Whether you’re visiting Roan Mountain to see the rhododendrons, or you’re in the area for another reason, there are quite a few things to see and do near Elizabethton, TN. Including waterfall hikes, nature walks, a covered bridge, and more. I’ve organized the list by proximity to the town center of Elizabethton (according to Google Maps) to make it easier to plan your schedule. All of them are within thirty-ish minutes.

(I have entire blog posts dedicated to a few of these places. If you’re interested, I’ve put the links with each.)

1) The Historic Elizabethton Covered Bridge – 717 E Elk Ave., Elizabethton, TN 37643

The historic covered bridge in Elizabethton, TN. It spans 134 feet across the Doe River, from grassy bank to grassy bank. It is painted white with a brown-ish colored roof. The river is flowing over rocks and there is a small waterfall.
The inside of the historic bridge in Elizabethton, TN.
The historic covered bridge in Elizabethton, TN. It spans 134 feet across the Doe River, from grassy bank to grassy bank. It is painted white with a brown-ish colored roof.

This pedestrian bridge was built in 1882 and spans 134 feet across the Doe River. It is surrounded by a park, a walking path, and the town of Elizabethton. It’s within walking distance of many of the downtown shops (depending on how far you want to walk), but there are also parking areas nearby as well.  

2) Sycamore Shoals State Park – 1651 W Elk Ave., Elizabethton, TN 37643

Looking out over a river from under the shade of trees. You can see through the water to the rocks and branches that are below. Trees and blue sky in the background.
Sign for Sycamore Shoals State Park in Elizabethton, TN, made out of stone and wood. Grass all around the sign and trees in the background.
A river with some large rocks on the right, trees all around it, and a large white fluffy cloud in a blue sky. Taken at Sycamore Shoals State Park in Elizabethton, TN.

This park is right next to a hospital, and right in town, but it doesn’t feel that way once you start walking along the Watauga River. There’s a one-mile loop that you can walk known as Patriot’s Path. It leads you along the river, past a butterfly and flower garden, and then back around to the beginning. It’s a nice way to get a little dose of nature without having to leave the city.

3) Laurel Falls in Hampton, TN

A river flowing through the forest. With trees and bushes lining both sides.
A dirt path with some large rocks in it, leading into the forest. Trees all around, and a rock wall in the back ground. On the left, a tree with a wooden sign on it that reads "Laurel Falls".

There are different places to start on this waterfall hike. We started at the Dennis Cove Trailhead (on Dennis Cove Road in Hampton, TN). From what I can tell, this is the shortest route to the waterfall. To get to the small dirt parking lot, turn onto Dennis Cove Road from Highway 321. Go almost 4 miles, around a swirly, curvy road, and the parking lot will be on the left.

(A tip: This area is part of the Cherokee National Forest, and is down in a valley, so I would recommend downloading the map ahead of time because you’ll likely lose GPS signal along the way.)

4) Wilbur Dam – 654 Wilbur Dam Rd., Elizabethton, TN 37643

The day we found Wilbur Dam, we actually set out to go to Watauga Dam (which is close by too), but the area was closed. On our way back out, we spotted Wilbur Dam and decided to explore, and I’m glad we did.  

5) Blue Hole Falls  

Rock steps leading up into the forest. Trees all around.
A waterfall surrounded by large rocks and rhododendron bushes. The waterfall flows into a shallow pool filled with rocks.
Water flowing around and over brown colored rocks. Trees in the background, with blue sky showing through.

Putting “Blue Hole Falls Trailhead Elizabethton, TN” in your GPS will get you there. From TN-91 you’ll turn onto National Forest 202/Panhandle Rd., go up the hill about .9 miles and the small dirt parking lot will be on your left.

If you’re short on time, and want to go straight to the falls, go left from the parking lot and down the hill. But I would highly recommend allowing a little bit of extra time (if you can) and going right from the parking lot and UP the hill. Going up first, instead of down, will allow you to see the first two or three cascades that flow down into the main waterfall.

6) Roan Mountain State Park – 527 TN-143, Roan Mountain, TN 37687 (this takes you to the Visitor’s Center)

A gravel pathway leading through evergreen trees and rhododendron bushes with purple blooms on them.

Whether you go to see the rhododendrons when they’re blooming in June, to hike at Carver’s Gap, or to drive across the mountain and see the beautiful views, Roan Mountain is a great place to spend some time.

The rhododendrons bloom around mid-June. The specific dates depend on Mother Nature, of course.

A gravel path leading through rhododendron bushes with purple flowers, evergreen trees, and looking out over a tree covered mountain. A blue sky in the background, with a gray-ish white cloud and the sun peeking through.
A few rhododendron blossoms with several pinky purple flowers on each one and green leaves.

If you drive up the mountain to Carver’s Gap, which is right on the TN/NC border, you can go see the Rhododendron Gardens on one side and hike to Round Bald on the other side.

Even if you aren’t there during prime rhododendron season, don’t let that keep you from stopping by the gardens. There is a small fee to get in, but it’s worth it to walk through the forest of trees that somehow feel like they belong in the Pacific Northwest instead of in TN/NC.

A magical looking forest with moss covered trees, ferns covering the grounds below, and blue sky peeking through.

If you hike up to Round Bald, you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous views of Tennessee on one side and North Carolina on the other. (You can also continue the hike over the mountain and beyond, but I’ve never done it.)

A view looking out into TN, the mountains, and blue sky with a few white clouds.
A view from the top of a mountain, looking out towards mountain ranges in NC, with blue sky and some white clouds.
A view looking out at far off mountains, a few white clouds in the blue sky, evergreen trees, and lots of green rhododendron bushes with a few purple flowers on them.