Gatlinburg has lots of things to do all in walking distance, I kinda see it as the boardwalk of the smokies. If your looking to park and walk, that is where I would stay. When I went, I stayed in Alcoa TN but pretty much had to ride to go anywhere noteworthy.

I went to the dragon/cherahola on a weekend, and if you plan your ride later in the day, it is a lot less hectic/crazy. Hell, I think we were the only ones on the cherahola when we rode it. . . . it was kinda eerie. We started down the dragon about 4:00, and rode the skyway back, it was dark by the time we got back to Alcoa. We stopped to take lots of photos, and to eat. We even saw some bears.

Just an FYI of the Blue ridge parkway is closed due to a big crack in the road. wont be fixed and re opened until Labor day.

 

Question for riders who live in the Maggie Valley area. Local residents told my cousin, who just moved to Asheville about a year ago, that they have not seen or heard of this much rain in the area since the 80's.

As far as the Dragon, I may just stop at the store and pick up some souvenirs and continue on to the Cherohala Skyway depending on the weather and traffic on the dragon. If I have a t-shirt, it means I did it, right!!!!!

 

I would avoid staying Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, especially on the weekends, just because of the traffic. Downtown Gatlinburg can be a parking lot.

The Dragon isn't far from any place in Knoxville which will give you plenty of options for hotels and restaurants. I'm sure there are places in Sevierville or Seymour where you could stay for cheap, and they'll have various chain restaurants as well. You could find cabins around the area as well, but I'm not sure how many restaurants would be in walking distance of them.

Definitely explore the roads around the area. Smoky Mtn National Park and Cherohala has awesome scenery riding. You can also run the southern portion of the BRP (check http://maps.nps.gov/blri/road-closures/ for road closures) or head through Murphy, NC to the Ocoee. From here in Chattanooga, groups will make day rides to those areas and still be back for the dinner bell.

http://www.tailofthedragonresorts.com/

To each his own. The first time my wife and I ran the dragon, we stopped at a pull-off at the end and she said, "Is that it?" People make it to be a lot more than it is. As with any stretch of road, anyone can ride it as long as they know their limits.

 

hey
just came back from the dragon.
stayed here was really cool, they have garages for each room (1 bike with an electric door)
they have chairs and a table for each room to put in front your room.
a laundry too.
like 80.00 a night

 

I go almost every year and usually get a cabin in townsend. It's basically between the Dragon and Pigeon Forge. Before you get into the congested part, there is a restaturant called Calhouns across from the Harley Dealer there as well as a very biker friendly bar (I can't remember the name of it). I recommend starting the ride at Hwy 411 onto Hwy 129. There are quite a few biker friendly places on that part as well as a small Harley outlet store. Or take the Foothills Parkway to the Dragon, follow on to the Skyway and get back to 421 and then Hang a right on to 129 and go back up through the Foothills if your staying in Tennessee. If your staying on the N.C. side, start with the Skyway. Traffic is not that big of deal if you pace yourself. Just keep an eye out for cops and remember to smile for all the cameras

 

I been there twice rented a cabin near gatlinburg last year and another one this year right at the Dragon but the driveways to the cabins are not for the faint of heart lol pretty steep and twisty.. next time I go I would stay right in robbinsville at microtel or get a room at Deals gap right at the gas station at the Dragon..

 

When I was up that way in Nov. of 2009 I stayed at the Microtel in Robbinsville. The little place right across the parking lot was good food and great service, I think the name of it was "Our Daily Bread" or something like that. There is also a little diner up the hill that was good food. The only real downside to the town is nothing is open on a Sunday night, so you better stock up or be ready to eat McDonalds or gas station sandwiches.

 

Maggie is a great hub for many different routes. As already said, seems it has rained here since the fall. Heck its raining now. All Western NC is soggy and soaked. Rain the rest of the week and sorry to say weekend looks bad. Morning and afternoons have been good, however evenings have been severe at times..

 

In Robbinsville I hghly recommend the Phillips Motel. Owned by a sweet lady, second generation, ultra clean rooms, covered garage to park the bike under, space permitting. Call ahead for reservation if possible. Arrived late one evening, pouring rain, foggy, was going to eat and she said "Take my car Hon", it was a Mercedes coupe, nearly new! Now that is Southern Hospitality. Been staying with her for about 10 years, at least twice a year. Even furnishes towels to clean the bike with. Try it, you'll like it. PHHILLIPS MOTEL, 290 Main Street, PO Box 644, Robbinsville, NC 28771, 828-479-3370, Fax 828-479-8721

 

Rode the Dragon in June. Stayed in Knoxville at the airport Hilton. Nice place has a restaurant and bar in the lobby. I was there for an event and we went a few days early. The Dragon is okay, just a lot of turns. By the time I was half way up I was ready for it to be over. Very monotonous. As stated lots of idiots and we were lucky enough to have them racing bicycles up the hill.

Watch out for cops and don't be in a hurry and you will be fine.