Tail of the dragon - where to stay

[Bob Denman]

Taking notes...
This is a "Must-experience" area. :thumbup:

 

[SNOOPY]

Taking notes...
This is a "Must-experience" area. :thumbup:

Definitely Bob, beautiful area, twisty roads....

 

[Highwayman2013]

Nice area to ride and much to do. Nice train ride out of Bryson City, Cherokee has a casino, Great Smokey Mountains National Park....

 

[rhansen309]

Thanks

Hi all,
Thanks for all of the information. Now just to decide when to go.

 

[Raknid]

Fontana Resort

+1 on Fontana Resort. Great location and accommodations. Remote but restaurant and bar onsite. Have lodge rooms or separate cabins.

 

[lookerjdc]

thanks everyone for all the tips

my brother and I are heading over to the Dragon after Spyderfest and will be staying over there a couple of days

this gives us some good options for places to stay

 

[Busarider]

Do yourself a favor and plan your trip so you can ride The Dragon on a weekday. Weekends are aweful. More like being in a parade than riding...... I mean unless you like that sort of thing....

 

[Raknid]

Do yourself a favor and plan your trip so you can ride The Dragon on a weekday. Weekends are aweful. More like being in a parade than riding...... I mean unless you like that sort of thing....

That is great advice. Weekday and go early.

 

[rhansen309]

Do yourself a favor and plan your trip so you can ride The Dragon on a weekday. Weekends are aweful. More like being in a parade than riding...... I mean unless you like that sort of thing....

We plan on going during the week as well.

 

[Daisyjoe]

When I go up to the Smokies, I always stay in Townsend, TN. Very nice, small town. Short ride to the Foothills Parkway (beautiful scenery with sweeping curves), The Dragon Tail, Cherohala Skyway, Moonshiners 28. Close to Pigeon Forge without that TRAFFIC that goes with some of the more commercialized towns. I have stayed in Townsend many times at a family owned motel, Highland Manor Inn. Rates run around $89/night. Nice, clean motel. I think I went up 4 times last year. Hope you enjoy your trip.

Yeah, ride the Dragon during the week!

 

[MidTNDawg]

I prefer Robbinsville, NC

Close to the Cherohala and the Dragon.

 

[dndfindley]

Do yourself a favor and plan your trip so you can ride The Dragon on a weekday. Weekends are aweful. More like being in a parade than riding...... I mean unless you like that sort of thing....

Well yes and no. Yes - weekdays are much less crowded. However it depends on what you're going there for in the first place. On the Dragon you do NOT sightsee. There is one pull off with a view but that is all. There are many other pull offs but they are in the trees and are there for car's and bikes to get out of the way of faster traffic. On the Dragon you keep your eyes on the road - do NOT look at the scenery. I am very serious about this. The road will lure you in and make you think it is just like other mountain roads you have ridden. It is not. The deception leads to a lot of accidents and several fatalities each year. Most accidents involve inexperienced riders or first time on the Dragon riders. Now back to the time to ride it. If you want to mingle with a lot of other bikers then go on the weekend. At Deal's Gap you will have just about every type motorcyclist there is and they are constantly coming and going. You can have a seat on the front porch or under a shade tree and just take it all in. Sometimes there are so many bikes that the parking lot is restricted to motorcycles only - no cars allowed. Deal's Gap has gas, a store, restrooms, restaurant and a small motel. So if you don't like riding slowly behind other vehicles then go on a weekday. But if you like to rub elbows with riders from all over the United States and a few from other countries - come on a weekend.

 

[pwm]

Although I live in the area, I always stay in the Townsend, TN area. Close to everything but far enough away to be peaceful.