State Park offers a variety of activities and lodging opportunities throughout the year. The facility features 30 cabins along with RV and tent camping at the 107 site campground. Each cabin has a front porch with rocking chairs, an outfitted kitchen, full bath, wood burning stove, and gas/electric heat. Each campsite features a grill and picnic table, and is located near a bathhouse with hot showers. Fishing tends to be a popular activity at the park with the majestic Doe River winding its way through the center of the park with a healthy population of trout.

Roan Mountain State Park also features multiple trails to allow the public to enjoy the beauty of wildflowers and other pieces of the environment. The park also offers a variety of activities through the year, including the annual Rhododendron Festival.

Watauga Lake

The local name of the Watauga Reservoir created by the Tennessee Valley Authority with the 1948 completion of the Watauga Dam. Fed by the Watauga and Elk Rivers, the lake has an average depth of 52 feet, and covers 10 square miles of a valley that was once the town of Butler, Tennessee. It is stocked by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Administration with Walleye, Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill and more. The Cherokee National Forest surrounds Watauga Lake in some of the most beautiful country in the Tennessee River watershed. The original town of Butler, Tennessee, now sits at the bottom of Watauga Lake.“New” Butler was relocated to higher ground above the summer pool edge of the TVA reservoir. According to lake expert Holly C Ward, Watauga Lake is the third cleanest in the country. More than half of Watauga Lake’s shoreline lies within the Cherokee National Forest and cannot be developed. Recreational uses include boating, fishing, water-skiing, and camping. There is no horse-power limit or speed limit for boats operating on the lake. Several fee-based public and private boat launch ramps provide access on the Hampton side of the reservoir. The release of impounded water from both TVA Watauga Dam and TVA Wilbur Dam provides additional downstream river recreational opportunities such as whitewater rafting, trout fishing, and kayaking on the Watauga River, and several Cherokee National Forest recreation areas are located along its shores.

Cardens Bluff Campground

Frost Bite Race

Sail boat enthusiasts hit Watauga Lake on New Year’s Day to take part in the Frost Bite Sail Boat Race, which takes it name from the frigid conditions that can sometimes be expected on the lake at that time of year.

Boasting 40 sites, Cardens Bluff Campground looks out over Watauga Lake. Opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating in the pristine waters of the Watauga Lake are located nearby. Access to the campground is located right off of Highway 321 in Carter County.

Jones Falls

Jones Falls is on a small tributary of the Elk River and during the winter months is a sight no less impressive than Elk River Falls. It is located just inside the Carter County line between Roan Mountain and Elk Park, N.C.

The falls are located about 1.7 miles from the Elk River Falls parking area.

The waterfall drops 100 feet down the rocks in many different directions.

A good portion of the hike to the falls is through the woods on the old forest road with not much scene. Once you reach the river, it is a beautiful area which takes you through a grassy meadow and along the river. The path to the falls will take hikers a short distance on the Appalachian Trail before reaching Jones Falls.

It can be a great hike if you combine it with a hike to Elk Falls.

The Blue Hole

The Blue Hole is a series of four waterfalls located on Holston Mountain in the Stoney Creek community of Carter County.

The falls’ name, Blue Hole, comes from the deep blue pool in front of the third waterfall, which is the main fall in the series.

Nestled in the crags of Holston Mountain, the Blue Hole Falls are an outdoorsman’s treasure.

The falls also feature a swimming hole, popular with local residents in the summer.

The Blue Hole is located at the base of Holston Mountain near Stoney Creek. It’s reached by turning on to Panhandle Road off Hwy 91. Shortly after the pavement turns into a gravel Forest Service road, there is a small parking area on the left. Walk down the hill and you can’t miss it. This is a popular local gathering spot in the summer and best visited at off peak times. For an adventurous drive, the gravel road will take you to the top of Holston Mountain which reaches 4,285 feet.

Dennis Cove

Located in Hampton, the Dennis Cove Recreation area is a campground and picnic area nestled beside Laurel Fork Creek. The secluded campground is ideal for camping during the summer months due its altitude and forest surroundings. With 15 campsites, Dennis Cove is a great option for a group to reserve the whole campground for retreats and other events. Along with camping, Laurel Fork Creek is stocked with rainbow trout below the campground.

The main falls at The Blue Hole

Watauga Dam Campground

Located in Carter County, the Watauga Dam Campground is located on the Watauga River far from heavy vehicle traffic. The campground has 29 RV sites, some located right on the river making it perfect for fishing trips.

Watershed Bike Trails

Ranging from easy to difficult, the Watershed Bike Trails in Hampton are perfect for riders of any skill level. The bottom loops are ideal for novice and intermediate riders, while more seasoned riders can hit the challenging upper loop known as The Cat’s Pajamas. The trails cut through forests that open to beautiful river and mountain views.

Coon Den Falls

Located in the Dennis Cove area of the Cherokee National Forest, a steep and rocky trail follows Coon Den Branch for nearly 1.5 miles to the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. The 15-foot cascading falls lie halfway up the trail and are best viewed after the leaves begin to fall.

To reach the falls, at Hampton turn left onto Dennis Cove Road for approximately 4.2 miles passing the Dennis Cove Appalachian Trailhead on the left. Continue on Dennis Cove Road for .3 miles to trailhead on right.

It is a relatively short trail (1/2 mile) and is moderately difficult. The trail is .6 miles past the trailhead/parking area for Laurel Falls.

Ripshin Lake

A much smaller nearby lake that is not part of the TVA system is located 6 mi (9.7 km) SW of Roan Mountain. Although this is not the place for a family outing or a picnic, it is a wonderful place to drive through and admire the scenery. This peaceful but restricted area is almost completely privately owned land and is patrolled periodically by local owners. However, a main road passes within just a few feet of the lake and especially in the fall of the year, lends itself to some incredible photo opportunities. The road parallels “Roaring Creek” which is a beautiful mountain stream that winds down the mountain with one small waterfall after another. The creek cannot be seen in the summer due to the foliage but when the leaves fall, the views are spectacular.

Laurel Falls

Most people who frequent Dennis Cove are there to hike to Laurel Falls or to go to the Dennis Cove Campground. It is one of the most visited areas in the Cherokee National Forest. Located in the designated Pond Mountain Wilderness, Laurel Falls is popular with hikers because of its immense size — 40 feet wide and 50 feet high. The falls are also located in a very picturesque setting.

The hike to the falls can be challenging, but very refreshing on a summer afternoon.

There are two preferred routes for reaching the falls: either by way of the nearly 5.5 mile Hampton Blueline/ Laurel Falls Trail (#501) combined with a hike along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (#1), or the more moderate route along the Appalachian Trail from Dennis Cove (approximately 2.6 miles roundtrip.)

The hike to the falls is rated moderate and the trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and camping and is best used from May until December.

Twisting Falls

Twisting Falls is located in the Elk Mills area near the border of Carter County with North Carolina. It is a popular place to visit in the summer. It is estimated to be at least 30 feet high, but some put its height much higher.

The falls are also known as Compression Falls or Twisted Falls.

The trail to and from the falls is primarily used for hiking and is best used from May to October. It is one of the more remote trails in the county and is hard to find. It has a very challenging descent to river.

The falls can be reached by turning right onto Poga Road, just before US 321crosses Elk River. After a right turn on Clawson Road, the falls can be reached by turning right on Dark Ridge Road, which ends in a dirt road and a parking lot to the falls.

For those who love rugged hiking and climbing over rocks, the hike to Twisting Falls will prove challenging, but also picturesque.