Tossing up new options, since the second trip is sorta up in the air right now .....
Robbinsville is very close by the Dragon and it has cabins and tenting. It is where we used to go to eat dinner when we got tired of Dragonburgers .....
http://thesimplelifecampground.comAs you look at these things realize that Blue Ridge or the Dragon Lodge charges you $15 a night to tent, so these guys can get you a roof and a bed for a few bucks less a night if you split a "right sized" cabin. Right sized means you know how many are coming and pick the cabin accordingly.
BIGDAWG
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx3SGDr0lQY That's $15 a night per person instead of $22 a night at Blue Ridge CampgroundFISHINGHOLE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hqkgpg4WNws That's $11 a night per person instead of $22 a night at Blue Ridge CampgroundROOSTERPEN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TQmoZzIcPEI think the Fishing Hole holds 6 people at the best price, but it has no bathroom and no frills.
Then there is the luxurious BigDawg holding 7 plus enough space on the deck for a pop up 2 man tent. Since we don't cook, we really don't need the kitchen, though the full bathroom and shower is neat and would be
very appreciated. The private deck is nice too.
What I find interesting is that the Bigdawg can be rented by four people and it will cost the same as a cabin split 2 ways at Blue Ridge campground. This means you can underfill the Bigdawg and still have the same price that you are used to paying. This gives you flexibility, lower cost and a shower and a bathroom.
Next, tenting at Simplelife is $14 a night for TWO PEOPLE with additional people being only $7 each. You pay $22 for two at Blue Ridge.Lastly, you are staying in the heart of the NC mountain motorcycling world, where the cops aren't chasing you as you come and go all the time.Dragon Lodge is more expensive and somewhat more dangerous as them Tennessee troopers will flat spoil your week if you aren't careful.
If you are going to Cherohala and the Dragon repeatedly, Blue Ridge is simply too far away.
This place is worth checking out in any case for future trips at a lower cost, less distance basis. The campground is about 3 years old now and is still growing and developing.
Trip Advisor likes it a lot ....
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g49483-d2708061-Reviews-Simple_Life_C...See what the real bikers had to say about the place just this current season. Or else maybe TripAdvisor just got gamed by a flood of "intentional staged" comments -- who knows? Until one of us goes by or stays there, no real knowledge will be had.
This video was from a while ago, certainly before some of the cabins were put into place. I think the road may have been improved since then as well --- still, it gives you a perspective of The Vertical Campground Experience ....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcMCxb8JrOw ..... it is a YouTube, click on it then turn your volume WAY up if you want to hear the comments.