North Carolina

A collection of 89 posts

Destinations Premium Content

Great Smoky Mountains National Park—A Green Paradise

If you haven’t ridden in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park yet, what are you waiting for? Set time for a trip and get in the saddle, because you’re missing out. Covering 522,000 acres on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains National

Travel Guide

12 Extreme Twisties in Southeast US

Ruler-straight pavement running by the seaside or through the bayou… You certainly can find such roads in the Southeast U.S., but the region also has plenty of twists and turns up for grabs. After all, this is where you’ll find arguably the curviest road in the country.

Classic Roads Premium Content

The Hidden Gem of the Nantahala Forest—Wayah Road and Wayah Bald Road

Wayah Road winds through the breathtaking scenery of North Carolina's Nantahala National Forest. Beginning near Franklin, NC, Wayah Rd stretches approximately 28 miles, connecting US 64 and US 74. This route leads riders through the dense forest, alongside rushing streams and through countless twists and turns. It also

Destinations Premium Content

Beware the Boogeymen of Boogertown, NC

Classic Roads Premium Content

The Devil's Stairs—Wicked Fun in North Carolina

There won’t be a stairway to heaven over where we’re going. You’ll still have a great ride, though. North Carolina has a deservedly great reputation as a motorcycling destination, and the Devil’s Stairs takes you on some of the most sinfully fun of them all. All

Accommodations

Fontana Village is Renovating

If you’ve chased the curves in western North Carolina, there’s a good chance you’ve ridden along SR 28 and past Fontana Village. It’s a sprawling resort made up of a main lodge, more than 100 cabins, camping and RV sites, a pool with a lazy river,

Travel Guide

8 Best Places for A Fall Color Ride Near the Smokies

The Smoky Mountains are covered in deciduous trees. Their dense canopies are already gorgeous in the summer, but once fall comes around, the mountains burst into flame. Figuratively speaking, that is. No matter where you go in the Smokies in the fall, you’re bound to see some stunning leaves.

Accommodations

Review: The Yellow House—Waynesville, NC

Nestled among the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, the Yellow House Bed and Breakfast in Waynesville, NC, is more than just a historic inn. It’s a gateway to a bygone era of charm, warmth, and serenity. Our stay here was nothing short of wonderful. Upon arriving at the Yellow House,

Classic Roads Premium Content

The Curvy Beauty of the Woods—Diamondback Loop in North Carolina

It’s not about how long it is, it’s about how good of a time you can have with it. I am, of course, talking about the Diamondback Loop in North Carolina. Just short of 17 miles, this loop through the dense woods of the Pisgah National Forest is,

Accommodations

Review: Maggie Valley Yurts & Log Cabins—Maggie Valley, NC

Easing into a new adventure, Jason and I embarked on a journey to Maggie Valley, NC, eager to explore the region's winding roads and scenic beauty. Upon our arrival at Maggie Valley Yurts and Log Cabins, the charming allure of the six cabin rentals, nestled just off the

Classic Roads

A Bucket List Road—The Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway plows through the longest linear park in the U.S., stretching over 469 miles from near Waynesboro, VA, to US 441 in North Carolina along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Those hundreds of miles include some of the most stunning views you can find in all of

Accommodations

Review: Heart of The Valley Motel—Maggie Valley, NC

In summer 2023, we met up with our giveaway winner, Christina, and her friend, Jennifer, for a Shamrock Tour® out of Maggie Valley, NC. We planned the ride for early June, just before the busy season began, and we basically had Maggie Valley to ourselves—aside from a Chevy SSR

Accommodations

Review: Sky Ridge Yurts—Bryson City, NC

Sky Ridge Yurts is a glamping haven perched high on a mountainous ridge line. The promise of a view that could "take your breath away" wasn't an exaggeration—it was a reality that unfolded before our eyes. Descending on Sky Ridge felt like stumbling upon a

Mar/Apr '24 Premium Content

Tennessee & North Carolina: Theme Rides, Biodiversity, and Casinos

It was a bright morning in late May. A leisurely breakfast at Pete’s Coffee Shop & Restaurant in the delightful town of Knoxville, TN, set us up for the start of our Great Smoky Mountains motorcycle tour. After the breakfast (with eggs, bacon, pancakes, and the works), my wife

Classic Roads Premium Content

Discover North Carolina on US 70

Opened to traffic in 1926, US 70 quickly earned the nickname Broadway of America for its significant role as one of the main highways connecting the U.S. East Coast to the West. Although its western terminus has moved several times, its eastern end in North Carolina has stayed mostly

Destinations

Why Not Visit This Small Town—Whynot, NC

Behind every name, there is a story. Take your bike to Whynot, NC, and you’ll discover a place whose origin story will surely resonate with any rider who has attended an overly long meeting that just never seems to end. Whynot is a small place of only around 100

Travel Guide

10 American Roads That Should Be On Your Riding Bucket List

American roads are legendary for a reason. Long and wide, they wind through this county, offering unforgettable motorcycling experiences to both homegrown and visiting foreign riders. But with so many fantastic roads in the U.S., their sheer number can be intimidating. How can you know which road to ride

Classic Roads

The King's Highway—America's Oldest Road

Taking the King’s Highway to get to his presidential inauguration in New York in 1789, George Washington had to cross a very unique bridge. Another notable American known to have crossed it was John Adams. When a Japanese film crew came to America in 1996 to film an iconic

Travel Guide

Top 10 Curviest Roads in the U.S.

Motorcycle enthusiasts are on an eternal quest to find an experience the curviest of roads. I decided to look into some choice asphalt spread out over the nation to help you satiate your desire for a compelling ride. In no particular order, and without attempting to say which is the

Travel Guide

The Ultimate High: Riding Your Motorcycle to America's Tallest Peaks

The U.S. is home to many majestic mountain ranges, and exploring them on a motorcycle is an exhilarating adventure. Here are seven of the highest mountain peaks in the country that are accessible via motorcycle. Mount Evans, CO Standing at an impressive elevation of 14,271 feet, Mount Evans

Jul/Aug '23

City Escape: Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina is characterized by the Appalachian Mountains in the west and the dune-lathered coastline—including the Outer Banks—to the east. Adventurous souls can find tranquility in the gently rolling sweepers of smooth asphalt cutting through farmland and across lakes and rivers. Rejuvenated historical towns provide ample opportunities

Classic Roads

Classic Roads: NC-209 The Rattler

This may not be the longest bucket road in America, but it is technically challenging and highly scenic, and who says you only have to ride The Rattler just once? The stretch is 36 miles long, and there are over 200 curves along the way. The road spans two mountain

Travel Guide

8 Best Coastal Ride Destinations in the Southern US

Motorcycles and coasts go well together. Coasts tend to be undeveloped, with roads that accommodate the geography. As a result, they’re perfect routes for serene two-wheel touring and sightseeing. Although the West Coast often receives the lion’s share of attention for its coastal rides, the South has

Accommodations

10 Motorcycle-Friendly Hotels You Should Stay at in the US

A comfortable place to stay can be one of the highlights of a motorcycle tour. But not every hotel accommodates us riders equally well. In RoadRUNNER’s ever-evolving efforts to give moto enthusiasts the best leg up on travel, we’ve compiled this list of our favorite motorcycle-friendly

Accommodations

6 Hotels for a Romantic Motorcycle Getaway in North Carolina

We motorcyclists have a rather voracious penchant for “getting away from it all.” There’s nothing quite like riding to an intimate location to forget about the worries of the world for a day or two. Here are six motorcycle-friendly North Carolina establishments that make for an unforgettable romantic