Frequently Asked Questions

Historic Tapoco Lodge sits along the banks of the Cheoah River in Robbinsville, North Carolina, set between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Nantahala National Forest. Our resort in Robbinsville is reached directly from Route 129.

The lodge is located alongside Route 129, so approaches from either the east or the west follow the same scenic road. Route 129 through this stretch is the road known as the Tail of the Dragon.

The lodge is minutes from the Tail of the Dragon and sits directly on Route 129, the road itself. That position is why our Tail of the Dragon lodging is a fixture for motorcyclists, sports car drivers and two-lane tourists.

The property covers approximately 120 acres running along the Cheoah River. Groomed hiking trails, riverbank fire pits, tennis courts and a hammock cove are spread across the grounds.

Yes, this historic lodge Great Smoky Mountains visitors use as a base sits within the Great Smoky Mountains and the Nantahala National Forest. Hiking, canoeing, rafting, kayaking, fishing, birding and mountain biking all start at the doorstep.

Yes, private air access is available and is noted across our groups, weddings and local highlights pages. Contact our team ahead of travel to arrange the details.

Yes, Tesla charging stations are available for guest use at the Tin Can Theater on the property. They sit alongside the theater's event and screening facilities.

Officially US Route 129, the Tail of the Dragon packs 318 curves into 11 miles, flanked by the Great Smoky Mountains on one side and the Cherokee National Forest on the other. It is an internationally recognized drive and the reason many riders and drivers plan their trip around this stretch of road.

Yes, Cheoah River rafting and kayaking run on the whitewater rapids directly in front of the lodge. The river sits just west of Santeetlah Lake, and its slick rapids and complex turns suit experienced paddlers.

The Cheoah runs on scheduled dam releases rather than continuously, and the release dates for each year are published on our website. Check the current schedule before booking a rafting trip so your stay lines up with a release weekend.

The Cherohala Skyway is a 43-mile National Scenic Byway of long sweeping turns and wide mountain views. The Discovery Channel named it one of North America's top 10 most gorgeous motorcycle rides.

Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest is an old-growth forest holding trees more than 400 years old, named for the poet Joyce Kilmer, who lived from 1886 to 1918, and his poem Trees. Twilight strolls in summer are popular for spotting fireflies among the grove.

Yes, Lake Santeetlah is a short drive away and has peaceful, private shorelines backed by thick national forest. Its clear waters suit swimming, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding, including with dogs.

Yes, 11 hiking trails run on the property itself and a downloadable property map marks the routes. Access to these private trails is included in the nightly rate.

Four categories are available:

• Lodge Suites, spacious suites in the main lodge with private bedrooms and expansive baths
• Lodge Rooms, cozy rooms in the main lodge with river or mountain views
• Cabin Rooms, riverside and creekside cabins across the grounds
• Offsite Properties, two larger homes on the Cheoah River for families and groups

The main lodge holds 11 rooms and suites, made up of 5 Lodge Suites and 6 Lodge Rooms. A further 18 cabins in Robbinsville, North Carolina sit across our grounds, with 2 offsite homes available in addition.

Five suites make up the category:

• Evergreen, an ADA-accessible two-room suite for up to 4 guests
• Laurel, a third-floor suite for 2 with a jetted tub
• Rhododendron, a third-floor two-room suite for 2 with a jetted tub
• Roosevelt, our presidential suite with a Jacuzzi tub and fireplace
• Mellon, with a king size bed, Jacuzzi tub and reading nook

The Roosevelt Suite is our presidential suite, named for President Roosevelt, who dedicated the Great Smoky Mountains as a National Park in 1940. It sits above the Cheoah dining room with a king size bed, Jacuzzi tub, separate shower, private outdoor seating, 65-inch smart TV, electric fireplace, reading nook and in-room Red Light Sleep Therapy.

Seven cabins hold our 18 cabin rooms:

• The Santeetlah, king size beds and porches
• The Alcoa, two units with mountain views
• The Chilhowee, two units with a connecting door
• The Cheoah, three units with a private porch
• The Mountain View, three pet-friendly rooms
• The Overlook, two units with Cheoah River views
• The White Oak, Yellowhammer Creek views and a full kitchen

Yes, the Evergreen Suite is ADA compliant and sits on the main level in the corner of the lodge. It has an accessible bedroom with a walk-in shower and overlooks the Cheoah River rapids and property gardens.

Daily housekeeping, 24-hour guest services, nightly bonfires, tennis courts, the hammock cove and access to miles of private hiking trails are all included. Meals are charged separately and are not part of the room rate.

Two restaurants operate on the property, making them the principal restaurants in Robbinsville for guests staying with us. The Cheoah Dining Room serves breakfast, and Tapoco Tavern serves lunch and dinner on the banks of the Cheoah River.

