This will be my 3rd dragon. At the first, I went on group drives and had a ball. I took my wife to the 2nd. Dragon and we didn't go on any group drives...we explored on our own and had a ball. We are going to the Dragon this year and I am asking if any Dragon locals can post roads that are 'worthy' of a drive, but not popular. My wife and I are both incapable of walking long distances (like over a block) alnd we both like waterfalls, so that would be a plus. As always, TIA for any information....
Goldsmithy there are several waterfalls that you can see from your car or only walk a very short distance to get to. The first one Bald River Falls is off of the Chocoholic Skyway near Tellico plains. Good lunch spot in town is the Town Square Cafe & Bakery. https://www.google.com/maps/@35.3379063,-84.1823912,13.78z Going to the east toward Highlands you'll see 4 nice waterfalls on US 64. The first is Bust Your Butt Falls, then Dry Falls, Bridal Veil Falls You can drive your car under the falls! Last is Sequoyah Falls. You will return to the dragon the way you came so if you miss a waterfall you can catch it on the way back. Continue to Highlands for shopping & sightseeing. Just as before Highlands is a very good BBQ place. https://www.google.com/maps/@35.0770234,-83.2467585,15.08z Your plan not to go in group drives is a good one. My take is going with one or two other cars is great. More than that & it starts becoming a chore. Enjoy your trip, wish I was going.
All of the roads down there are great. The Dragon is far from the best of them. Google maps is a wonderful resource for finding new & interesting roads. I used to rely on loads of paper maps, but Google maps have replaced them.
The Cherahola Skyway is a hoot. Broad sweeping turns, beautiful vistas. Lots of turnouts to take in the view.
I second all of the above comments. My favorite stretch of road is the stretch of 28/64 from about 10 miles S of Franklin past Dry Falls and Bridal Veil Falls to Highlands. It is both twistier and narrower than the dragon. If you can catch it without someone if front of you it is superb. I lead a Thursday afternoon/evening run down to the falls and Highlands for dinner and just love to hit that stretch of road.
I second Nate's post about the Cherahola. My favorite road, though don't drive it in rainy or foggy weather, obviously. Fog can be pea soup with zero viz. However, on a clear day, you can see 30 miles across the mtns. Been doing the Dragon since '03, and only missed one. Probably still haven't driven all the roads down there yet.
Wayah Road to Franklin is really nice. It's very curvey and hugs a rapid flowing river for a lot of the time. You can take in Lakes End restaurant along the way or stop at Cafe Rel in Franklin. Lake's End is more pituresque. Once in Franklin you can take NC 28 back to Fontana.
if you are looking for an all day trip, you can take 441 thru the Smoky National Park into Gatlinburg and then the Foothills Pkwy / Dragon back to Fontana too. 441 also hugs a beautiful river....it you haven't noitced, I like roads that hugs a river
Here's a few full-day drives that our group has taken during a couple of autumn trips to the region. 1. TN-32 and the Rattler 2. EIM Waterfall Loop #1 3. EIM Waterfall Loop #2 TN-32 and The Rattler are quite twisty and worth the time. (TN-32 turns to gravel at the border so you have to turn around and re-trace your route...but you'll look forward to it. :devil: ) Regarding the Waterfall Loop #1 route, plan to make a stop at Sliding Rock Falls (aka, Bust your Butt Falls). Here's a snap of two of our motorists after sliding down the falls and dropping into the pool of 45 degree water at the bottom... As you can tell from the maps, our base of operations was a condo in Sevierville. ---
Here's another one if you get a hankering for the Blue Ridge Parkway on a clear day... 4. EIM GSMNP and the BRP I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the restaurant at the Pisgah Inn at Mile Post 408. A great stopping place for lunch.