Where to stay? While at the Dragon

[Richie R]

My wife and I are planning our 2011 summer vacation. We going out to ride the Dragon and other sites while we are there. So where is a good place to stay? We are leaving from Northern WI. Any good routes to get there. We will have a gps also. Just looking for some good info to make it a little easier.

Thanks Rich

[RandyR]

Lewis aka Dragonrider may be planning another Vogel (GA) Park M&E next year with a ride to the dragon likely.

 

There's camping and cabins at Vogel and in the nearbny town of Blairsville, GA. I think the Holiday Inn Express is where most stayed who were in town. Vogel and Blairsville are on US 129 just south of the NC line.

 

Hey Lewis .....

[curtis]

My wife and I are planning our 2011 summer vacation. We going out to ride the Dragon and other sites while we are there. So where is a good place to stay? We are leaving from Northern WI. Any good routes to get there. We will have a gps also. Just looking for some good info to make it a little easier.

Thanks Rich

 

A lot depends on what you are wanting to do when not riding. Gatlinburg is close and it is up in the mountains. Tourist area so lots to do there. It is also easy ride to Dragon,Cherohala Skyway, and Blue ridge Parkway all recommended rides if you have time. Knoxville is not far away if you want a bigger city. Townsend would also make good choice another small town in the mountains. If you like to gamble on the NC side there is Cherokee they have casino. Hope this helps Curtis

[rumboogy]

Just a FYI...unless they have opened early. The Dragon was supposed to be closed until July 3rd (I think)...from a rock slide.

 

I would check before you head that way.

 

Wally

[Sylvester]

The locals don't ride the "Dragon", they prefer "Blood Mountain" and others.

 

[Motorcycle Mike]

We usualy stay at the Phillips motel

http://www.phillipsmotelonline.com/

Or the Tuskeegee motel

http://www.tuskeegeemotel.com/

Both are mom & pop motels run by very down to earth, friendly couples. Nothing fancy but clean.

[RandyR]

I PM'd Dragonrider and he said:

 

Most definitely there will be a Vogel V in August 2011, It will be the third weekend, the dates are 8/17 thru 8/21. I havent posted it as official yet, but I have always done it the third weekend of August. I think the cabins are the best, they are clean, and not all that expensive, We have stayed in the cabins every time we go to Vogel. Then there is always camping and RV.

 

Lewis

[KevinsDa1]

Dealsgap.com says that the Dragon is open 8AM to 8PM, while the cleanup on the rock slide continues.

 

Kevin:301:

[Motorcycle Mike]

Dealsgap.com says that the Dragon is open 8AM to 8PM, while the cleanup on the rock slide continues.

 

Kevin:301:

True, but not to thru traffic.

You have to turn around at the side.

[RedRider]

Great place to stay is the Iron Horse Lodge (www.ironhorsenc.com). Really nice cabins or camping area if you want.

They cater to the motorcycle crowd. Stayed there 3 or 4 times and have never been disappointed.

 

RR

[CMIKE]

WE usually go into Maryville and stay around the airport...usually a lot cheaper and not as crowded as some of the hot spots to stay in the area. There is a Family Inn...that is clean and has some good prices... It is an older hotel but folks are nice and it is clean.

[dave_wells]

I couple of us stayed there a few years back

Real good people and good food

 

Iron Horse MC

 

 

 

Great place to stay is the Iron Horse Lodge (www.ironhorsenc.com). Really nice cabins or camping area if you want.

They cater to the motorcycle crowd. Stayed there 3 or 4 times and have never been disappointed.

 

RR

[Richie R]

Thanks for the great info.

 

Richie R

[eazyduzzit]

I would check out the cabins in Townsend. It's a cool little place at the foot of the Smokies. I stay there sometimes just for a little getaway, and I live just 30 miles away.

[Kirby]

I stayed at the Two Wheel Inn in Robbinsville, NC a couple of years ago. Very nice. You have your own private bike garage. Try to make reservations in advance or they will be filled up if there's any kind of motorcycle rally going on.

[OldBear]

Check over by Tellico Plains TN on the other end of the skyway. There are several neat places to stay there, there's a really great bakery in town AND Tellico Plains Motorcycle Outfitters. Mike is a great guy there and he'll give you all kinds of tips on the area!

[Richie R]

I PM'd Dragonrider and he said:

 

Most definitely there will be a Vogel V in August 2011, It will be the third weekend, the dates are 8/17 thru 8/21. I havent posted it as official yet, but I have always done it the third weekend of August. I think the cabins are the best, they are clean, and not all that expensive, We have stayed in the cabins every time we go to Vogel. Then there is always camping and RV.

 

Lewis

What is a Vogel V ? We are planning on going next summer.

