Planning a Road Trip to TN, GA, NC and SC
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,906
Likes: 7,591
From: NH
Good info Rocker. We are traveling with 3 couples. Typically like to stay 3-4 nights in one place and explore the area and then move to another spot. I had the Gauntlet on my list. Would you suggest Blairsville and Maggy Valley areas for home bases? Or anything else you can recommend? thx
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,563
Likes: 3,978
From: Virginia
We’ve been to the area several times over the years. The Best Western in Maggie Valley is decent and motorcycle friendly. You’re basically in the center of the riding hub. There are some good recommendations for rides in this thread, basically 5 to 7 days of riding will hit all the popular motorcycle rides in a 150 mile radius. You can find route maps online or stop at the hotel front desk or any of the local shops and ask for a motorcycle ride map, it’s a small booklet they used to produce.
https://maggievalley.org/scenic-drives/
https://maggievalley.org/scenic-drives/
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,906
Likes: 7,591
From: NH
Here are a few recommendations : Gatlinburg --- https://luxuryretreats.hospitable.re...-4-king-suites. I,ve stayed in this area[ not this exact cabin] but great if your group likes an array of restaurants /shopping/ sightseeing and entertainment --Awesome scenic ride over Newfound Gap [441] to Cherokee NC, can be slow due to traffic.
Maggie Valley area: Cabin rentals--- https://maggievalley.org/maggie-vall...ation-rentals/ The Best Western in the middle of town - https://www.google.com/search?client...UTF-8&oe=UTF-8. Very close to Wheels Through Time[ a must visit].
Blairsville Ga : Copperhead Lodge- -https://www.ch-resort.com - Gauntlet ride and nice ride to Helen Ga and surrounding area[ fun visit] need 2 full days for these in my opinion.
There are many other places to stay and see, you can't really go wrong being in the Smokys --Maggie Valley is laid back and quiet if that's what the group likes-Gatlinburg is busy if that's your thing- Robbinsville area is a dry county if you look for something there[we did the Treehouse Resort] . Don't forget to ride the Rattler 209 from Hot Springs back towards Maggie Valley area. We've stayed in Cabins--Hotels- Motels and a Treehouse and enjoyed ever place.I would say whatever the group dynamics are is where you should look to stay --- Long days riding then quiet relaxing evening with a few drinks and good dinner with friends= Maggie Valley
Sightseeing/shopping/hiking/ride one destination and head back for entertainment and quantity of restaurant choices and nightlife= Gatlinburg.
Beautiful riding, scenery ,and all the amenities at hand=Copperhead Lodge.
Enjoy the riding and the Hospitality .
Rocker
Maggie Valley area: Cabin rentals--- https://maggievalley.org/maggie-vall...ation-rentals/ The Best Western in the middle of town - https://www.google.com/search?client...UTF-8&oe=UTF-8. Very close to Wheels Through Time[ a must visit].
Blairsville Ga : Copperhead Lodge- -https://www.ch-resort.com - Gauntlet ride and nice ride to Helen Ga and surrounding area[ fun visit] need 2 full days for these in my opinion.
There are many other places to stay and see, you can't really go wrong being in the Smokys --Maggie Valley is laid back and quiet if that's what the group likes-Gatlinburg is busy if that's your thing- Robbinsville area is a dry county if you look for something there[we did the Treehouse Resort] . Don't forget to ride the Rattler 209 from Hot Springs back towards Maggie Valley area. We've stayed in Cabins--Hotels- Motels and a Treehouse and enjoyed ever place.I would say whatever the group dynamics are is where you should look to stay --- Long days riding then quiet relaxing evening with a few drinks and good dinner with friends= Maggie Valley
Sightseeing/shopping/hiking/ride one destination and head back for entertainment and quantity of restaurant choices and nightlife= Gatlinburg.
Beautiful riding, scenery ,and all the amenities at hand=Copperhead Lodge.
Enjoy the riding and the Hospitality .
Rocker
Last edited by Rocker NH; Dec 12, 2023 at 09:14 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 8,134
Likes: 9,532
From: central NC
Just saw this thread. This is just a copy/paste from a post I made on a local Carolina’s forum this morning while I plan a similar trip.
The Eat Taters & Wear No Clothes Spring Ride, 2024.
(i.e. ET & WNC, East TN and Western NC for the non-locals).
In no particular order...
- Foothills Parkway, between the west side of Tail of the Dragon, and Wears Valley, TN (just west of Gatlinburg)
-Wayah Rd, between Topton, NC and Franklin, NC
- Hellbender - 28 from Deals Gap, past Fontana Dam, to Stecoah
-Moonshiner 28 - continue on 28 from Stecoah to Franklin, NC, and maybe on down to Highlands, NC. Continues down to Seneca SC.
- Cherohala Skyway - Between Tellico Plains, NC and Robbinsville, NC. Always a great ride. The road washed out on the west side late last year, but has re-opened.
- Maggie Valley and Dale’s Wheels Through Time
-Devil’s Triangle/Brushy Mountain State Pen - 62 and 116, north west of Knoxille. This ride is a smidge out of the way.
Also looking at some new locations to stay in far west NC
Thus far I’ve stayed at:
-The Lodge at Tellico, Tellico Plains TN, on the west side of the Cherohala Skyway. Cancellation policy is “flexible”. Great folks, and a nice place.
- Two Wheel Inn in Robbinsville, NC is great, but if you cancel inside 14 days prior to check-in, you lose your one night deposit.
The Eat Taters & Wear No Clothes Spring Ride, 2024.
(i.e. ET & WNC, East TN and Western NC for the non-locals).
In no particular order...
- Foothills Parkway, between the west side of Tail of the Dragon, and Wears Valley, TN (just west of Gatlinburg)
-Wayah Rd, between Topton, NC and Franklin, NC
- Hellbender - 28 from Deals Gap, past Fontana Dam, to Stecoah
-Moonshiner 28 - continue on 28 from Stecoah to Franklin, NC, and maybe on down to Highlands, NC. Continues down to Seneca SC.
- Cherohala Skyway - Between Tellico Plains, NC and Robbinsville, NC. Always a great ride. The road washed out on the west side late last year, but has re-opened.
- Maggie Valley and Dale’s Wheels Through Time
-Devil’s Triangle/Brushy Mountain State Pen - 62 and 116, north west of Knoxille. This ride is a smidge out of the way.
Also looking at some new locations to stay in far west NC
Thus far I’ve stayed at:
-The Lodge at Tellico, Tellico Plains TN, on the west side of the Cherohala Skyway. Cancellation policy is “flexible”. Great folks, and a nice place.
- Two Wheel Inn in Robbinsville, NC is great, but if you cancel inside 14 days prior to check-in, you lose your one night deposit.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 963
Likes: 145
From: Displaced hillbilly
we love Bryson City
its got a couple of really great breweries and some really good places to eat
..
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 141
Likes: 150
From: Tn
Temps could be 45 -80 degrees and it might rain that time of year here in East TN. Our weather is never consistent here year to year but generally its fairly nice riding that time of year.