BUILT FOR RIDERS, BY RIDERS
Here's where we get to tell you about the neat stuff in this area and that we've run across on the world-wide-web. There is so much to do and see that we'll never be able to get all of it. We've tried to divide it up into different interests to make it easier to find what you want to see.
Restaurants
Local Shops
Favorite Routes
Motorcycle Attractions
Outdoor Activities
Please be patient - it will take some time to get all of the information on the site. If you know of something that should be added or see some information that is not correct, please drop an email to Lori to let her know.
One website to visit that can give you a wealth of information is the Tennessee Overhill site. It promotes businesses and attractions within the area, including scenic drives, places to go birdwatching and hiking, antique stores, local artisans, historic places, and museums.
Another place to start planning your trip here would be the Tennessee Department of Tourism. You can view the TN Vacation guide on line and visit their website to request one in writing.
It's always a good idea to keep your medical information updated and on you at all times in the event that something happens and you can't tell the people around you what your particular medical needs are. Critical Medical Information offers a service to do just that. This is a subscription based service that allows you to store your medical and legal information on line. You are given a zip drive with the info on it, and a canister with the info printed out so that medical personnel can get the information they need to begin treating you right away if needed. Hospitals can use the zip drive to get more in-depth information about your medical history.
Tellico Plains is just a mile away. With several restaurants, 3 gas stations, and local shops, almost all of your needs can be met right here in town. Restaurants range from fast food to upscale sit-down dining, and just about everything in between. Tellico Plains also has an interesting array of local arts and antiques.
Tellicafe Restaurant
Bank St, Tellico Plains
Home of the best steaks in town. The Tellicafe serves wonderful sit-down meals of all types. Tellico Trout, pasta, steaks, seafood, sandwiches, salads, homemade soups, and desserts so good, they're sinful. The staff is super friendly and always happy to see you. The Tellicafe is open from Tuesday - Sunday for lunch and dinner. Closed Mondays.
Lodge at Tellico Real Pit BB-Q
New Hwy 68, Tellico Plains
Located a little over a half-mile from the campground, the Tellico Lodge serves fresh pulled pork and smoked chicken. Mmmmm! Open for
Their hours and meals served vary by season.
Tellico Beach Drive-In
Cherohala Skyway
Tellico Plains, TN
In the mood for a footlong hotdog with chili and slaw? How about a fresh hamburger with all the fixin's? You can have that and more at the Tellico Beach Drive-In. Sitting right on the edge of the Tellico River, you can have a great variety of sandwiches, milkshakes, malts, and ice creams. Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.
Tellico Grains Bakery is a family-owned and operated artisan bakery, nestled in the foothills of the Tennessee Smoky Mountains. Stuart and Anissa Shull bring their educations, culinary expertise, and passions to life in the all natural handcrafted baked goods. One bite and you'll taste the love and dedication baked into every morsel. Their hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 8:00am - 4:00pm. Closed Sunday and Monday. They serve breakfast and lunch along with a wide variety of decadent baked delights.
Tellico Kats on the River
Cherohala Skyway, Tellico Plains
Tellico's newest deli sits on the river right next to the Tellico Beach Drive-In. They will make you a hot or cold sandwich that is guaranteed to fill the belly and impress the taste buds. Open until 7:00 Wednesday-Monday. Closed Tuesdays.
Town Square Cafe' & Bakery
Tellico Plains
If you're in the mood for some good ol' country cooking, this is the place to go. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the Town Square offers homestyle meals with good portions and good prices. 
Witherspoon's Hog Pit Canteen
Tellico Plains
Serving hamburgers, hot dogs, and genuine smoked pork and beef brisket.
Local Shops
Just a mile from the campground, Mike at Tellico Outfitters offers high-end motorcycle riding gear and accessories at reasonable prices.
Favorite Routes
These are some of our favorite rides, available for you to download and print. They are not in any particular order, and more are being developed, so check back often. Do you have a route you'd like to share? Email it to Lori at lori@huntslodge.com.
The Cherohala Skyway/Deal's Gap loop - by far, one of the most popular rides around. The loop is about 130 miles, easily ridable in a day, and takes you across the Cherohala Skyway and through the legendary Deal's Gap.
