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06-23-2018, 03:09 PM
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#1
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11,069
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Tail of the dragon
My DH is involved in a sports car group in NC. They are looking to drive Tail of the Dragon in August. Looking for a campground on the NC side that can fit a 40 ft fifth wheel and has a minimum of 30 amp electric hook up. We can handle using freshwater tanks etc but 30 or 50 amp is a must for us. Thanks.
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2014 Crew Cab Chevy Silverado 3500 4wd Duramax/Allison
2014 Sabre 34REQS-6
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06-23-2018, 04:08 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Posts: 9,230
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I have heard of that. What area is it in? We are going to Maggie Valley next month.
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2012 SunSeeker 3100SS Toad-1962 Futura Average 100 + days camping
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06-23-2018, 04:11 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Kalamazoo
Posts: 2,139
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North East of Chatannoga TN. Stopped on my way to Daytona bike week 2 years ago to ride the dragon but did not camp. If you have a large rig I would not get to far off the beaten path. Gets pretty tight in areas up in the mountains.
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06-23-2018, 04:13 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Posts: 9,230
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I will have to check that out. Sounds like fur in a Street Rod!
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2012 SunSeeker 3100SS Toad-1962 Futura Average 100 + days camping
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06-23-2018, 04:44 PM
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#5
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Citrus County, Fl.
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hernando, Fl
Posts: 2,368
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Big Bears Campground in Bryson City is close to 129. Nice campground with full hookups. No bath house or other amenities. A friend of mine takes his 43' Tiffin and an enclosed car trailer so there is plenty of room.
If you are taking the DD you may want to try Deep Creek Tubing Center Campground across the street.
https://sites.google.com/site/bigbearsrvpark/
https://www.deepcreekcamping.com/
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 2016 Forester 3011DS
2017 Toyota Corolla SE toad
PREVIOUS: 2015 Flagstaff 832IKBS
99 Terry 31G
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06-23-2018, 05:13 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: North Georgia
Posts: 2,952
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The Cherokee / Great Smokies KOA is a very nice place.... And rafting, or tubing, on the Nantahala River is a lot of fun. Just be aware the Nantahala river stays pretty darn cold year around... 
Regarding the "Dragon": I've "slayed" the "Dragon" several times over the years in both sports car club events, just passing through, and on a motorcycle. It is close enough for me to do as a day trip. Some things to be very aware of are:
First, is the "Dragon" is a very high enforcement area and I suspect the local agencies make a lot of money on it and the nearby roads. 
Second, there are constantly folks crossing the center line when they go in to a corner too hot. And some of those folks are in big trucks and SUV's. And there are a lot of limited sight corners when all the foliage is in season so be very careful...
Third, if you do make a mistake it is very expensive to have your car retrieved on that road. A co-worker sent his Miata down an embankment and found out his Roadside Assistance wouldn't fully cover the cost of retrieving it from "off road".
A ride / drive that is actually a bit nicer, but less challenging, is the Cherohala Skyway. It has less traffic, less enforcement, and is generally more scenic. We always try to do it either going in or out of the area.
See Here for a webpage with maps of most of the nice drives in the area.
Don't forget to get a photo from one of the professional who are scattered along the "Dragon". The one below is from when I ran it in our Ford Flex... The sound of the ice sloshing around in our big Coleman cooler was driving my DW crazy on that run... 
 Tail Of The Dragon 9-19-13 3
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Wayne
2024 Sunseeker 2150SLEF / Ford E-350 Off-line 15 April 2024.
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06-23-2018, 05:17 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Deland, Florida
Posts: 354
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Riding the Dragon on the motorcycle once was enough for the wife and I. Two many crazy people out there.
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Rockwood 2604WS
Ford F250 Diesel
Blue Ox Sway Pro
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06-23-2018, 05:25 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Posts: 9,230
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I autocross my coup and love the twisties. Fun going up and down through the gears without speeding. Fooled a couple sport cars doing that.
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2012 SunSeeker 3100SS Toad-1962 Futura Average 100 + days camping
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06-23-2018, 05:30 PM
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#9
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Kanadian Kamper
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Southern Ontario
Posts: 8,170
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Tail of the dragon is 318 curves in 11 Miles.
