CSevenGS

I've been 6 times in 2 GT500s and it was awesome, especially coming down going very hard at it. With how well the GS handles compared to that car, I can only imagine it would be that much better. You'll have a lot of fun. There is a cool store to stop at, lots of memorabilia.

TLGunman

Wayah road to hwy 64, and back on 28 is a good drive too. Lunch at River's End in Nantahala too.

Cobra_4

Some of this might have been said, being lazy and didn't read, but I've been dozens of times, ran a couple of charity runs there and a couple of car club events, so I'll give my opinions and advice.



When I first went in my 70 Challenger some ten years ago, you could have fun, push it hard, never worry about cops. It's not like that anymore. Be careful, go to tailofthedragon.com, study the radar maps, the cops are predictable, they sit in the same places.

Go during the week, but that doesn't mean you won't get a ticket. My buddy got busted in his Mustang on the way to my house five days before Christmas, dead of winter, on a Thursday by the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

Be sure and take in Killboy's store and the tree of shame across the street.

Honestly, the dragon is the attraction, but here are much better roads.

The Cherohola Skyway is epic, very little leo enforcement, very little traffic. A few years ago I ran it in my old Z06 with my buddy behind me in his 03 Cobra and we probably averaged 60 mph or so, plenty of almost triple digit pulls, but be careful, it will bite you too.

The Foothills parkway(at the end of the dragon, tenn side) is awesome, runs you basically into Pigeon Forge, it has one of the prettiest views of Knoxville and the west I've ever saw.

28 on the otherside of the dragon is a great road too. Someone mentioned the Wayah road, that's a great run. Just get out and explore, plenty of info online as I mentioned above. As far as place to stay, Fontana Village, fontana village, fontana village. Period. End of story.

PSU 98

I've been there twice in 'Vettes and would really like to make it there again soon. I saw the NCM recently but organized a trip there but I'll pass on the $2,000 fee. Cherohola Skyway was also an excellent drive. Love that whole area of the Smokies actually, great cruising and scenery.

ceastham1

Cherohola Skyway is a must drive event !!!

08velocity

pretty much what everyone has posted is all right on the money, been 3 times and it's great

dr_gallup

Might try to get there Thursday before Easter.

emptnest

Agreed! I like it better than the dragon. Less traffic and better views.

69L46

Besides the Cherohala and the Dragon, the ride below is worth checking into if you're planning on being in the area:

The Gauntlet Georgia mountains

speed4tu

Been to it a few times. Mostly back around in early 2000's with my Honda S2000. There were nearly no cops, basically a state maintained track. You will see all kinds of nice rides while up there. Like stated there are several other roads around just as good and better without all the dragon onlookers.

Capt. Shark

For my money, Cherohala wins hands down over the dragon. Prettier scenery, not near as many organ donors on zoom splats or Mr. Magoo towing his 30' RV. Side trips also, one with a waterfall.

Wait, I don't the word to get out. Go to the dragon

Atomic6

Oh yes, the Bald River Falls. A wonderful side trip right off the Skyway itself. If you go during the week, it is usually quiet enough to park right on the bridge and take a photo with the falls in the background. When we had our '95 911 that's exactly what we did.
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Capt. Shark

No no no Cherohala bad dragon good.....do NOT drive the Cherohala

kitesurfer

drove the cherocola and the gap last weekend. But the 'funnest' was 28 (chatooga ridge rd} from south Carolina up to 74 in NC

Monkey D. Luffy

http://tailofthedragonmaps.com/

I was there 3 weeks ago and had a good time.

Like many have said best time to drive the tail is a week day or very early Saturday or Sunday morning. Middle of the day Saturday and Sunday the tail is covered up with cruiser bikes going about 25 mph.

Fontana Village Resort is a good place to stay, however I stay at the Microtel inn in Robbinsville. The Village is nicer but more expensive than the Microtel also there are more places to eat in Robbinsville and there is a Shell gas station with 93 octane

There's a couple of fast food places in Robbinsville and a couple of small town restaurants. Lynn's place is just ok (IMHO), but the El Pacifico Mexican restaurant has pretty good Mexican food for being in a small town in the middle of no where.

As always drive safe, stay on your side of the double yellow and have a great time

ronkh57

sgtskid

The Dragon is an awesome road and the surrounding roads are icing on the cake. I am very lucky/blessed to live so close. My favorite loop starts in Maryville and heads up 321 towards Wears Valley, cut across the Foothills Parkway and stop at the overlooks and then take a quick hike up to Look Rock Tower (old fire tower) for a 360 view of the area. At the bottom of the Parkway hang a left (onto 129) and heads toward "The Dragon" which officially starts at a bridge just after the lakes. After driving the road stop by the Tail of the Dragon store on the right for some swag and head down 129 further and grab lunch/dinner at Tapoco Lodge. From there, follow signs to Joyce Kilmer where there are a few nice swimming holes to cool off and a few short hikes with some massive trees (Magnolias?). From Joyce Kilmer cut across the Cherohala Skyway which also has some nice views, hikes, and pull offs. The Skyway will "end" in Tellico where you can then turn right and head towards back to civilization. The folks at the Tail of the Dragon Store (Darryl 'Killboy', Carla, Michelle ) are all super friendly and will guide you in any direction you'd like.

Robbinsville has some good grub (The Hub, El Pacifico) and if you want to see the largest dam this side of the Mississippi head towards Fontana.


The two biggest rules to remember:

1. Stay in your lane.....seriously...otherwise you end up on the "highlight" reel for all to ridicule. Worse, you hit or kill someone.
2. Use the pull offs. There are over 100, paved, level, pull offs. All types of auto/bike enthusiasts come to enjoy the road and using the pull offs keeps everyone happy.

Bonus tip: Drive within your limits and don't let the ego get the better of you. Someone faster will inevitably catch you, don't think you have to outrun them. Let them by.

Bonus tip #2: Re-read rule #1!!!

Rubiland

I was up there about 10 years ago on my bike and a truck was going too fast and came into my lane. Needless to say, I left parts on the tree of shame that day.

Just got the Vette, a ride up that way is in my future, for sure.

aerobaticflyer

I'm going the week of 8/14 to escape the Florida heat / humidity. Should be a hoot!

08velocity

We will be there the week before , and just like you said "got to get out of this Fl hot