I stayed in Robbinsville, just south of the Dragons Tail. I believe it was an Econo Lodge. Price was reasonable and definately motorcycle friendly. You are on the south end of the tail and only about five minutes away. LIke someone else mentioned, you gotta ride Cherohala as well. It is a much more relaxing and beautiful ride. The dragons tail is WORK, but worth it too. Anyway, enjoy your trip,

 

Just googled it..I stayed at the MicroTel inn here is the link

 

heading up thier in may...to ride both deals & skyway,,& what ever else i can find to ride...we are going to stay at the ironhorse.....

 

the dragon is a great ride, just try to ride it during the week as it gets crowded on the weekend. It also seems you also have more people trying for their "best times" on the weekend. There is also adam around there that was used in the movie "The Fugitive"

 

There is also adam around there that was used in the movie "The Fugitive"
Says miacycles

Glad you are here I had the wrong movie.

 

The road from the main "parkway" / HWY 401 as its refered by the locals in Pigeon Forge is Wears Valley Rd also HWY 321, stop light3, BP gas station on corner, (Smokey Mountain Harley D behind BP Station, cut through the parking lot hang a left).. Its as stated in other post ...dead ends in guess what... Wears Valley! who whould of thunk it... then get GAS if your going to the Gap!!! Turn Right goes to the Dragon Turn left goes to Gatlinburg, good ride if you got a late start.Turn right, Dragon...follow it until the 4 lane becomes 2 then LOOK LEFT for signs that readsFOOTHILLS PARKWAY at the top of hill, as stated GO SLOW, SPEED TRAPthis road then dead ends at hwy 129 at the lake... its a day ride for sure. Weather....last year it was 75-80 way not normal , year b4, 2006....snow, I know because I was building our cabin then in Sevierville / Pigeon Forge. Eats....in PigeonForge, "The Old Mill", if you eat all they bring ya,you are a mighty big dude. Also the "Apple Barn" both good. Only bar in Pigeon forge, "Alphs" north end of town by the Apple Barn. ummm a cool ride, take DollyWood lane stop light 8 LEFT... only goes left, STAY IN THE RIGHT LANE... TAKE NEXT RIGHT AT LIGHT....at most you go 1/4 mile, Dolly wood lane will become UPPER MIDDLE CREEK....NOT MIDDLE CREEK. UPPER MIDDLE CREEK till it dead ends at Dunns market this is 5 miles, turn left, quick right (all happens within 2 blocks) follow this road called Pittman Center RD.....very nice sweepers... always stay right...til it dead ends at hwy 321. Turn right takes youto Gatlinburg....dont go . Turn Left til it ends agian...ummm 10 miles. This is "Cosby"....hey another bar right across the street, pass it up... turn right...see the sign that says this road ends in 11 miles...good, keep going , It dosent end , well kind of... This road is AWESOME, no traffic...very tight ,20 mph would be fast!, puts the dragon to shame...shhhhh dont tell anyone its here....take it til the pavement ends. HEY ! now you are at the NC and TN state line, the Appalachian trail crosses here too!, damn wish ya brought the dual sport, this dirt road could be fun... DONT DO IT ON A HARLEY it gets wash boarded. Turn around to the bar have one. back on 321 towards Gatlinburg. OOps missed Pittman Center Rd...its ok keep going to Gatlinburg....all the way to 401, in Gatlinburg hang a right to Pigeon, hang a left over the mountian to Cherokee...Cherokee 1 hour in good weather, Pigeon 15 minutes...right back where we started..... ahhhh all that from Michigan. Sorry...my cabin is booked...Bristol race weekend .HOTELS GALORE in Pigeon Forge, cheap this time a year like $30 a nite....come 1 month from now2 1/2 times that. Hey I will be there 2 weeks later than you! Ihave a 2008 Street Glide that needs miles, only have 900 on it!, anyone that wants to PM or email me richard@timberland-usa.com me I've ridden all over this area for years , 6 -8 times a year...we have a vacation home there!. After this post maybe I /We need to start a where to ride thread by State.

 

I stayed at this place last year and had a blast. Tons of great roads including the dragons tail.
http://www.cabinsatnantahala.com/
Chattooga cabin. It's at the bottom of the hill. A really steep hill!
I'm hoping to get back this year.

 

Just made reservations at Princess Motel in Maryville for the first week of June - $57.00/night including tax - stone throw from Deal Gap and other attractions in the area - good luck and ride safe

 

I prefer the Ironhorse Motorcycle lodge.... in Stenoh NC.... but they (and Kickstand Lodge) might be closed for the "winter" Both are in a DRY county, so if you want an Adult Beverage, you'll have to pack it in... Ridgetop inn, in Bryson City should be open... nice place, very Biker-friendly, and you have a greater choice in food... downtown Bryson City is a short ride down the hill....

Weather can be tricky in the mountains.... 60's and warm here on the flatland... cold and snowy up top....good luck

frank
raleigh

Edited to add, there's also Fontana Village... but many places are closed this time of year... beyond the dragon ( think 2-3 gear) there's cherahola, and foothills pakway... but also hit 28 from Deals gap to US-74 fun road too heck... if it doesn't turn into a gravel road... all the roads in the area are great

 

There's a few of us going down the 7th of june , (leaving from south of stl. ) we go every year and rent a cabin in the mountains , great time ,we go to the store and buy grocerys so we don't have to eat out the whole time , washer and dryer to for those rainy days , we love it (mountainchalets.com)hot tub feels great after a long days ride