We will be going in late June for the first time. Trailering the bikes from MA to Virginia.

1. Do you know of a decent place to stay (motel/B&B) at the northern edge of Skyline Drive (Front Royal) where we can leave the truck and trailer for our week excursion? Appears the area is Winchester VA to Front Royal VA. The place that was originally recommended, Long Hill B&B, closed up in 2013.

2. Other recommended places to stay. Seems that we will be completing our days in Vinton VA, Boone NC and Gatlinburg,TN.

3. Major attractions that we shouldn’t miss first time through.

4. Any other thoughts that we should consider.

I know that many of you have done this route or live in the area. Appreciate all the advice you can offer.

 

We stayed at a major chain motel in Front Royal. Don't remember which one. Don't know where you might be able to leave a truck and trailer. Might look into self storage places. Usually pretty cheap for a monthly rental.

I suggest you take your time on the parkway. We were pressed for time and went from Front Royal to Ashville in 2 days. Missed a lot of stuff that I wish we had seen. Get a pamphlet that shows all the attractions along the way and pick the ones that interest you.

Bill

 

I've ridden it three times, but do not recall the motels. If you have time, of course check out the Tail of the Dragon and the Cherohala Skyway. The Foothills Parkway is a nice connector for a loop to or from Gatlinburg. Cades Cove is a nice side trip in Great Smoky NP, if the traffic is not too bad.

Cheers,
Doc

 

Groves Harley in Winchester might let be able to help out with storage and hotel suggestions. I think that there is a Wal-mart near the intersection of US 340 and I-66 just north of Front Royal and there may be a few hotels in that area.

 

stayed in a Motel 6 in Front Royal, but i rode there from RI. Grandfather Mountain is not far off BRP and is worth the ride. I rode it the beginning of June and had great weather, chilly in the morning but warms up fast. Think of stopping in York PA on the way down for the HD factory tour !!

 

I also stayed at Harrahs Casino in Cherokee at the end of BRP. A little overpriced but its a nice resort to wind down

 

We spent 5 days in that area last summer. We rode down so I can't help too much with truck storage. We have used campgrounds and storage units when we go to Flordia in the winter time. Others have said that a lot of HD dealerships will let you leave a truck and trailer in their lots. We spent one night at the Switzerland Inn in Little Switzerland. It's right on the BRPY. We spent two nights at The Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge in Robinsonville,NC. They have a good web site. They are close to the tail of the dragon. The Iron Horse is a really nice place to stay. There were lots of other bikers there.You also want to see the Wheels through Time Motorcycle museum in Maggie Valley. We also visited the Biltmore Mansion in Asherville. It was a little pricy but very interesting. Lots of other things to do.

 

I agree, I would try the nearest Harley Dealer to where you are starting. Most of the time they will help you out. Buy a t-shirt or something.

 

Hi Beancount,

Cannot help with the trailer storage and not sure on the motel thing in Front Royal (we have stayed at Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn in that area and both were nice but may not be in your
target price range). Definitely Skyline drive and do the whole Parkway which in itself is a lot to see, especially if you take advantage of the pulloffs etc. Take a look at Floyd VA for a potential
place to stay (Hotel Floyd). Not far from the parkway and pretty reasonable prices. Little Switzerland is nice, awesome views and good food. They have a cheaper part of the hotel for bikers
and you can ride some of the roads right by there like the Devils Whip and Diamondback 226A without having to carry your gear. Grandfather mountain is a nice visit but a bit pricy if there is no view
so ask at the bottom to verify it is clear up top. Also, if you are adverse to tight switchbacks, the top is a bit butt tightening for some. Mount Mitchell is the highest peak in the east and is an easy ride
to the top, worth doing (short hike ~ less than half mile or 10 minutes to the very peak of it but setup so most can do it easily). Since I am not sure what specifically you are looking for, I am just suggesting
ride based ideas. The last couple hundred miles of the parkway are the best for high mountain/curves/views generally so allow for more time there. Maggie valley is the place for motels toward the end.
Holiday Motel, Creekside are good to name a couple and Wheels Thru Time is right there and a zillion good rides (like the dragon, Skyway and many others) can be done from there. Hope you have the time to
really enjoy it and to work around potential fog/cloud days (be prepared with your rain gear as it can change relatively fast) mornings seem to be most common but local folks can really give you the lowdown on that.
Let us know what additional data you need or if you have specific interests. Lots of folks on here have ridden the Parkway. I personally would suggest at least three days down, additional days for other rides like the dragon
and other places you ride/visit, plus a day or two of wiggle room. You can always haul *** back to Front Royal on 81 if you need to make up some time (I have done that, riding one day up through North Carolina on the parkway then bailing to 81 and avoiding -OK not really, we rode in- major rain) :-)

We have done the full ride a couple times N to S riding from NH down to there, as well as have done chunks on other rides. We will be down there again in Sept to explore W VA then cutting over to Mount Airy and starting our parkway trip near Floyd this year, try some new rides in the TN/NC/Georgia area then off to Natchez. Love the parkway!!

Dave

 

I stayed in a little no name dive right next to the bar and grill that the locals go to, twice! It was cheap and I could park the bike and walk(stagger) back. That was in Front Royal. It's on the main strip to the Skyline. Skyline is kinda boring and slow. The BRP is way better. If Your staying in Front Royal for a Bit, do the caves. They're awesome. The Dragon is one of those things You want to say You did, but Your on a Harley Touring bike not a rice rocket. I have sticker that says I did it. Won't waste time going back!