This Tennessee State Park's Stunning Views Rival Great Smoky Mountains National Park

While you can enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains during a serene outdoor retreat in North Carolina's picturesque Lake Junaluska or from this peaceful Tennessee gateway town, travelers don't actually have to enter the national park to enjoy stunning views. Instead, sightseers can opt to explore the lesser-visited Roan Mountain State Park, an incredible landmark that rises to 6,285 feet.

Find this gorgeous state park in a Tennessee community of the same name. In Roan Mountain, outdoor adventures take center stage, with lush gardens and an annual Rhododendron Festival giving visitors plenty to do before they even step foot in the park. Once the site of international botanical intrigue, this Appalachian destination encompasses an area of just 6.6 square miles. While just half the size of its eponymous village, Roan Mountain State Park is packed with sprawling forests of hardwood trees, cozy cabins and campsites, miles of hiking trails, seasonal spaces for cross-country skiing, and more. Open year-round and perfect for everything from fishing to mountain biking and touring historic farmsteads, this region offers a little something for every traveler who can appreciate nature's majesty.

How you reach this point of interest depends on what kind of visit you want to have. Positioned about two-thirds of the way between North Carolina's Asheville Regional Airport and Tennessee's Tri-Cities Airport, Roan Mountain State Park could easily fit into a road trip through the best North Carolina mountain towns or be accessed from Watauga Lake (one of the top places to kayak in Tennessee). However, no matter where you're coming from, you'll want a car to navigate this rural area, as public transportation options are limited. If you end up renting a car to make this journey, make sure to avoid these rental car mistakes.

Among Roan Mountain State Park's many things to do, one of the best is hiking. Past visitors rave about the park's trails and a quick look at local routes will show you why. Home to about 12 miles of day-use trails, Roan Mountain leads hikers along gentle ridges, through thick forests, and past radiant riverside rambles. Start on the short, easy Tom Gray Loop Trail for a stroll along the Doe River. Alternatively, experienced hikers can begin with the Peg Leg Mine Loop Trail. Just over a mile long and covering less than 200 feet of elevation gain, this pathway takes you from the Gristmill Visitor Center, through lush patches of Eastern hemlock trees, and toward a defunct iron mine from the 1800s. When you're ready for a challenge, head to Raven Rock Trail. Though under 2 miles roundtrip, this steep trek covers tough terrain and around 500 feet of elevation gain. The reward for conquering this route? Sky-high views of forested hills, plus a chance to scope out some seasonal wildflowers and local wildlife.

In addition to hiking, Roan Mountain State Park is an excellent spot for biking and fishing. Mountain bikers can cruise on 3 miles of designated biking paths, which include the Blue 2 and Moonshiners Run bike trails. Meanwhile, anglers equipped with their gear, a Tennessee fishing license, and a trout stamp can cast into the Doe or Watauga rivers to catch catfish, walleye, rainbow trout, and bass.

Looking to learn more about this Appalachian landscape? Between June and September, Miller Farmstead House tours led by park staff welcome visitors on a 45-minute walk through a home that once belonged to a family of subsistence farmers.

If one day at Roan Mountain State Park isn't enough for you, stay overnight at a local campsite or in a park cabin. Well loved by camping aficionados, the campgrounds here invite travelers to settle amongst the trees for a relaxing night's rest. Unfortunately, the Upper Campground remains shuttered following major damage from Hurricane Helene, but campers can still find sites in the Lower Campground. Snag a prime spot by the Doe River, but watch out for crowds during fall foliage season and on busy weekends. Regardless of when you visit, expect amenities such as fire rings, restrooms, picnic tables, tent pads, grills, a dump station, RV hookups, and Wi-Fi. The only seasonal amenities are bathhouses one through five, which close between November and mid-April. During this time, one bathhouse near the Lower Campground remains open.

For more comfort, Roan Mountain State Park offers 30 cabin rentals located off Tennessee Highway 143. Ten of these properties are pet-friendly, and two are ADA-compliant — though people with mobility concerns may want to call the park before booking to ensure they'll be able to navigate certain spaces. The cabins come with Wi-Fi and improve upon the camping experience with wood-burning stoves, air conditioning, heating, kitchens, beds, full bathrooms, and more. Cabin kitchens come stocked with some utensils, plates, and other essentials like a microwave, coffee maker, and toaster. Televisions are not provided, but with acres of natural beauty, plus a playground and tennis court at your disposal, you may find yourself more than happy to go without a big screen for a bit.

For even more adventure, hikers can take advantage of the park's nearby access to the Appalachian Trail. Just remember to consult this first-timer's trail guide before the trek.