Agreed.....weekdays are your best option. You must grab a burger at Deal's. You will not need to eat for at least a week!

 

The dragon is one you should ride. If a faster bike comes up just move to the side and they will pass.
I stayed at the Copperhead lodge in Blairsville, Its around 70 a night but is in the middle of some great riding.
You shound check out the Warwomen , take it to the moonshiner 38< it takes u back to the dragon.
Just check out the area on line then go have some fun........

 

Rode the dragon a couple of times, best time is during the week, not as many rockets and leo's. Check into the Devil's Triangle, also the moonshiner Hwy, love the Cherohala Skyway, a lot of runs more challenging than the Dragon. They have maps that show these runs and where to find them. Personally, we have more challenging roads here in Virginia I enjoy more..

 

I like to stay at this place.

www.kickstandlodge.com

No need to pack your own tent (you can rent a cabin or their tent), great comradery, home made meals and can't beat the people. There are plenty of roads to ride, some have big names and some are just ones that you wander upon.

 

I recommend to stay in Maggie Valley, at the Best Western Mountainbrook for example.They welcome bikers and if you have the (free) Best Western/HD Ride Awards Card, you'll get preferential treatment. Very spacious and comfy rooms, very reasonably priced, free continental breakfast and walking distance to several bars/restaurants and close to the famous WTT museum.
Maggie Valley is a beautiful little town, in a gorgeous setting and it's very biker friendly. It's located 5mn from the Blue Ridge Parkway, 15mn from Cherokee from which you can take Rte 441 which is an amazing ride to Gatlinburg through the Smoky Mountains National Park, 45mn to the Dragon and 1hr from the Cherohala Skwy, which is, in my opinion, much more beautiful and interesting than the Dragon and the BRP.
If time permits, ride the Foothills Pkwy after the Dragon and don't forget to visit Smoky Mntn HD in Maryville TN.

 

I agree with Frenchbiker we stayed in Maggie Valley at the Stony Creek Motel $50.00 a night and great rooms and close to breakfast...The owners of the motel are biker friendly and really good to bikers....Offered to let us wash out bikes and supplied towels.... All in all a great experience there...Not far from Ghost town Harley, Cherokee close also.....Just about 1/2 mile to Wheels of thyme This was our second trip there and have had a blast both times....Very, very good people at the Stony Creek Motel....

 

Another vote for staying in Maggie Valley at Stony Creek Motel. Try to get room number 3 if you can, the bed is the best...LMAO. If you want good Food and great Hospitality, eat at the Legends in Maggie Valley, Great Biker friendly Bar! Great Dealer near by, Ghost Town HD. If you want a great ride out of Maggie valley, take hwy 209 up the mtn. to Hot Springs NC. Like the other poster said, get a map of the area and have fun. Don't let anybody scare you about the Dragon. It's a must ride! The leo's won't bother you if you behave. Go during the week and you might not even see one.

 

One of the curviest roads has to be Hwy 32 outside of Cosby TN. Makes the dragon look like almost a straight road. But no matter where you ride it is wonderful! Maggie Valley is ok but not my cup of tea due to it is a ghost town after 6 PM so get supplies and supper early.

 

Good advice We stayed in Maggie Valley. Rode the Dragon on a Monday and no problems....reminded me of home. If you go up to Maryville, the route that follows the river (don't remember the river's name) is a great ride also. Oh yeah, if you like to gamble, you can stay at the casino in Cherokee.

 

+1 for the Cherohala. I did it this past summer...what a gorgeous ride! Lots of scenery, changes in elevation (you get up over 5,000+ feet), and safe places to pull off and take pictures. You can easily do both the dragon and the cherohala if you are staying in the area.