Tail of the dragon trip

[TonyT930]

I agree with the many other drivers when they said that the tail of the dragon is better during the week. Less traffic and its safer. Ive done it twice. Once in my mustang vert(weekend) and once on my motorcycle(weekday).

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[skinnyb]

After comments here and a few in person, I think I’m going to aim for a 4 day trip to include cherahala skyway and have time to enjoy the area. I don’t want to just drive down and be there for a day, turn around and leave.

If you are here anytime over a weekend, HMU I love to go out and ride. LOTS of cool roads in the East TN, WNC area. As a native of WNC, and been in E TN since 2020, I LOVE to go out on weekends...

 

[TonyT930]

After comments here and a few in person, I think I’m going to aim for a 4 day trip to include cherahala skyway and have time to enjoy the area. I don’t want to just drive down and be there for a day, turn around and leave.

I agree. So are so many great roads to explore. The Smokey Mountain National Park is great too. High speed sweeping corners

 

[sdskinner73]

If you are here anytime over a weekend, HMU I love to go out and ride. LOTS of cool roads in the East TN, WNC area. As a native of WNC, and been in E TN since 2020, I LOVE to go out on weekends...

Currently, I’m thinking the second or third week of June 2027. I’m asking a few people I know if they’re interested. I’ll probably start to solidify plans around December-January.

 

[TonyNJ]

@skinnyb This is great. Thank you very much. I'll probably hit this up in early August.

 

[skinnyb]

@skinnyb This is great. Thank you very much. I'll probably hit this up in early August.

I live in Knoxville area, I hit the dragon quite frequently on the weekends. Usually Sunday fairly early is the pick on weekends...

 

[TonyNJ]

Sure, I am coming from Knoxville so I go down interstate 75 to exit 60, then I take hwy 68 to Tellico Plains, turn left onto the Skyway... Take the Skyway into Robbinsville, then turn left onto 129. That takes you right to the Tapoco Lodge. Come out of the lodge and continue on up to Deals Gap and the TOD back to Maryville and Knoxville. An alternate is at TN end of the TOD, turn right onto the foothills parkway and go back to Townsend and Pigeon Forge. I will work on Google maps to make a route and post when I get a minute..

So if I'm coming from NJ, and want to do the big loop... Start in Pigeon Forge, go north west over and down to Tellico, then make my way through Cherhola, then the Lodge, up through the Foothills and finish back in Pigeon Forge?

Basically, it's all good no matter where I start, right?

Is the Lodge a good place to stay the night? Food and drinks? Or am I better off in PF?

 

[decableguy2000]

The lodge isn't bad, but you'll have a lot more options in PF. Another good ride is US 441 through the park from Gatlinburg back to Cherokee to Fontana.

 

[OldbutNew]

We did PITS for 4 or 5 years in a row. Missed it last year due to some family priorities.
1000 or so Mustangs in Sevierville!! ToD was always a part of the trip. Even with that many Mustangs in town, weekday traffic was tolerable. I'm interested in the other roads in the area that have been suggested. I like the fact that there are NO intersections or driveways on the Tail.

 

[skinnyb]

So if I'm coming from NJ, and want to do the big loop... Start in Pigeon Forge, go north west over and down to Tellico, then make my way through Cherhola, then the Lodge, up through the Foothills and finish back in Pigeon Forge?

Basically, it's all good no matter where I start, right?

Is the Lodge a good place to stay the night? Food and drinks? Or am I better off in PF?

Lodge is nice, but no conveniences at all. They have Wifi, but ZERO cell signal. Yes PF is much better for staying.

 

[skinnyb]

We did PITS for 4 or 5 years in a row. Missed it last year due to some family priorities.
1000 or so Mustangs in Sevierville!! ToD was always a part of the trip. Even with that many Mustangs in town, weekday traffic was tolerable. I'm interested in the other roads in the area that have been suggested. I like the fact that there are NO intersections or driveways on the Tail.

LOTS of better road options honestly. Less traveled and commercialized. The Devil's Triangle is nice. A bit dirty as it goes thru an off road vehicle park and they use the road too, but it is very technical and fun...

 

[MidwayJ]

So if I'm coming from NJ

Not sure how much time you will have, but coming from that direction I'd look into hitting Back of the Dragon, Diamondback, and maybe The Snake before going further west. You can take parts of the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway as well.

 

[skinnyb]

Not sure how much time you will have, but coming from that direction I'd look into hitting Back of the Dragon, Diamondback, and maybe The Snake before going further west. You can take parts of the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway as well.

Don't forget the Dragon Slayer and the Slingshot too All excellent choices..

 

[TonyNJ]

Not sure how much time you will have, but coming from that direction I'd look into hitting Back of the Dragon, Diamondback, and maybe The Snake before going further west. You can take parts of the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway as well.

Didn't even know about B of TD. Thank you for that. I was just researching the area, I see the Devil's Whip. No trucks allowed. Anyone here familiar with that one?

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