j p o wrote:

If you have a 4 wheel drive pick up/SUV with good clearance there is a road that goes from Cable Mill visitors center down to the tail of the dragon. Very cool drive.

Have you ever been to Dollywood or the GSMNP??? On weekends, this area can be HORRIBLE with the mass of people. Cars can be backed up for miles trying to get in to Dollywood, or to go thru Pigeon Forge to get to Gatlinburg and the park entrance. The weekdays are not as bad.

One of my favorite places to visit is Cade's Cove, a loop drive in the park. It is ten miles long, I believe, but so beautiful. On weekends, unless you get there really early, the line of cars waiting to get in to the Cade's Cove entrance can stretch for miles down the road. Again, it's awful. Sometimes, I'll park my car in one of the side parking areas, before the entrance, and then run the loop. You see so much more that way. One time, my family dropped me off so I could run, and they drove the loop. They were stuck in traffic so I beat them around the ten mile loop. I saw three bears while running and they did not see any (being stuck in traffic)

Do yourself a favor and avoid downtown Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville.

You'll be better off walking (and cycling) and relaxing in the national park: Cades Cove, multiple trails & rivers at Elkmont campground, horseback riding, Newfound Gap, Clingman's Dome, Chimney Tops trail, Laurel Falls trail, Alum Caves Bluff trail, Mount LaConte trail... then over to Catalahoochee (sp?) campground & Mt Cammerer trail. There's a bear/animal rescue place near Elkmont that we haven't been to yet, but sounds cool. So much to do.

Get a cooler & pack lunch/dinner. Head up into the mountains & explore, eat, & chill.

Regarding the fires from a few years ago: You can still see some burned trees, but most of the vegetation has grown back & it's nice & green now.

Agreed. It could be Branson or Destin. Just a bunch of clutter. I also did not enjoy Dollywood.

You have something very wrong there.

Tail of the dragon is a well paved road that Motorcyclist and driving enthusiast like to drive. No need for good clearance.

https://tailofthedragon.com/

Only thing wrong is your reading comprehension. :)

The road comes out on the tail of the dragon, about halfway through.

never been fishing but since it's stocked I figure I'll catch something...

Anything else to do in the area?

Apply for a man card, maybe?

Never mind. It'll be denied anyway.

At what point have I ever indicated that fishing or nature is something I do?