The Smoky Mountains are one of the best motorcycle touring destinations in the eastern United States. Between the Tail of the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, Foothills Parkway, Back of the Dragon, and Devils Triangle, this region gives riders a mix of technical roads, scenic sweepers, mountain overlooks, and memorable roadside stops.
We used the Smoky Mountain H.O.G. Rally as our home base, but the ride quickly expanded into a longer trip through Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. What started as a rally trip turned into one of those motorcycle weeks where every day delivered something different—rain, wildlife, scenic overlooks, historic stops, and a few roads that deserve their reputation.
Over the course of the trip, we rode the Back of the Dragon, the Tail of the Dragon, the Cherohala Skyway, and the Devils Triangle, with the Foothills Parkway adding one of the prettiest scenic sections of the entire week. If you are planning a Tennessee motorcycle trip and want a mix of technical riding and scenery, this part of the country makes a convincing case for itself.
Trip highlights
The full trip included a wet ride through West Virginia coal country, a stop at the Back of the Dragon, time at the rally, a scenic run on the Foothills Parkway, a guided ride to Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary and the Devils Triangle, and a final day riding the Tail of the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway.
Why this trip worked so well
Part of what made this ride so satisfying was the range of experiences packed into one week. One day gave us wet roads and coal-country scenery on the way to Virginia. Another day brought rally crowds, wildlife sightings, and a laid-back run on the Foothills Parkway. Then came the prison stop and the rougher personality of the Devils Triangle, followed by the classic pairing of the Tail of the Dragon and the Cherohala Skyway. The variety kept the trip from ever feeling repetitive.
Why the Smoky Mountains stay on the motorcycle bucket list
What makes this part of Tennessee so appealing is the variety. You can spend one day attacking technical corners on US 129, another riding broad scenic sweepers on the Cherohala Skyway, and another exploring overlooked routes like the Devils Triangle. That mix is exactly why the Smoky Mountains continue to earn a place on so many motorcycle bucket lists.
That variety is what keeps pulling riders back to the Smoky Mountains. You can build a trip around famous roads, quieter scenic parkways, quirky roadside stops, or rally events and still come home feeling like you only scratched the surface. For us, this ride had the right balance of challenge, scenery, and stories that get better every time you tell them.
Over the next few days, I will be posting about each day of our trip.
Day 1 – Back of the Dragon Day 2 – A prison and the Devil
Day 3 – Another Dragon and a Skyway
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