5 Western North Carolina Attractions
5 Western North Carolina Attractions[/caption]Some of the top attractions in the Western part of North Carolina are just a quick drive from the scenic beauty of Stecoah Valley RV Resort. This proximity makes Stecoah Valley an ideal location a fun filled excursion in Western North Carolina.
Five Top Smoky Mountain Attractions
#1. Tail of The Dragon: The Tail of The Dragon is a mountain pass along the North Carolina–Tennessee state line, bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and near the Little Tennessee River. The area is popular with motorcycle enthusiasts, who cross the gap into Tennessee to drive along the “The Dragon”; famous for its 318 curves in 11 miles (18 km). [learn more...]
#2. Biltmore House and Gardens: George Vanderbilt’s 250-room mansion (pictured above) is virtually the same as it was at the turn of the 20th century. Sculptures, paintings, furnishing, and household items have been carefully preserved. Tour the gardens and the winery, and enjoy a sumptuous three-course meal or a sandwich in one of several restaurants. [learn more...]
#3. Cades Cove: An 11-mile, one-way loop road circles the cove, offering motorists the opportunity to sightsee at a leisurely pace. Scattered along the road are about a dozen restored structures. Pick up the self-guiding tour booklet at the entrance. White-tailed deer, black bears, coyotes, turkey and other wildlife are often spotted in the valley. Allow at least two to four hours to tour Cades Cove, longer if you walk some of the area's trails. Traffic is heavy during the tourist season in summer and fall and on weekends year-round. [learn more...]
#4. Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge: These two towns, just five miles apart, serve as the principal Tennessee gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and host most of the Park's nine million annual visitors. The busy tourist center offers a many attractions including Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum, the Ripley's Aquarium and Dollywood.
#5. Sliding Rock: Slide down Mother Nature's 60-foot smooth rock water slide and plunge into a pool of cool water at the bottom. This is a Forest Service Recreation area with lifeguards and staff on duty from Memorial Day week end through Labor Day. There is a small fee and parking is limited. Near the Cradle of Forestry. [learn more...]
About Stecoah RV Resort
Welcome to Stecoah Valley RV Resort, a western North Carolina RV resort and one of the last destinations for true unspoiled natural beauty! Stecoah Valley RV Resort is nestled in the majestic Smoky Mountains of Graham County in western North Carolina close to Deals Gap and The Tail of The Dragon.
What is the Tail of The Dragon?
[caption id="attachment_368" align="alignnone" width="902"]
Tail of the Dragon - Stecoah Valley RV[/caption]What is the Tail of The Dragon?
The Tail of The Dragon is a mountain pass along the North Carolina–Tennessee state line, bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and near the Little Tennessee River. The area is popular with motorcycle enthusiasts, who cross the gap into Tennessee to drive along the "The Dragon"; famous for its 318 curves in 11 miles (18 km).
Motorcycle Enthusiasts Haven
With it’s breathtaking scenery and challenging twisting roadway, the stretch of US129 known as the Tail of the Dragon is world renown as one of the most popular places to ride for motorcycle and road enthusiasts, as it is located along a stretch of two-lane road known since 1981 as "The Dragon". The Dragon for most begins in North Carolina at Fugitive Bridge with a view of the Cheoah Dam and ends 14 miles across the mountain at the Tabcat Creek Bridge in Tennessee.
Crossroads of Time and Deals Gap
On one end of the trail is the Slide, a steep series of S curves which will push your riding abilities in an exhilarating way. The road then give riders a brief reprieve and levels and straightens until breaking into another stretch of curves. After this stretch riders come across popular hangout for road enthusiasts call the Crossroads of Time. Next comes Deals Gap and the Tennessee State Line. All in all the main thing riders will remember will be a white knuckled ride bouncing them curve after curve and giving them the ride of their lives.
Year Round Motorcycle Riding
The Tail of the Dragon can be ridden year round with different experiences to be had with each season. Wildlife such as bear and dear can be spotted almost year round. The winter months (October – April) make for a beautiful but more challenging roadway that is definitely not for the weak of heart! Snow and ice can come as early as Halloween, but when riding conditions allow, the winter months can be some of the most beautiful to ride.
The beginning of spring (April – May) can be some of the best times to ride as the roads are clear of their winter hazards and the traffic is still relatively low. The summer months bring many tourists the area giving the Tail of the Dragon the new added hazard of heavier traffic. It is highly recommended to take the Tail at different times of the year as it will provide a different experience each and every time. Also, every week on the Tail is a different featured event guaranteed to provide something for everyone!
More Information: www.TailoftheDragon.com provides maps, weather, accommodation information, road information, photos and more.
Other Websites of Interest: www.SmokyMountains.org, www.GrahamCountyTravel.com, www.Killboy.com, www.wheelsthroughtime.com
About Stecoah RV Resort
Welcome to Stecoah Valley RV Resort, a western North Carolina RV resort and one of the last destinations for true unspoiled natural beauty! Stecoah Valley RV Resort is nestled in the majestic Smoky Mountains of Graham County in western North Carolina close to Deals Gap and The Tail of The Dragon.