No, meals are not included in the room rates. Breakfast is available daily for an additional charge in the Cheoah Dining Room, with limited seating outside on the terrace overlooking the Cheoah River.

Tapoco Tavern is our locally inspired restaurant on the banks of the Cheoah River, serving carefully crafted seasonal dishes with the sound of the water alongside. It has a full bar and a woodstone pizza oven turning out Italian pizzas.

Yes, Tapoco Tavern was named Best Bar and Grill in Western North Carolina for 2025 by BusinessRate. The award was determined through Google Reviews.

Yes, both restaurants welcome visitors as well as house guests, and Tapoco Tavern is a well-established stop for riders and drivers on Route 129. Reservations are recommended for the Tavern.

Yes, Tapoco Tavern has indoor and private dining room options for groups. The Cheoah Dining Room is also available for private events and special dining occasions.

Yes, the Cheoah Dining Room has limited terrace seating overlooking the Cheoah River. Tapoco Tavern adds a dog-friendly outdoor patio where leashed pets join their owners for a riverside meal.

Yes, a destination wedding in Robbinsville at our lodge is set against the Cheoah River, the Yellowhammer Mountains and the Nantahala National Forest. Ceremonies are held on the grounds with the historic lodge architecture as a backdrop for photography.

With 57 beds across the property we sleep up to 100 guests, drawing on 18 cabin rooms, 11 lodge rooms and suites, and 2 offsite homes. That capacity suits retreats, reunions and multi-day celebrations.

The Tapoco Tin Can Theater is a restored historic building that once served as a community center, dance hall and venue for going-away parties for local soldiers during World War II. It now seats more than 100 for media presentations, social functions, weddings, dances and movies.

Corporate retreats, business meetings, car and motorcycle clubs, class and family reunions, weddings and holiday parties are all hosted here. Riverside, creekside and forest backdrops give each gathering a different setting.

Couples booking a 2025 wedding receive free anniversary stays in 2026 and 2027 as a gift from the lodge. Confirm current availability of the offer when you enquire.

Yes, an exclusive discount applies to a 3-night honeymoon stay at one of our sister properties. The choices are Abaco Inn and A Stone's Throw Away in the Bahamas, Brewery Gulch Inn and Spa in Mendocino, Casa Morada in the Florida Keys, and Hartstone Inn in Camden, Maine.

Yes, private air access is advertised for groups, weddings and visitors planning a trip. Raise it with our team when you enquire so arrangements are made in advance.

Yes, our pet-friendly resort in Robbinsville welcomes dogs in designated cabin rooms and has even hosted a doggie wedding. A treat is left waiting in the room on arrival.

A cleaning fee of $75 is charged for pets, which are permitted only in rooms designated as pet-friendly. The fee is set out in our general terms and conditions.

Yes, all pets must be on a leash whenever they are outside the guestroom and anywhere on the property. Most trails in the surrounding area require dogs to be leashed at all times as well.

Yes, Tapoco Tavern has a dog-friendly outdoor patio where leashed, well-behaved dogs join their owners. Riverside dining is available there for the two of you together.

Hundreds of miles of trails run on and around the Tapoco property and through the surrounding Great Smoky Mountains. Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest is a favorite nearby walk for guests with leashed dogs.

Yes, Lake Santeetlah is the recommended spot for water-loving dogs. Swimming along the shore or joining you in a kayak, canoe or paddleboard all work well there.

Yes, let our concierge know you are travelling with a pet at the time of booking. That ensures you are placed in a pet-friendly cabin room and the arrival treat is ready.

Flexible check-in and check-out times are offered based on availability rather than fixed hours. All bookings require a deposit for the first night's stay at the time of reservation.

Cancel less than 72 hours before arrival and the deposit is forfeited. Cancel 3 days or more before arrival and the deposit is refunded less a 10% service charge.

Yes, a non-refundable resort charge of 3% is assessed on all purchases. It applies in addition to the room rate and any incidental charges.

Reservations of more than 1 night are held until 11:00 a.m. the following morning, after which a no-show fee of 1 guestroom night plus tax is charged and the balance of the reservation is cancelled. Single-night reservations are subject to the same one-night no-show fee.

Yes, smoking of any type is prohibited on the property, including in guest rooms, and is permitted only in designated outdoor areas. Smoking outside those areas incurs a cleaning fee of $300.

Yes, the guest making the booking must be at least 21 years of age. Guests under 21 are accommodated only when travelling with an adult guardian or parent who is the named guest.

Yes, Affirm allows bookings to be paid in monthly installments over 3, 6 or 12 months. Checking eligibility does not affect your credit score.