Tail Of The Dragon

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If all works out I will be traveling by myself to New Orleans then The Florida Keys late June early July from Nova Scotia. I will be at the northern part of Tail Of The Dragon on June 28th. Are there any motel handy the northern part the tail. My total km will be 10000 or just over 6200 miles. Last year me and a friend went to California which was 18000km over 11000 miles.


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There is a motel right at the dragon. Lots of choices to the north once you get near Knoxville.
 
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Phillips is great and I've stayed there numerous times. Although is not North of the Dragon as you requested. The Iron Horse is another great option in the area (also south of the Dragon).
 

schlep1967

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While the Dragon is fun for a few minutes you might want to tie in a trip across the Cherohala Skyway. And Hunt's Lodge Motorcycle campground (and cabins) is at the other end of it.
 

Uncle Phil

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I've got a neat route that you could do the Dragon and then loop around and come back the Skyway if you have time.

Robbinsville>129>72>411>360>Skyway>129>Robbinsville.

It's about 125 miles 4-5 hours or less depending on how often you want to stop for photo ops.
 
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You can stay in Maryville, TN which is NW. There are lots of chain motels there. Too far away from the good riding IMHO.

Punkin Center is rustic, with cabins and a bar, about 7-8 miles from the north end of the Dragon. I have stayed there. Quiet and rustic.

The Deals Gap store has a motel attached, but it fills up early. I have stayed there several times, pretty Spartan, lots of racket.
There are several motels/campgrounds in Robbinsville, NC, 18 miles south of the Dragon Store, which is close to all of the good riding.

The best places I have stayed in that area are:

The Ironhorse Campground in Stecoah, NC, on Hwy 28 . You have a choice of separate rooms, bunkhouse, or camping. Very nice place.

My absolute favorite is the San-Ran Motel in Robbinsville, NC (828)479-3256. I stay at this place all the time. This is a mom and pop operation that caters to motorcycles in a big way. Nothing fancy, but clean, cool, comfortable rooms and a reasonable price. There is plenty of parking for vehicles pulling trailers, and you can park your bike right under the awning next to your room. They even furnish rags to clean your MC with. They have Wifi. All rooms are ground level. Easy walking distance to food. As Uncle Phil says, Lynn's Place is the place to eat.
 
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tjhiggin

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While the Dragon is fun for a few minutes you might want to tie in a trip across the Cherohala Skyway. And Hunt's Lodge Motorcycle campground (and cabins) is at the other end of it.
+1 for Hunt's Lodge. You won't find better folks.
 

MattInDenver

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Cherohala is much better. Less of a parking lot. The Rum runner is fun as well.
 
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+2 on Hunt's lodge.
I'll be up there next month, but, I'm roughing it(kinda) no cabin for me. I'll have an enclosed trailer with me, I'm just gonna throw an inflatable mattress in it, along with a small electric heater in case it gets cool, and camp in it. Incidentally, this is the same trailer I plan on purchasing and turning into a stealth camper. It needs some work, but the bones are solid. Unfortunately, the company I work for that owns the trailer, has just changed ownership, so my deal with the old owner may have gone out the window, which sucks, because over the past year I've been accumulating stuff for the conversion(heat/ac unit, mini fridge, generator, steel for bed frames, insulation etc. Guess I'll see what transpires.
 
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Tdinova
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Thanks for all of the replies. Google maps is a great tool to zoom in. Early June I will book my room
 
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Tdinova
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Well it finally happened. My coworker and I left Sep3 for North Carolina and Tennessee. We stayed on Maggie Valley and rode from there. We done lots of mountain driving an The Tail Of The Dragon. Loved it20190906_104500.jpg20190905_135754.jpg
 
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Tdinova
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We went there also along with Fontana dam and other places Pegeon Forge. Driving and taking pictures is not good. I'm going to buy a helmet cam before I die.
 
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