Description: Nocturnal Night Hike
Location: Rocky Fork State Park
Experience Rocky Fork after dark on a guided three-mile hike into the Appalachian wilderness. While clouds may hide the stars, the forest reveals its own secrets. We’ll listen for owl calls with the Merlin app, search for salamanders and foxfire, and use UV lights to uncover glowing lichens and fungi. Learn how the park is working toward Dark Sky certification and measure the night’s quality with our dark sky meter.
If skies clear, we’ll use a Celestron telescope for an up-close look at the cosmos. At the historic battle site, rangers will share stories of nocturnal species, frontier history, and ways you can help protect the night sky. Red-light flashlights will be provided to preserve night vision.
What to Bring: Closed-toe shoes, water, and warm clothing.
Directions:
From Johnson City or Erwin: Take I-26 South to Exit 43, follow signs to Rocky Fork State Park, then turn right on TN 352 for six miles. Turn right on Rocky Fork Road and follow for 0.8 miles to the gravel parking lot.
From Asheville or Mars Hill: Take I-26 North to Exit 50, turn left on Upper Higgins Road for 0.6 miles, then right on Old Asheville Highway for 2.2 miles. Turn left on Rocky Fork Road for 0.8 miles to the gravel parking lot.
Program Host: Cory Franklin
Contact Email: cory.franklin@tn.gov
Contact Phone: 4236720947
Meeting Place: Main Park Parking Lot