Upcoming events

Plan ahead with fun happenings across Carter County

*** All 2021 special events may be affected by Covid-19 related changes to program schedules, along with visitor safety considerations. Please contact the park for updated information *** Saturday, April 10

Roan Mountain Bird Nerd Club - 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Meet at Park Headquarters -

Price: •$0.00 / Person •$5.00 / Attendee + Donation •$10.00 / Attendee + Donation •$15.00 / Attendee + Donation •$25.00 / Attendee + Donation •Do you have an interest in birding, working with birds of prey, or being involved in an outdoor group with a common interest in nature? •Join us for an informational meeting for the Roan Mountain Bird Nerd Club. This group will train members on the basics of birding, leading birding hikes, and volunteer experience with working with birds of prey at our owl aviary. •Membership and participation is free, but registration is required (for now) to ensure we don’t exceed group size limitations. Come on out and get involved! CDC recommedations apply, including, social distancing, and mask-wearing. Saturday, April 10

Carter Mansion Celebration - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Meet at: Historic John and Landon Carter Mansion 1031 Broad St. Elizabethton, TN 37643

Join us as we celebrate the oldest frame house in Tennessee, and the historically prominent Carter family. Travel back to the 1780’s and tour the Carter Mansion. Witness living history reenactors demonstrating aspects of 18th century life, and see local craftsmen showcasing traditional skills.

Free Admission Saturday, April 17

Annual Plant Auction - 9 a.m. - 12 noon - Meet at: Park Visitor Center. An exciting array of unusual ornamental & native perennials, trees and shrubs will be auctioned during this event. A great opportunity to add new species to your landscape! Sponsored by The UT Extension Service, E. Tenn. Nursery Assoc., and the Eliz/Carter Co. Chamber of Commerce.

Free Admission

Friday, April 23 - Sunday, April 25

Spring Rock Climbing Workshop - 7 p.m. - Meet at: Cumberland Mountain State Park Recreation Lodge. Price is $60.00 - Register for the event. ***NOTE*** THIS PROGRAM IS BASED OUT OF CUMBERLAND MOUNTAIN STATE PARK, CROSSVILLE, TN. ALL TIMES ARE CENTRAL TIME.

Event Description: - Friday we will start with a meet and greet at the Rec Lodge around 7:00 pm CST. We will cover outdoor climbing basics, including knot tying and belay technique. - Saturday we will meet at the Rec Lodge parking lot at 8:30 am CST to carpool to the Black Mountain climbing area. Once we get to Black Mountain, there is a short hike to the climbing location from the trailhead (1/2 mile). A number of top rope climbs and a 40 ft. rappel will be set up for the day. Climbs range in difficulty from beginner to intermediate/advanced.- Sunday morning we will meet back at the Rec Lodge parking lot at 8:30 am CST to carpool to the Black Mountain for another day of climbing. The day ends around 3:00 pm CST, but you are free to leave earlier as needed (please let one of the staff know if you plan to leave early). **The Black Mountain Climbing area does not have restroom facilities, please be prepared for each day. We will be practicing Leave No Trace.

Age restrictions:18 Years of Age and Older

Price: $60 - instruction and gear for the weekend

Accommodations for Cumberland Mountain State Park:

Camping/Cabin reservations - make them online at https://tnstateparks.com/ parks/cumberland-mountain

Please make your camping/cabin reservations ahead of time.

Food will not be provided during the course of this workshop. Pack your breakfast, lunch, and snacks for each day. For dinner, we encourage you to bring your own or plan to eat at the Homestead Harvest Restaurant on the park.

Cancellation Deadline/Refund Policy:

Participants may cancel no later than Thursday, April 15, 5:00 PM with a 50% refund. After April 15th, 5:00 PM there will be no refunds for participant cancellation.

Weather Cancellation Policy: There is no alternate date. In the event of a weather related cancellation 4/23/21 or prior we will offer a full refund. In the event of a weather related cancellation 4/23/21 or later, we will consider refunds on a case-by-case basis. Saturday, May 1

Guided Spring Hike at Hampton Creek Cove S.N.A. - 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Meet at Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area Parking Lot - Register for the event.

