Tail Of The Dragon, Wheels Through Time Trip Planning
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 3,293
Likes: 3,518
From: PA
Tail Of The Dragon, Wheels Through Time Trip Planning
So long story short, just got back from my 10th OCMD bike week and was bored out of my mind. This event has become more about the concerts then anything else.
So I am staring to look to plan a trip to the Tail of the Dragon and the Wheels through time Museum next summer or early fall. Between 6 to 10 people going.
Looking for recommendations on places to stay that will not break the bank. Cabin rentals would be great.
Also looking for some other must see and rides while we are down there. I figured it is best to ask the people who have been there before.
Thanks
So I am staring to look to plan a trip to the Tail of the Dragon and the Wheels through time Museum next summer or early fall. Between 6 to 10 people going.
Looking for recommendations on places to stay that will not break the bank. Cabin rentals would be great.
Also looking for some other must see and rides while we are down there. I figured it is best to ask the people who have been there before.
Thanks
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 927
Likes: 256
From: North Arkansas
So many roads over the hills... Great country
My family really loved hwy 64...west of highlands it has lots of waterfalls. Some of the road was a lot of traffic and touristy, but some great scenery if you hit it out of prime time.
We saw 64 as a waterfall byway i think. It twists back up toward cherohala..if they fix it...and the dragon
We stayed in Maggie valley. We found south side of smokies more reasonable than Gburg Pigeon area
My family really loved hwy 64...west of highlands it has lots of waterfalls. Some of the road was a lot of traffic and touristy, but some great scenery if you hit it out of prime time.
We saw 64 as a waterfall byway i think. It twists back up toward cherohala..if they fix it...and the dragon
We stayed in Maggie valley. We found south side of smokies more reasonable than Gburg Pigeon area
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,417
Likes: 56,984
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Search Cabin rentals in the area ... Some great bargains can be found ... Be sure to check about the driveways ... Some can be challenging and a paved driveway is a definite plus ... Last time we stayed in Cherokee in a 4 bedroom, 4 bath place with a magnificent view on top of a bluff ... It's a dry county but we always managed to find a different route to Bryson and the IGA for some "refreshments" ... You can't go wrong heading in any direction as the roads are always in great condition ... A great source for a map of the area is ... https://americaridesmaps.com/
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 565
Likes: 471
From: Sapulpa, OKlahoma
We've stayed at campgrounds in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Cherokee, NC. All three have their good points but Cherokee gave us the best access to the rides we wanted to do and was close to Maggie Valley. We stayed at the KOA campground in our travel trailer but they also have some nice cabins. The KOA has had a lot of updates and improvements and it the biggest one we've ever stayed at. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are good places to stay if you want to be near shopping, entertainment, and don't mind crowds and traffic.
Our favorites rides, besides the obligatory Tail of the Dragon, were:
Common advice for Tail of the Dragon is to ride it on a weekday morning. We followed this advice and have had a great experience every time.
If you search for the Smoky Mountain Loop it's a good way to ride multiple popular rides in one day. It covers Newfound Gap Road, part of Moonshiner 28, Tail of the Dragon, part of Foothills Parkway, Little River Road, and passes through Gatlinburg and near Pigeon Forge. It takes between half a day to a full day depending on how much you stop.
Plan lots of time for Wheels Through Time, it can be a little overwhelming. Maggie Valley is near the Blue Ridge Parkway so depending on where you're staying you can ride part of it to/from the museum.
Our favorites rides, besides the obligatory Tail of the Dragon, were:
- Moonshiner 28 from Deal's Gap to Walhalla, SC. Several waterfalls and lots of twisty roads. It's a near full day ride there and back and an absolute gem of a ride.
- Little River Road between Gatlinburg and Townsend, TN. Spectacular scenery along the river and lots of places to stop for pictures.
- Cherohala Skyway between Telico Plains and Robbinsville. Relaxing ride with enough curves to keep it interesting.
- Newfound Gap Road between Cherokee, NC and Gatlinburg. Beautiful ride through the middle of the park. You can take a detour up to Klingman's Dome and hike up to the observation tower but I'd suggest going early in the morning. The parking lot gets full and the crowds and traffic get pretty heavy later in the day.
Common advice for Tail of the Dragon is to ride it on a weekday morning. We followed this advice and have had a great experience every time.
If you search for the Smoky Mountain Loop it's a good way to ride multiple popular rides in one day. It covers Newfound Gap Road, part of Moonshiner 28, Tail of the Dragon, part of Foothills Parkway, Little River Road, and passes through Gatlinburg and near Pigeon Forge. It takes between half a day to a full day depending on how much you stop.
