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Roan Mountain State Park: A gem of the Appalachian Mountains
By Jennifer Lassiter The visitors center sits on the bank of the twisting Doe River, which gives visitors a chance to relax and enjoy the majestic views of the area. In June 2004, the new museum exhibit within the visitors center was completed. "We are really proud of it," said Park Manager Glenn Hatfield. The exhibit tells the story of Roan Mountain from the beginning to now, as well as providing interactive learning displays for kids and adults. The old mill house has a display of an old moonshine still and farm implements. Hatfield hopes one day to turn the exhibit into a giftshop. The current giftshop contains timeless pieces of memorabilia that visitors can take home to remember their time at Roan Mountain State Park. The park plans to add new restrooms to all three of their park shelters. The picnic area shelters are reserved for families and reunions in the summertime. The new bathrooms will make it easier on visitors who have been using the pool bathroom in the past, said Hatfield. Camping Roan Mountain State Park has a tremendous camping business during the summer months, said Hatfield. "Campers literally wait in line for sites to become available," he said. The park has two campgrounds. The first is located just west of the camper check-in station, and has a total of 50 sites with water and electrical hookups and 20 designated tent sites with community water, and bathhouses with hot showers, lavatories and commodes. The second campground, set within the mountain laurel and rhododendron, has 20 sites with an additional 37 sites in an adjacent overflow area. The park is in the process of taking out mulch and adding small brown gravel to the area. Cabins and Rates The park also plans to add four new large pieces of playground equipment to compliment and accommodate the 30 rental cabins located on the grounds. Cabins number 1-20 have one private bedroom with a queen size bed and open loft with a set of twin beds. The combination dining/living room is furnished with dining table for six, a regular couch, two chairs and one sleeper chair which can be folded out into a single sleeper. Each cabin has one bathroom and fully equipped kitchen. Cabins one and two are handicap accessible. Cabins 21-28 have one private bedroom with a double bed, open loft with two double beds, fully equipped kitchen, combination dining and living area, one full bathroom and half bath. Cabins 29 and 30 are handicap accessible. Each cabin is completely furnished with all linens and cooking utensils. All of the cabins have a woodburning stove, with wood provided during season and outdoor charcoal grill and rocking chairs on the front porch. In Season: March 16-Nov. 15 Daily weekday rate: $94.83 per night (tax included) Friday and Saturday: $113.11 per night (tax included) Weekly: (Check in Monday 3 p.m. Check out Sunday 1 p.m.): $565.53 (tax included) Off Season: Nov. 16-March 15 Daily weekday rate: $74.26 (tax included) Friday and Saturday: $91.40 (tax included) Weekly (6 nights): $457 (tax included) The Conference Center The Roan Mountain State Park Conference Center has meeting facilities available for rent year-round. The center has a large meeting room which is approximately 2340 square feet. The room can be divided into two smaller rooms by a pull out wall in the center of the room. The room has wall to wall carpet and a large rock fireplace. A catering kitchen is available with an icemaker, full size refrigerator, sink, microwave and warming/holding cabinet. Tables and chairs can be set up according to a group's specifications. Each room has a wall mounted pull down projection screen. The Miller Homestead To get a feel of what it was like to live on the Roan a hundred years ago, Roan Mountain State Park offers a unique tour of the Dave Miller Homestead on Strawberry Mountain. In 1904, Dave Miller and his son, Nathaniel, purchased the ground they lived on from General Wilder. In 1919 a second log house was built where Dave and Louise lived out their days, while Nathaniel, his wife and five children made their home in the white frame house. John Frank Miller served as the Roan Mountain State Park's on site interpreter from 1983 to 1995. Today, his daughter, Jackie Grindstaff, serves as the interpreter of the homestead. The Dave Miller Homestead is open Memorial Day to Labor Day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. For more information and reservations contact Roan Mountain State Park, 1015 Highway 143, Roan Mountain, TN 37687. Visitor Center (423) 772-3303 or Park Headquarters (423) 772-0190.
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