Vroom Vroom! It’s almost spring and for bikers, that means it’s time to get that precious baby out of the garage and on the road. American Patriot Getaways has motorcycle friendly parking and easy drives to cabins close to some of the most fantastic rides in the country in The Great Smoky Mountains.
Across Tennessee and North Carolina in the Smokies are rides including Tail of the Dragon, Blue Ridge Parkway and Cherohala Skyway. You can stay in a cabin with American Patriot Getaways in Tennessee and take these day-trip adventures.
1. The Tail of the Dragon
Tail of the Dragon – with 318 curves in 11 miles. This world-famous ride has tight turns as you travel on U.S. 129 bordered by the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest. There are no intersecting roads or driveways to hamper travel.
The Dragon starts at the Tennessee/North Carolina boarder in Deals Gap. It is a desolate road and the road is the attraction – this isn’t for sight seers. One needs to pay attention to the curves. 18-wheelers are banned on the road – but that doesn’t mean one won’t sneak through.
“Our favorite sections are the Hump, the Esses just before Cattail Straight and the Dips. Be ready to scrape your footpegs in some of these wild curves,” writes the writers of the Tail of Dragon Web site and owners of the Tail of the Dragon store.
On the North Carolina side at Fugitive Bridge, there’s a view of the Cheoah Dam where Harrison Ford jumped from in the movie The Fugitive. The dam and old single lane bridge were also in the 1971 movie Two Lane Blacktop.
Take a break at the big metal dragon at Tail of the Dragon store at the intersection of US 129 and NC 28.
“This is a very special and unique highway. There are no intersecting roads, no houses with driveways and no businesses. Each and every curve is different. There is very little elevation change. And many of the curves are banked like a racetrack. Watch out for a few twists that are off-camber and several that are decreasing radius curves.”
My dad has taken his Harley Trike on the Dragon a couple of times – do it and get the T-shirt, he says.
Check out this year’s Tail of the Dragon Events:
Jan – March
- Mar 14 Dragon Rally One, Fontana Village NC website event
- Mar 20-21 Spring Corvette Expo, Pigeon Forge TN website
- Mar 25-28 Ponies in the Smokies, Sevierville TN website
- Mar 26-29 March Moto Madness – Mother Rally Tellico Plains, TN website
April
- April 1 Pride at the Dragon II, Fontana Village NC event
- April 15-18 Bronco Super Celebration, Townsend TN (Wed at Dragon) website
- April 16-19 Spring Rod Run, Pigeon Forge TN website
- April 17-18 Wookies in the Woods, Fontana Village NC website
- April 23-26 C30s ReConquer the Dragon, Fontana Village facebook
- April 25 Smoky Mountain Cannonball Run, Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson, Maryville TN event
- April 29-May 3 MINI’s on the Dragon, Fontana Village NC website
- April 29-May 3 Deals Gap Rotary Rally website
May
- May 1-4 Yellow Mustang Registry, Pigeon Forge TN website
- May 3-10 Annual Eastern 2 Stroke Motorcycle Meet, DGMR
May 16 EVO Day, Pigeon Forge TN event
2. Cherohala Skyway
Cherohala Skywayis a 43-mile National Scenic Byway from Tellico Plains, Tennessee, to Robbinsville, North Carolina. “Ridge after ridge of forested mountainside with sweeping mountain views as far as the eyes can see; abundant and unobstructed scenic overlooks around every corner; world class hiking trails, refreshing waterfalls and scenic overlooks; a road featured as one of Discovery Channel’s Top 10 Motorcycle Rides in North America
The Skyway winds up and over 5,400 foot mountains for 18 miles in North Carolina and descends another 23 miles into the deeply forested back country of Tennessee.
3. Newfound Gap Road, US-441
Newfound Gap US 441 has an elevation of 5,046 feet, Newfound Gap is the lowest drivable pass through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKm2qvlSsWo
“A trip over the Newfound Gap Road has often been compared to a drive from Georgia to Maine in terms of the variety of forest ecosystems one experiences. Starting from either Cherokee, North Carolina or Gatlinburg, Tennessee, travelers climb approximately 3,000 feet, ascending through cove hardwood, pine-oak, and northern hardwood forest to attain the evergreen spruce-fir forest at Newfound Gap (5,046′). This fragrant evergreen woodland is similar to the boreal forests of New England and eastern Canada.”
More rides to check out:
4. The Blue Ridge Parkway
5. Tennessee 32 From Cosby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqRzL2AQp4E
Where to stay!
Before and after your ride, stay in a cozy cabin that is motorcycle friendly. Here are some of our favorites at American Patriot Getaways:
A Pigeon Forge Retreat
There no mountain roads to traverse, to get to this cabin and there’s a two car garage to keep your ride safe and dry. There’s a flat driveway perfect for car shows and motorcycle parking all wrapped up in a beautiful executive style chalet.
The elegant furnishings include leather sofa and rocker, stainless appliances, custom fixtures, and pillow top mattresses. The community swimming pool is an easy walk down the street. Make sure to see A Pigeon Forge Retreat.
