3 Day adv ride / Camping Trip

This is a route we've put together for a 3-4 day dual sport trip from Buford GA. It includes two fairly long days in the saddle of good dual sport riding, some easy and some more difficult (still big bike friendly if you are confident on a big adv bike). The end of each day (color coded) is a nice camping spot. This route is planned with bike camping in mind, keep in mind if you prefer hotels there will be a pretty sizable detour to get to a hotel then pick the route back up the next day. The camping spots have been chosen are backwoods primitive camping (no power, no bathrooms, ect...) -- specifically for being out in the woods, quiet and away from people and civilization. This can cause an issue if you need a hotel bed.
DAY 1 is a long day and the most off road/ gravel of the trip -- 230 miles to the campsite (starting in Buford, GA) and once you get north of Dawsonville it is majority off road. An 8 hr day will have to average 25 mph to get to camp before dark. It takes you through some of North Georgia's best adv riding and mirrors much of the Smokey Mountain 500 route. You will camp at the top of a small mountain with a cell tower -- not an "official" campground so camp at your own risk, but It's a truly beautiful spot to be at night. Its a good idea to gas up in Tellico Plains before heading back into the woods for the evening.
DAY 2 is just over 200 miles with a good 80-90 mile stretch of pavement to get north for times sake. You should get up and leave early in the morning because there is an off road reward at the end of the day if you get there in time to set up camp and have some fun. Most of the pavement is really pretty roads and includes Little River Rd, an absolutely amazing twisty road going through storybook scenery. Once you are north of Gatlinburg theres a short jaunt on hwy 321 and back in the woods with some great views from forest service roads. You should stop at the end of hwy 321 for gas and supplies for the evening. Theres a place called DJ's Market and deli that is probably the best bet for gas, food, ect... Some of the following forest service roads close seasonally - you should check with the forest service before leaving to make sure they will be open. The day will end at a nice campground that is located at an off road park. If your still feeling frisky you can unload the bike and do some late afternoon off roading before settling in for dinner.
DAY 3 is all pavement -- were assuming you need to get back at the end of Day 3 and it wouldn't be possible to mix in much dirt so we picked some of our favorite twisty roads for a nice road ride back to town. It's 263 miles back to Buford, GA on this route so you can either take your time or leave late and still be ok getting back at a decent hour. If you want more dirt on the way back you could pick up the smokey mountain 500 route west of Sylva or southwest of Franklin NC.
Enjoy! It's a good idea to study the route a little and check with local authorities to make sure all these roads are open... some may close for seasonal closings, storms, flooding, etc.... It's a good idea to know in advance, a detour could keep you from making it to the designated camping spot.

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