We had a cabin there two summers ago in the exact area you are. Awesome cabin! Luxury and clean! Awesome rides in and around that whole area, all have already been mentioned. You and your party are in for a great time!!! Enjoy the riding

 

Look up americaridesmaps.com tons of great riding. Dragon is good but there is alot more that is much better imho.

 

Rented from them before, not that cabin but another. Big company been around for a long time. Most cabins have everything you need. Dishes, silverware, some cooking utensils, towels, sheets etc. They mostly rent peoples private get away cabins that they have set up days or weeks they wont be in them in order to make their payment. Just treat it like its someones home and leave it like you find it. There is usually a short list of things you have to do before you leave that the cleaning service does not take care of. Lots to do in the area and you will be right in the center for access to most everything. Enjoy!

 

Did the trip last year and had a blast ... did the cabin thing and would definitely do it again ... soooo many great roads and rides in the area .... we stayed just outside of Cherokee .... one word of advice .... I see you're from Michigan ... be sure to take a Dot Helmet with you ... on our way over to the Cherohala one morning we got stopped in a State Police "enforcement zone" .... checked ID's, registrations and helmets ... enjoy your vacation Brother.

 

The trip to the dragon was my first ever road trip last year. Just got the Ultra Classic and put over 1500 miles on that trip. Absolutely beautiful riding.
Don't ride it on the weekends and the crotch rockets won't be too bad. I'm not interested in dragging the floor boards so I'd just ease over to the right and flag the rockets around. One Ducati actually got to pass me three times, once on the way to Deal's Gap, again the next morning on the dragon, and then again after he got his speeding ticket on the dragon.
Don't get rushed and have a blast!!!

 

What he said, give yourself time to look at everything lots of good roads to ride down here

 

Alot of good info here and even more if you do a "search"...
P.S. Dont try to do it all....YOU WILL BE BACK!!!!!!!
Happy Trails.......o~`o.......................

 

Not familiar with those cabins. And I generally avoid that area when I'm over there, which is about once a month. If you want some info on the non-tourist places send me an email.

But, I will add, Hog's and Honey's and Pucker's in Gatlinburg are good places, they are located in the same building. I prefer Pucker's

 

Also be sure to do a day trip to the Blue Ridge Pkwy. awesome scenery

 

I ride that area at least 4-5 times a summer, prefer the Cherohala Skyway and the Foothills Parkway to the Dragon, Wares Valley road is a decent ride, there's one curve that really sneaks up on you! As another poster stated, Highlands NC is a quaint little mountain town and the ride getting there is great, there is a waterfall that you can actually ride under on a paved road! You and the others are going to enjoy your vacation, there are so many twisties to ride on, just be careful and watch out for tourist's in cagers, they don't pay attention very well. Make sure you take your time, some of these roads can really be tricky if you're unfamiliar with them. Make sure all of you have a DOT approved helmet the THP will write you a ticket(ask me how I know this!..LOL) Just enjoy your time here, I'm sure you will be back down this way again!....Cheers!!