No matter who you are, no matter your experience level, and no matter what kind of RV you have....don’t drive it or tow it.
CAMP SOMEWHERE!!!
There’s all kinds of campgrounds in the area.
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Ken and Terry
2018 Sunseeker 2430S-CD, nicely modified and carried by a 2017 Ford E450 Sport
Former Georgetown 330TS owner for 10 years with more mods than I can count, pushed by our 2017 GMC Terrain
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06-23-2018, 05:31 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Saint Paul, MN
Posts: 1,274
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The wife and I just came from there, we stayed on the TN side so I can't help you with the campgrounds in NC.
We had a blast on the motorcycles but the Dragon is just 'OK' compared to other roads in the area with higher speed limits and less ding dongs...
Be safe and have fun.
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24 Ram 3500 CC/SRW/LB/50 gal tank/CTD
2024 XLR 31A LE
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06-23-2018, 05:33 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 329
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I have heard from locals that people get killed on the tail every year. Especially bikers who lose control. In the fall its especially a problem with wet leaves on the road.
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2020 F250, 7.3 gas, 34 ft. Fifth Wheel, SOB
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06-23-2018, 06:26 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 3,188
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Do the dragon on a weekday if possible. It is a zoo up there on weekends.
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Tom & Renée
Durham, NC
2021 Jayco Class C model 27U
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06-23-2018, 06:33 PM
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#13
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11,069
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Thanks... DH will be driving his camaro on the dragon. The truck and 5er will stay at the campground. I may be crazy but I am certainly not insane.  I will check out the links.
Deuce check out: tailofthedragon.com/
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2014 Crew Cab Chevy Silverado 3500 4wd Duramax/Allison
2014 Sabre 34REQS-6
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06-23-2018, 06:46 PM
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#14
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Georgia Rally Coordinator
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: GA
Posts: 24,467
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I've driven part of it in my Dodge Charger but during the week. Not bad then. Later RJD
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2020 Shasta Phoenix SPF 27RKSS (sold)
2018 Dodge Ram 2500 6.4 3:73 gearing.(sold) (sold) 2015 Chevy 2500 6.0, 4:10
Traded 2015 30WRLIKS V-Lite
Days camped 2019 62
Days camped 2020 49 days camped 2021-74 2022-40 days 2023 5 days
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06-24-2018, 12:24 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 44
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Tail of the Dragon
Have you checked with Fontana Dam Resort they have a camping area across the street for big rigs not sure the amenities! Awesome place, highly recommend!
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06-24-2018, 12:28 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 1,645
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Indian Boundry is a great place to stay, and you get to drive the Cherohala Skyway to boot.
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/i...O&parkId=70494
https://cherohala.com/
Watch out for surprises around each corner...
http://www.killboy.com/#
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2019 Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS
2015 T12RBST Flagstaff Hardside
Disclaimer: The actual value of my "Two Cents" of advice varies just like a bitcoin.
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06-24-2018, 12:32 PM
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#17
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11,069
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Thanks. Will check them out too.
__________________
2014 Crew Cab Chevy Silverado 3500 4wd Duramax/Allison
2014 Sabre 34REQS-6
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06-24-2018, 12:57 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: LaGrange,Ga
Posts: 315
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Beware... it’s not to be challenged, but to enjoy a nice easy drive or ride.. however you’ll run across idiots that think otherwise, it’s not a race track.. watch out for peddle bikes.. an you will encounter ambulances coming an going to scrap up the dummies ... 318 curves in 11 miles. Last time I was there a bear cub walked across road in front of me.. pretty cool
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06-24-2018, 01:18 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Posts: 9,230
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Thanks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by asquared
Thanks... DH will be driving his camaro on the dragon. The truck and 5er will stay at the campground. I may be crazy but I am certainly not insane. I will check out the links.
Deuce check out: tailofthedragon.com/ |
__________________
2012 SunSeeker 3100SS Toad-1962 Futura Average 100 + days camping
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06-24-2018, 01:47 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 438
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If staying on the Tennessee side of the dragon, big meadows in Townsend has good level sites with fhu for around $50 per nite
__________________
Sandy and Steve
Chooie, Baby, Grizzly, Sophie the 4 fur babies
2018 Rockwood 8301WS fiver
2003 Ford F-250 super duty diesel
Vinemont, AL
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