Price: •$3.00 / Donation •$5.00 / Donation •$10.00 / Donation •$20.00 / Donation

Hike Leaders: Monica Johnson, Park Manager Roan Mountain State

Robin Peeler, TSP East TN Area Manager

Celebrate Tennessee Natural Areas’ 50th anniversary with us on a Spring Hike along the Birchfield Trail. The hike will be an easy to moderate 3-miles round trip. We will stop for lunch half way. Bring a sack lunch, snacks and water to drink. Don’t forget your CAMERA!

The Birchfield Trail follows the Left Prong through pasture and forest. The trail traverses a northern hardwood forest community on mid and upper slopes where yellow birch, striped maple, northern red oak, and tulip popular are dominant species. Wear sturdy shoes and layered clothing as the temps tend to be chilly this time of year in the mountains.

The hike is FREE, but registration is required for this event. Donations are accepted for this event.

Directions for Hampton Creek Cove: 760 Hampton Creek Rd, Roan Mountain, TN 37687

From Elizabethton, Tennessee, take U.S. Highway 321/19E through Hampton, Tennessee and then continue on 19E to the Town of Roan Mountain. From the Town of Roan Mountain, take State Route 143 south toward Roan Mountain State Park. You will immediately cross a bridge over the Doe River. Just after that bridge, turn left onto Stratton Street. At the first stop sign, turn right, then bear left at the big curve on West Street and travel by the old commercial district buildings of Roan Mountain. Just past these old buildings, take the first right on Old Highway 143, then take the first left turn onto the bridge that crosses the creek (across from the old school building), and follow it to Hampton Creek Cove. The parking area is on the left not far past Gray’s Chapel Church, approximately three miles from the Town of Roan Mountain. Hampton Creek Cove (tn.gov)

Saturday, May 8

Bird Walk - 8 a.m. - ? - Meet at: Visitor Center Parking Area. Meet other birders and naturalists at Sycamore Shoals for a morning of birding during the migratory season. Saturday, May 15 27th Annual Siege of Fort Watauga - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - It is 1776 and the frontier is ablaze with war. Join us as 200 Colonial and Native reenactors present this dramatic retelling of the Cherokee attack brought on the settlers of the Watauga valley. Visit the living history camps, shop with period vendors, and witness battle re-enactments both days. Hear the rattle of muskets, smell the campfire smoke and see history come to life at the Siege of Fort Watauga. Contact the park for a detailed schedule.

Free Admission Sunday, May 16 27th Annual Siege of Fort Watauga - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - It is 1776 and the frontier is ablaze with war. Join us as 200 Colonial and Native reenactors present this dramatic retelling of the Cherokee attack brought on the settlers of the Watauga valley. Visit the living history camps, shop with period vendors, and witness battle re-enactments both days. Hear the rattle of muskets, smell the campfire smoke and see history come to life at the Siege of Fort Watauga. Contact the park for a detailed schedule.

Free Admission Friday, June 4

Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals - 7:30 p.m. - Meet at: Fort Watauga Amphitheater. - Register for the event.

Performances begin at 7:30 PM, Friday & Saturday, June 4-5 & 11-12, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday, June 17-19 & 24-26

Tennessee’s official outdoor drama is presented by local performers against the backdrop of Fort Watauga. See the Revolution as told by the Overmountain Men. These settlers formed an independent government, made treaties with the Cherokee, defended their homes, and fought a British army at the epic battle of King’s Mountain. Bleacher seating is available in the Amphitheater. Doors open at 6:00 PM. The concession stand opens at 6:30 PM.

For ticket pricing, purchasing, and discount information please visit www. thelibertydrama.com

Sunday, June 6 - June 27

Summer Art Show - Visitor Center Operating Hours. Meet at: Park Visitor Center.

Meet-the-Artist Awards Reception: Sunday, June 6: 1:30 - 4:00 pmThis multimedia exhibit is two art shows in one: “18th Annual Judged show” and the “26th Annual Watauga Valley Art League Member show”. Please join us for this popular summer event!