Part 3 of 3 ADV / Motorcycle specific campgrounds across Appalachia (plus a bonus, “soon to be” in the Ozarks)

On my fall loop I was very fortunate to camp at a few motorcycle specific campgrounds across Appalachia. Wether you are traveling solo on your bike or like me in the van with a bike, these campgrounds are very welcoming for the moto traveler. Safe spaces, power outlets , hot showers and friendly smiles all await you. On my loop I visited or stayed at 4 campgrounds in 4 different states.

The first campground on my list is the most unique one. It’s private land that’s mainly used to host moto events throughout the year. It’s called the TOAD just outside Tellico Plains Tennessee. Events like March Moto Madness , GS Giants rally and the Let’s Take a Ride Eastern Rendezvous are hosted there throughout the year. The riding out that way is spectacular! Getting to one of those listed events is the way to get in. But the Smokey Mountain 500 passes by the front driveway so if you are doing that, I’d contact Mickey Fouts to see if you can stay the night.

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Next up on the list is the Mountain View Motorcycle campground , literally just inside the North Carolina state line in the town of Elk Park NC.
Its run by a great couple Mark and Janine Cornell that have turned a 20+ acre orchard into a campground, training area and gathering place for the adventure motorcycle community. When I was on my way up there to check it out, I had received a message from Janine that Mark went down on his TW-200 when a deer jumped in his path. He was in the ICU up at the hospital in Johnson city Tennessee so she likely wouldn’t be around. I was to make my self at home and I could park next to the main building. Mark was stable, though he did sustain broken ribs and collarbone on the left side of his body. I was surprised to see Janine later that afternoon when she returned to let the the dogs out and grab a decent nights sleep after making sure Mark was well cared for. To help with Marks medical expenses their friends have started a Go Fund Me page at this link ->-> Help Mark <-<-
Since the accident he’s back home and resting but will need at least one surgery to reset the collarbone. Hoping and praying for a quick recovery Mark!
Back to the campground, The main building has 2 bathrooms, 4 bunks a “kitchenette” with motorcycle lift and tire changing abilities. There are also a number of 1 room cabins and tent spaces around the property. The rates are very reasonable so please check them out. You’ll be blown away by the hospitality! There are weekend events planned frequently so it’s best to call a head. Tell Janine hi for me!

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Two Wheels of Suches (Georgia) is a motorcycle mecca of sorts in the hill county of North Georgia. Every road into or out of the little village is super twisty and can be challenging if not paying attention. I first camped there a few years back in the van and the Super Tenere where I took a couple days getting to know the area. I was not disappointed! I was able to pull up the van on the edge of the creek that flows through the campground. Also, part of the Smokey Mountain 500 mentioned earlier passes through town so it’s a great place to stop for a night. There is a restaurant on site that does prepare a few meals, nothing fancy but filling.

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In the previous post I mentioned Giorgio Torregrosa of the Little River Adventure Campground outside Fort Payne, Alabama . He’s a super nice guy that’s building quite the complex. A bit over 20 acres of dispersed camping but plans to run power and water to several of the sites. There’s even an open area for training and he’s able to host larger events and rallies. The entire location is nestled between 20+ miles of gravel roads in the Little River Wildlife Management Area and the “Dragon” of Alabama. (county road 176) Scenic views and excellent riding on road or off. The campground is also the only Destination Yamaha location in Alabama where you can rent Yamaha motorcycles or Rad Power E-bikes. Give Giorgio a call when you want to see some beautiful areas of Alabama.

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Now for the bonus!

It’s the goal of Dustin and Kate Coit of So live So Ride to establish a motorcycle campground called the “MOTO RANCH” and training facility in the Ozarks of Arkansas near the Trans American Trail. The 27.5 acres on State Route 21 north of Ozone Arkansas was just purchased a few weeks ago so lots of details and plans are in the works. They were kind enough to give me a walking tour of the place and explain some of their dream. “Glamping” tents with great views, rustic and powered tent sites, training area, even a pond to be cleaned up for a post ride dip are all part of that dream.
Dustin and Kate are transplants from the Denver area and the street/cruiser side of the moto world. They have both really taken to adventure riding and even competed in a GS Trophy event. Kate wrote an article about their adventures for the the BMW owners monthly publication BMW ON . I’ll be following closely their progress on the property and even let them know I’d love to help out when I’m in Arkansas if they need a hand.

So, wether traveling across Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia or Alabama as an Adventure rider and don’t want to rough it in the woods, there are campgrounds that cater to our Adventure riding and all have excellent riding not far away. Please stop by a these places and tell the owners hi.