Tail of the dragon - where to stay

[rhansen309]

We are looking at doing the tail of the dragon this summer. We looked at the tail of the dragon website and there are a host of places to stay. We are looking for recommendations on places to stay. Not really looking for a chain hotel, but clean and safe. Will probably be trailering our spyder there so need a place that can accommodate a truck and trailer. Thanks.

[cjackg]

Anywhere around Vonore Tn or Robbinsville NC will put you close to the action....

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[NetJunkie]

Wondering this myself as I plan to do the same this summer.

[Highwayman2013]

We were down there 3 years ago. We stayed at the Robbinsville Microtel, it was clean and had plenty of parking. The owner is a rider so they have bike parking right near the door. Good size parking lot and close to Cherohala Skyway and about 20 minutes to the Dragon.

[Mike on a Trike]

If you want to be in a town with motels and restaurants, Maryville, TN is relatively close Knoxville isn't much further. High speed run down Foothills Parkway places you right at the west end of the Dragon. Another option is camping in the Smoky Mountain National Park that the Dragon runs along the south edge of, if you feel like communing with nature.

The Dragon has a fair amount of traffic, much of which is leisure. Best bet is to let traffic get a good head start so that you can run at your own pace. Single yellow line with crazy turns and no shoulder for much of the run. It is paramount you ride such that you can stay in your lane of traffic. Local law enforcement will let you run faster than posted speeds as long as you are in control. You will encounter semis and trucks pulling trailers from time to time....slow down and give them the room that they need. Driven appropriately, most fun you can have on asphalt. Driven improperly, well, you will see the little monuments here and there along the road.

[daveinva]

Free advice if you've never considered it-- I've had GREAT luck renting on VRBO: http://www.vrbo.com/. Compared to hotels and even motels, you can find nicer places for less money. At last year's Owner's Event we rented a house not three minutes from the Maggie Valley fairgrounds, beautiful view up on the hillside and comfy as anything, for less than any hotel in the area.

[Iamjoey]

Check out the Holiday motel in Maggie Valley( Biker Friendly motel). www.holidaymotel.net I think you will like Gabi & Rob. They have a place for trucks and trailers.

[dndfindley]

Check out the Holiday motel in Maggie Valley( Biker Friendly motel). www.holidaymotel.net I think you will like Gabi & Rob. They have a place for trucks and trailers.

Maggie Valley is a LONG way from the Dragon. I live about 30 minutes from the Dragon so please pardon me if I sound like a know-it-all. I ride the Dragon a few times a month, even in winter. There are motels that cater to bikers on Hwy US 129 at the intersection with Hwy 72. This is west of the Dragon on the Tennessee side. The best and closest chain motels would be in Maryville, TN but you said you didn't want that. There are some good independent motels in Townsend, TN which is a short scenic drive from the Dragon via Foothills Parkway. Since I don't stay at any of them (I'm already at home) I can't recommend a specific one, only good locations. However feel free to ask me questions about the area and/or the Dragon. The Tail of the Dragon website is a good source of information.

[pjweimer]

A group of eight friends were on the Dragon last June for three days. Ron Dearing and his wife are wonderful hosts and fellow riders. This is a quaint 10 room roadside motel with an open air BBQ next door. Rates are extremely reasonable and their food offerings were just what our group was looking for. This was a group of pure road lovers. This area provided three terrific days of great riding experiences.

www.dragonpitinnandbbq.com

[daveinva]

Maggie Valley is a LONG way from the Dragon. I live about 30 minutes from the Dragon so please pardon me if I sound like a know-it-all.

Vacation Rentals By Owner, a.k.a. HomeAway-- you can get a rental anywhere someone is renting their vacation home/cabin/condo etc. I just happened to use it for Maggie Valley last year; I've also used it for Manhattan Beach, CA, NYC, and Spruce Knob, WV, among other places. I'm sure there are places listed closer to the Dragon.