Cabin on the Hill
Cabin On The Hill is a wonderful alternative for those who want both a great mountain view, but no mountain roads – a perfect place to park your bike. Located just off Walden’s Creek, this cabin has everything you could want from the view of the Great Smoky Mountains to the relaxing hot tub to the large back deck, you will find something to love here
Curl up by the gas fireplace. Relax in the hot tub while you gaze at the majestic mountain views. Soak in your private indoor jacuzzi. Kids and kids at heart will love the additional lofted bedroom, fooseball table, and internet access. The 42″ TV in the living room will make anyone happy along with updated log furniture in the bedroom, dining room, and deck.
OMG!
OMG! “Our Majestic Getaway” or OMG! starts at this comfortable 2-bedroom 2-bath Gatlinburg cabin. Located just 1.2 miles from Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies this charming cabin is close to all the shopping, dining, and attractions in Gatlinburg.
Access the cabin without steep mountain roads and enter from the level parking into a vaulted great room. The large kitchen with breakfast bar opens to a living area complete with sofa, loveseat, a stone/gas fireplace, LED TV and a game area with billiards table. Downstairs two King bedrooms each have their own attached bathrooms and access to the outside porch with steamy hot tub. The layout is perfect for both families and couples traveling together! Eat in or dine out – with OMG’s location, you don’t have to decide in advance – you can easily get the trails for the day.
Bear it All
Bear it All is a lovely 2-bedroom 2.5-bath cabin is conveniently located close to the parkway in Sevierville with no mountain roads – perfect for guests looking for an easy to access cabin or visiting for a motorcycle event. Outside, Bear it All has a spacious yard and woods surrounding the home on two sides. Entering into the foyer with 1/2 bath you can look across to the vaulted living room with stone fireplace and pool table. A well-equipped kitchen with breakfast bar and dinette offers indoor seating for 6 and the full length deck out back also has dining for 6 and a hot tub to enjoy. The king master bedroom has an attached bath with jacuzzi tub and upstairs the queen bedroom has a private bath and outdoor patio.
Hickernut Lodge
Hickernut Lodge – aside from being a really fun name to say, is the perfect 5-bed, 5-bath cabin for a fantastic vacation.
With 4 king suites with attached baths, and a bunk room with private bath, these are luxury accommodations for up to 18 people. This 3-level cabin has hardwood floors throughout and offers guests plenty of room to spread out.
Outside you can soak in the hot tub, grill out dinner, or just take in the mountains from one of the huge porches on each level. Inside, enjoy the three living areas, billiards, foosball and air hockey tables, and a new THEATER ROOM w/ 55″ LCD TV. So when you aren’t cruising on the trails, there is so much to do in your cabin – and so much relaxing.
Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal offers the royal treatment for your trip to the Smokies. This custom log cabin is constructed of 200-year-old fir trees for a unique finish. Located in a completely private setting just outside Pigeon Forge, but all the trails, dining, shows, and attractions of Pigeon Forge are just a short drive away.
Enter from the home on two levels from the flat parking areas and enjoy the wrap around decks with porch swing, hot tub, picnic table, and view! Inside the two king master suites, each with a jacuzzi tub are fit for royalty. Watch your favorite movie in the vaulted living room with stone fireplace or prepare your favorite meal in the custom kitchen. Downstairs a movie room with 55″ LCD, 3rd Queen bedroom, and huge game room give guests plenty of room to spread out.
Cabin Fever
Cabin Fever offers an escape to the Smokies with an incredible four-bedroom three- bath cabin located just outside Pigeon Forge. In the peaceful Nichoa log-cabin community, Cabin Fever rests on a large one-acre, landscaped yard. Three king bedrooms, a fourth bedroom with two queen beds, and a sleeper sofa make room for up to 12 guest.! Enter from the full-length wrap-round porch into the vaulted open concept living area with stone/gas fireplace, and custom pine kitchen. Downstairs the oversized game room includes a HUGE 70″ LED TV, pool table, and dart board. There’s so much to do at the cabin you may never want to leave. A full kitchen, outdoor grill, & picnic table make dining-in part of the fun.
Oh the View
If you can pull yourself away from the panorama long enough to head inside, you’ll see this three-bedroom, three-bathroom, three-story cabin has plenty of space for your family to spread out after a long or short ride in the mountains.
A fully equipped kitchen, gas fireplace, and 55-inch LED TV in the living room await guests on the first floor. Upstairs, vaulted ceilings, comfy bedrooms with 45-inch LED tv’s, and another deck are there so you can take in that incredible mountain view. Grill up a delicious supper on the gas grill at the end of the day. Check out Oh The View over on our website!
Even More Cabins!
Give American Patriot Getaways a call at 800-204-5169. Let our experts help you find the right cabin and all the right fun, food and entertainment for your bike cruising and relaxing.
For more adventures, go to our Smoky Mountain Travel Guide
Check out all our vacation guides, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