Plan lots of time for Wheels Through Time, it can be a little overwhelming. Maggie Valley is near the Blue Ridge Parkway so depending on where you're staying you can ride part of it to/from the museum.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 604
From: Michigan
I’d stay away from Gatlinburg unless you enjoy sitting at stop lights in traffic. Maggie Valley is great base to ride in any direction. Aholiday Hotel is a great place, love the rocking chairs to hang out after a ride. Rattler, Cherahola, Hellbender, etc options galore to ride. As stated by Larry, not all driveways are created equal, check in advance.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,524
Likes: 7,861
From: Long Island, New York
WTT has strange hours and days they are open, always check their website to make sure you are there on a day they are open. A long time ago I missed a visit because they were not open.
Check out Hotel Floyd in Floyd VA, real nice place to stop on the way down. I like to do Winchester VA/Front Royal as my first day stop. Then to Floyd or Roanoke. Next day from Floyd is a great ride to Maggie Valley.
About ten years ago we stayed for about 5 night in MV, stayed in Bear Run Cabins, really nice spot:
Bear Run Log Cabin Rentals (bearrunlogcabins.com)
Good luck, hard to go wrong in that area.
Check out Hotel Floyd in Floyd VA, real nice place to stop on the way down. I like to do Winchester VA/Front Royal as my first day stop. Then to Floyd or Roanoke. Next day from Floyd is a great ride to Maggie Valley.
About ten years ago we stayed for about 5 night in MV, stayed in Bear Run Cabins, really nice spot:
Bear Run Log Cabin Rentals (bearrunlogcabins.com)
Good luck, hard to go wrong in that area.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 4,335
Likes: 3,758
From: Florida
I planned out in great detail a 5 Day trip there for 6 guys.. It was supposed to be Sept 22-25th.. My wife fell and broke her wrist so I had to cancel… big time bummed.
Few things I’ll add is think about your buddies when choosing a place. Just because it sleeps 8 doesn’t mean that will work. It could be 4 queen beds.. since this is a Harley forum and not a Can’t-Am forum I’ll assume biker dudes don’t wanna share a queen bed. (Bud light for all). Might want to search for a place with enough bedrooms.
In your search I searched for one less bedroom than what’s needed because most places also list a office, family room or bonus area with a sleeper.. and that makes an extra bed. Doing it that way adds locations to rent.
Many listings show a low price but tack on other fees when you go to get reservations, so keep that in mind.
I’ve never had rain gear, but for this trip was recommended I get some. If on the cheap frog togg gets it done, might not last, better option o the cheap is ebay Harley rain gear.
Don’t count on your phone navigation.. download the maps, you’ll lose cell service. Call and make sure of wheels through time being open.
Few things I’ll add is think about your buddies when choosing a place. Just because it sleeps 8 doesn’t mean that will work. It could be 4 queen beds.. since this is a Harley forum and not a Can’t-Am forum I’ll assume biker dudes don’t wanna share a queen bed. (Bud light for all). Might want to search for a place with enough bedrooms.
In your search I searched for one less bedroom than what’s needed because most places also list a office, family room or bonus area with a sleeper.. and that makes an extra bed. Doing it that way adds locations to rent.
Many listings show a low price but tack on other fees when you go to get reservations, so keep that in mind.
I’ve never had rain gear, but for this trip was recommended I get some. If on the cheap frog togg gets it done, might not last, better option o the cheap is ebay Harley rain gear.
Don’t count on your phone navigation.. download the maps, you’ll lose cell service. Call and make sure of wheels through time being open.
Last edited by Rains2much; Sep 20, 2023 at 10:40 AM.
Trending Topics
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 234
Likes: 221
From: NE USA
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,978
Likes: 5,218
From: Michigan
Personally I like mid-June thru the end of August for the mountains as it seems to be the driest time of the season.
With so many car and bike groups having their rallies, and unless you want to attend one of those, book your room now and IF you change your mind or find something better later on you can always cancel and re-book somewhere else.
We've stayed in Robbinsville (used to be Microtel at one time) and there's food, etc. nearby and we're also stayed at the Maggie Valley Inn and Conference Center (which we prefer) in M/V several times and they're close to about every restaurant, etc. in town!
With so many car and bike groups having their rallies, and unless you want to attend one of those, book your room now and IF you change your mind or find something better later on you can always cancel and re-book somewhere else.
We've stayed in Robbinsville (used to be Microtel at one time) and there's food, etc. nearby and we're also stayed at the Maggie Valley Inn and Conference Center (which we prefer) in M/V several times and they're close to about every restaurant, etc. in town!