Thanks Richie R

[Jon Bogott]

I live in Knoxville and news just reported that target date for opening Dragon is now July 1, 2010. They did say that they found some more unstable rock and will need to do more work, so check dates. Right now you can only enter and return on North Carolina side by the Deals Gap Store. You can ride up to the slide area, and then turn around. Here is web site.. http://www.tailofthedragon.com/

 

You might want to come early 6/16-19 to enjoy the Knoxville Bike Rally starting this year to replace the Honda Hoot... http://www.knoxvillebikerally.com/

[DragonRider]

Since 2005 my wife and I with help from various members of VR have been hosting a Venturerider Rally at Vogel State Park in Blairsville, Ga. It starts on a Wed, and runs through Sun, when everybody takes off back to home. We have various rides and get-togethers while we are there, it is a great time to meet other members of Venturerider. We have a couple of orginized rides, with one being going to the Dragon at Deals Gap, and the Cherahola Skyway, whick makes for an all day ride. There is a registration fee that includes a shirt and patch, and a catered meal on Saturday. We have a great time and make many new friends in doing so. If you want to see some pics of the previous ones click on this link VRPhotos and you will find many pics of previous events. Sleeperhawks Mechanic especially has many folders of pics there. Just lookl for Vogel or Tail of the Dragon, Sleeperhawks Tail of the Dragon, and you will find many.

 

I havent made the formal announcement for next years Vogel/Tail of the Dragon yet, but it will be the 3rd weekend in August 2011.

 

What is a Vogel V ? We are planning on going next summer.

Thanks Richie R

[tpalshadow]

Here is a cool camera they have on the slide: http://earthcam.com/clients/tennessseedot/

[Sgtglenn]

During my trip to the Dragon a few years ago I stayed at

a Microtel Hotel in Robbinsville. Nice, clean motorcycle friendly

hotel - have dedicated cycle spaces by the front door.

 

Note - Hotel is in a dry county. Must bring in your own adult beverages from outside the county.

[Guest scarylarry]

I stayed there and it is a great town, I asked the rep. at motel about a bootlegger, she said, he killed himself when he got caught bottlegging and wasn't going back to prison...I never asked another question about a drink......

[GaThumper]

+1 for Two Wheel Inn and Microtel in Robbinsville

 

+2 for the Iron Horse and also Cheraholla Motorcycle Resort in Tellico Plains

 

+3 for the Dragon V at Vogel, you can't go wrong with this one!

 

 

So much to see! The Blue Ridge Parkway up past Ashville to Grandfather Mountain and Blowing Rock, and SO many great little roads dropping down off the parkway. (Don't miss the Linn Cove Viaduct across Grandfather Mountain) You could stay a night or two at Little Switzerland and explore the parkway above Ashville. (I don't know the parkway north of there, but there's another 300 miles of it extending on up to Skyline Drive in Virginia)

 

In Ashville the Biltmore House and Grove Park Inn are just two landmarks. South of Ashville on the parkway check out NC highways 81, 276, 215, 281, maybe Maggie Valley, Bryson City, Cherokee, and don't miss Hwy 28 down to Franklin and 64 west of Franklin to Wayah Rd which will end up near 129 to continue on to the Dragon. I like many of these roads better than the Dragon, but you will want to check out the famous Dragon's Tail.

 

Spend the night at the Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge in Steccoa (just outside of Robbinsville) and then be sure to ride the Cheraholla Skyway (143) over to Tellico Plains, TN. Be sure to save at least a day for NE Georgia.

 

From Tellico Plains you could take 315 south to Reliance and then 30 to Hwy 64 at Lake Ocoee. Hwy 64 east (make sure it's re-opened?) is a nice ride along the Ocoee River (maybe stop and take a guided trip down some great whitewater) to Ducktown and then take 68 into Georgia where it becomes GA Hwy 60. 60 will take you dow to Two Wheels Only and then hang a left on Hwy 180 over to 129 at Vogel State Park. Right on 129 toward Cleveland and left on Alt 75 up to Helen, north Georgia's little Bavarian Village for a possible overnight.

 

GA 348, Richard Russell Scenic Hwy turns left off Alt 75 just before you get to Helen. (It's closed now but should re-open soon) Loop across Richard Russell Scenic Hwy and take a right on 180 to get to Brasstown Bald, the highest point in GA, then continue 180 to 17/75 south back to Helen. From Helen you could head north on 17/75, right on 356 just north of Helen to Hwy 197 north to Lake Burton and then 76 east to Clayton. Another possible overnight is the Dillard House north of Clayton, GREAT food!

 

From the Dillard House is another nice loop, continue north on 441 to turn right on 246 just before the NC state line. It will become NC 106 and take you to Highlands NC and 28 back south from Highlands into GA where you want to take a right on Warwoman Rd back to Clayton.

 

Whew! Lot to digest there, and I'm sure there are just as many great roads and places I've left out, but it should give you something to think about! Google is your friend.

 

Ride Safe!

James

[Boomer]

Headed over there Saturday to ride a bunch over the weekend. Anybody planning on this weekend, let me know!