Two Wheels Only/Cherohala Skyway loop - If you'd rather avoid the Dragon, take a stroll down toe Two Wheels Only for a lunch run, and come back by way of the Cherohala Skyway.
Foothills Parkway/Smoky Mountains National Park/Cherohala Skyway loop - This is an all day ride, just a little over 200 miles. You will ride the Foothills Parkway, meander through the beautiful Smoky Mountains National Forest, and come home by way of the Cherohala Skyway.
Reliance/Cherokee National Forest/Ocoee Whitewater Center loop - are you looking for a shorter ride, away from the popularity of the Dragon and the Skyway? This 75 mile loop makes for a wonderful lazy afternoon ride, and it also takes you right by the Ocoee Whitewater Center, home of the 1996 Olympic Whitewater events. Lori's favorite!
Athens/Pikeville/Crossville/Spring City loop - This 200 mile loop was put together by your host, Jack, to show people there are many more wonderful roads to explore than just the ones that everybody talks about.
Motorcycle Attractions
The Cherohala Skyway is just outside our door step. This road is called the Mile High Legend and with good reason. It traces through 52 miles of mountains, from the valleys to the ridge tops, reaching elevations of 5,000 feet or more, taking you to Robbinsville, NC. It is absolutely beautiful no matter what time of year you go through it, but riders should remember that winter comes earlier and stays later on top of the mountain than it does where we're at.
also known as the Dragon, is on the other side of the Cherohala Skyway. The Dragon features 318 curves in an 11 mile span. Those who challenge the Dragon and win earn bragging rights, but beware, the Dragon has been known to bite on occasion...
The Tail of the Dragon website has information and links about all kinds of Dragon and Cherohala Skyway related things - news, places to shop, places to stay, maps, and other roads of interest in the area. It is a good resource for folks planning to visit this area.
All-American Transportation Museum in Maggie Valley, NC, is a pleasant ride across the Cherohala Skyway away. Inside, you will find a history of motorized transportation in the United States from beginning to present. The museum features mainly motorcycles from across the years, but has some interesting 4 wheeled vehicles, also. Many of the bikes and cars in the museum are in running condition, and it is not uncommon to see valid tags on them or find one that the owners have started up.
T.W.O. - Two Wheels Only - Suches, Georgia - The original motorcycle campground is only 50 miles or so from Hunt's Lodge as the crow flies, but the beauty of it is that there are no straight roads between here and there and you will get to travel through 75 miles of wonderful mountains and countryside. It would be easy to make T.W.O. your day-ride lunch stop, where you can enjoy one of Britt's famous burgers or other fare, browse through their interesting collection of motorcycle t-shirts and memorabilia, or just enjoy the hummingbirds that visit the porch. No trip to this part of the country is complete for a motorcyclist until they have visited T.W.O. Just remember, nobody is allowed in unless they are on or are towing motorcycles.
Cherohala Cycle Rentals - Here's your chance to rent a Kawasaki KLR 650 dual sport and explore some of the most scenic areas and world famous roads...
Located on the Robbinsville end of the Cherohala Skyway, Cherohala Cycle Rentals provides a wonderful opportunity to visit this area and still ride if you're not able to bring your own bike, or experience a different style of riding if your street bike doesn't handle off road very well. They are very friendly people with reasonable rates and good equipment.
Anyone interested in hunting or fishing and are from out of state can purchase temporary game license at the Cherohala Market, about 2 miles from the campground. From there, it's just a hop, skip, and a jump to the Tellico River, home of some of the best trout fishing in the area, and the Cherokee National Forest, where you can hunt in season game.
A variety of hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, and ATV trails are located in the Cherokee National Forest, among other places. Visit the National Forest's listing of trails to see what is there.
Whitewater rafting down the Ocoee river is a big hit in this part of Tennessee. Ocoee.com has compiled a great collection of links for not only whitewater rafting, but also kayaking, canoing, rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, repelling, hang gliding, a ropes course, trout fishing... if it can be done outdoors in SE Tennessee, this website has links to the best of the best.
9555 Hwy 68 Tellico Plains, TN 37385 423.253.2918 GPS Coordinates: N35 20.889 W084 18.452