Tail of the Dragon Camping question

[Kimswang]

Anyone have any sites near the tail of the dragon that they can highly recommend? I looked at staying at a place called Tumbling Waters (http://www.tumblingwaters.com/). Looks cool and I like the idea of a stocked trout pond in the camp, but a recomendation from here would be cool too.

[CheesyRider]

iron Horse Camp
there are a few Moto only campgrounds there

[JohnDelivers]

Hunt's Lodge, obviously.P^ Motocampers are heading there again this year, for three in a row. About an hour fifteen from Deal's Gap. Plenty of great roads to ride.
http://huntslodge.com/

[BeemMeUp]

You can camp at Deals Gap for about $12 a night. They also have a motel. Don't miss the Tree of Shame.

[kdf9511]

Just a little be further away is the Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground. Makes a nice day to go down and run the Dragon from there.

[lytle1gw]

heres a list of 2 wheel camps :

http://2wheelscamp.com/
http://www.bikercamps.com/

[Millsaps2]

http://www.ironhorsenc.com/index.html

The Iron Horse is the best camping in the area. Nice shaded campsites, cabins, dinning hall, good on site meals for breakfeast and dinner. Clean shower house and tv room with computer. They also have limited sites for travel trailers.

[Dusty Boots]

Of the two 'Serious Contenders' in the area, (Hunt's and Blue Ridge MC) I'd have to go with the BRMC, for a better setting/lay out. P^

While Hunt's (http://www.huntslodge.com/home.html)has everything included with the price, the camping area (http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7175/6786089857_a557d2d900_b.jpg)leaves a bit to be desired, as you are mainly limited to the 'front lawn' (http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=35.347771,-84.307841&hl=en&ll=35.347865,-84.307245&spn=0.001273,0.002642&sll=35.347924,-84.308285&sspn=0.001273,0.002642&doflg=ptm&mra=mift&mrsp=0&sz=19&t=h&z=19), close to the highway and downhill from the showerhouse/social pavilion (http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7026/6786090175_5facfaefd8_b.jpg) area and has a rather steep coarse gravel drive/parking area that's tricky to handle a fully loaded touring rig around on, especially by the front office.

On the other hand, the BRMC (http://www.blueridgemotorcyclecamp.com/#) has a much better layout for the tent camper (http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7020/6490058941_d45916830d_o.jpg)and although it has all the amenities as Hunt's, some will cost you (laundry, ice etc) BRMC is not located by a busy highway (http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=35.40481,-82.81093&hl=en&ll=35.404364,-82.811594&spn=0.00509,0.010568&sll=35.404062,-82.810671&sspn=0.002545,0.005284&doflg=ptm&mra=mift&mrsp=0&sz=18&t=h&z=17), has a central firepit that promotes camaraderie at night and an indoor 'social room' that includes reading and mapping resources, as well as TV, for weather reports. They also have an onsite cook house that provides meals for a fee, during the summer, or high occupancy periods.

Both have excellent riding roads within a day's ride, but I think that the BRMC, has a slight edge in that depatartment, IMHO.

Either one is a great place to pitch a tent and for the price, you can't loose.

Dusty

[Ironheadziggy76]

Hunt's Lodge, obviously.P^ Motocampers are heading there again this year, for three in a row. About an hour fifteen from Deal's Gap. Plenty of great roads to ride.
http://huntslodge.com/

+1

I haven't stayed at the other places, but Jack and Lori treat you like family, and take care of your every need. They are great folks, and that's what will keep me going back!

[Mr Cujo]

'Nuther vote for Iron Horse.
I've stayed there and the place is truly top shelf.
Very well laid out, cool brook running thru the campground, a lodge that is supremely well equipped, Saturday night movie night on a HUGE cinema screen, central fire pit, BYOB, gourmet food, and amazingly well priced.
A note from Mrs. Cujo adds that the bathrooms are clean and the bath water is hot...Very important things for the feminine type motocamper...

Spacious tent slots well framed and equipped. Camper slots are level and out front. Bunkhouse style cabins, private hotel style rooms, and private cabins are also on the list...

I'd stay there again in a heartbeat.


.

[Kimswang]

Thanks for all good advice. I will head up there as soon as I get a few days off and want to plan it so that the plan is ready to be executed on short notice. I am surprized nobody has camped at Tumbling Waters (http://www.tumblingwaters.com/) as that campground seem to be closer to the gap and is advertizing all kinds of facilities, including stocked trout lake. How early is it adviceable to go without experiencing frost at night?

[aysrav]

I've stayed at all three of the moto campgrounds mentioned. They each seem to have their advantages but you can't go wrong with any of them.
Kinda curious to hear your report on Tumbling Waters. I've thought about staying there too. So if you stay there, let us know! :)

[snowclem]

Hunts is plenty close enough to the Dragon and it's on one end of BRP. There are so many good riding roads there that if you are truly a rider, then once you've been there, done that, you'll ride the other roads that are around. Less traffic+higher speed limits+less leo's=more fun.

Richard

[quadancer]

I dunno. Tumbling Waters sounds a bit on the manicured side, $18/nite for tents then charging for firewood. Still may check it out next time we're in the area tho.
Iron Horse is definitely pricey, but on a 3 day, you can skip showers.
I like Deep Hole, but with only 8 sites, it's often full by thurs. nite. (rt 60, Ga.)
It may depend on which direction you come in from, but an outbound site an hour away? That opens up a few more possibilities.

[GroundHog]

Don't forget Mo at Kickstand...

http://www.kickstandlodge.com/

[kaitiff]

I gotta throw a vote in for MO at the kickstand lodge too. It's a unique place, and Mo makes everyone feel like family. She might even have you cooking or doing some dishes while you're there! :) HEY MO!