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The balds themselves lie between 5,400 feet and 6,100 feet, cover several hundred acres, and are vegetated by sedges, grasses, and wildflowers, many of which are globally rare or endemic species. The margins of the balds are covered with heath shrubs including flame azaleas and catawba rhododendron. The rhododendron gardens atop the 6,327-foot peak of the massive Roan, cover an area of 600 acres in three natural masses. The display of blooming catawba rhododendron in this area is the best and most extensive in the world.
The Highlands of Roan are also world-renowned for their biotic diversity and the entire area is recognized in a large State Natural Heritage area. There are over 300 species of plants found here. More nationally or regionally ranked plant species are found on Roan Mountain than on any other site in the Southern Appalachians mountains. Fifty-four species of plants found on the Highlands are recognized as rare.
Rare animal species including New England Cottontail, Southern Appalachian saw-whet owl, alder flycatcher, hermit thrush, least weasel, and Carolina northern flying squirrel are found in this area. Many of the plants and animals are disjunct species, typically found hundreds of miles further up the Appalachian chain. This highlights the important role Roan Mountain has played as a refuge for plants and animals.
The forests around the bald are also unique. Northern hardwood communities reach possibly their best expression of any in the Southern Appalachians in the forests on the slopes of Roan Mountain. Old-growth stands occur on the mountain; one yellow birch is 385 years old. Forests around the edge of the bald contain dwarfed beeches 250 years old and only 12 inches in diameter. The slopes around the balds are recognized in USFS Large Old Growth Patch 22.
The Appalachian Trail climbs over the steep and beautiful mountains of this wildland for over 14 miles. Scenic NC Route 261 (TN Route 143) crosses the area at Carver's Gap, where the AT also crosses the area. A forest service road takes visitors to the nearby rhododendron gardens.
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