[Macca]

I have stayed at the Two Wheel Inn in Robinsville.
It was clean, each room has a garage but of course won't fit a Spyder. There is a roof overhang that the Spyder can be parked under. Also rags and small table and chairs for outdoor use are provided to enjoy the night air. Bike Wash on premises.
http://www.twowheelinn.com

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[Red RT-S]

Stayed at the Microtel in Robbinsville, NC last summer. Room was clean and comfortable and it is within walking distance of several restaurants. They also provide water, buckets, and towels to wash & dry your bike. Plenty of parking available. Enjoy your trip.

[Oldmanzues]

A couple years ago, Mico tel in Robinsville was a great place as as above. Grahamcountytravel.com is a great site to go to.
It is not a good idea to let your butt over ride your brain on the Dragon i.e. Tree of Shame. "Stuff" (pins, patch and so on) at the resort.
A additional nice ride, not for speed, but scenry, is the Cherohala Skyway, get gas first.
Have fun
Oldmanzues

[ace2002]

Brison City is a good place to stay you can go any direction you want and mom and pop motels good eats too about a 30 min drive to Dragon 20 min to Cherokee 30 min 35 min to Blue Ridge Parkway to Maggy Valley so much to do from this area.

[gwritesel]

Fontana Villiage is a nice place to stay,not the cheapest.you have the option of staying in the lodge or cabins.all are fully equipped.

[dndfindley]

As I am reading these posts of people who come to this area to ride the Dragon, the Cherohala Skyway and visit the Smoky Mountains, I think about how ironic it is that we take for granted the areas in which we live. I live here in the middle of all this but yet very seldom visit the Smokies, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Maggie Valley - you name it. I do ride the Dragon quite a bit but it is more for the associating with other motorcyclists at Deal's Gap than the ride since I do the ride so much. Sometimes I just have to step back and imagine I am a tourist and look at the area from that perspective. I am truly blessed to live here. As an aside we have relatives that live an hour from Walt Disney World but yet they seldom go. My family and I on the other hand have been to Walt Disney World about 40 times (we always stay at a Disney resort). We go at least once a year and sometimes 2 or 3 times. In any case East Tennessee and western North Carolina is mecca for motorcycles - come on down

[danlnc]

The Kickstand has camping cabins and camping. You will meet a great group of folks there.


http://kickstandlodge.com/

[SNOOPY]

Fontana Villiage is a nice place to stay,not the cheapest.you have the option of staying in the lodge or cabins.all are fully equipped.

We've stayed there before w no problems.

.

[SNOOPY]

As I am reading these posts of people who come to this area to ride the Dragon, the Cherohala Skyway and visit the Smoky Mountains, I think about how ironic it is that we take for granted the areas in which we live. I live here in the middle of all this but yet very seldom visit the Smokies, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Maggie Valley - you name it. I do ride the Dragon quite a bit but it is more for the associating with other motorcyclists at Deal's Gap than the ride since I do the ride so much. Sometimes I just have to step back and imagine I am a tourist and look at the area from that perspective. I am truly blessed to live here. As an aside we have relatives that live an hour from Walt Disney World but yet they seldom go. My family and I on the other hand have been to Walt Disney World about 40 times (we always stay at a Disney resort). We go at least once a year and sometimes 2 or 3 times. In any case East Tennessee and western North Carolina is mecca for motorcycles - come on down

I live at probably the cleanest beach on the east coast, but vacation on a beach in the gulf for most vacations. Lol

.

[SNOOPY]

I have stayed at the Two Wheel Inn in Robinsville.
It was clean, each room has a garage but of course won't fit a Spyder. There is a roof overhang that the Spyder can be parked under. Also rags and small table and chairs for outdoor use are provided to enjoy the night air. Bike Wash on premises.
http://www.twowheelinn.com

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If you stayed there w your Spyder, did you have to take a wheel off?

[Bob Denman]

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

[SNOOPY]

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

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]

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

[Raknid]

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