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Snuggled neatly in a scenic valley nearly straddling the border of Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains Park and North Carolina's Nantahala National Forest is one of the world's most interesting and unique locales.
The Tapoco Lodge has grown from a relatively little-known site in the 1930s to increasingly becoming more popular and is now experiencing sold-out dates much of the year.
Tapoco sounds like a name derived from the Cherokee Indian tribe which once populated this area, but it is not. The name is an acronym of the Tallassee Power Company, which built a large dam a few miles down the road from the lodge.
Much of Tapoco's charm is because of the roaring Cheoah River that flows by only a stone's throw from the lodge property.
The lodge has taken full advantage of the river's proximity, building an attractive extensive patio dining area overlooking the tumbling whitewater river, enabling dozens of guests to be up close and personal to the boulder-filled waterway. They also have an indoor restaurant area (more on that in the sidebar story below).
The 27-room lodge has grown over the years and now includes nine historic ambiance lodge rooms and 18 well-appointed modern conveniences cabins, many situated along Yellowhammer Creek, whose gurgling waters provides a Mother Nature sleeping pill.
The lodge is now on the list of America's National Register of Most Historic Places.
The hydroelectric Cheoah Dam was completed in 1919 after about a thousand Power and Engineering Group of Alcoa (some 30 miles away) workers toiled about three years on the project, many brought in by a new railroad and others housed in makeshift quarters in the area where Tapoco Lodge was later built in 1930.
The water inflow for Cheoah is primarily dependent on releases from Brookfield's Santeetiah Lake, primary flow control facility for the lower Little Tennessee River.
When completed, the 225-foot dam was the world's highest overflow dam, with the stored water called Santeetiah Lake. The turbines were the largest in the world, and the 150,000-volt transmission line had the highest voltage and the longest span for a transmission line — 5,010 feet (1,530 m) across the river below Cheoah Dam.
The dam also achieved a bit of worldwide fame when it was used for a dynamic scene in the filming of the 1993 movie "The Fugitive" starring Harrison Ford.
Today, the river alongside the lodge becomes even more spectacular when the dam releases overflows (about 20 times per year), turning the river into an exciting challenge for kayakers and a treat for onlookers. The dam has scheduled several water releases for the rest of this year, including May 15-16, May 29-30, June 19-20, Oct. 9 and Nov. 13.
Tapoco includes much more than terrific river views.
The 122-acre property offers numerous hiking trails, ranging from a few hundred yards to about 11 miles, outdoor firepits, antique gas station display, Tesla autp charging, some pet-friendly options, extensive gift shop with many unique items, tennis court, rocking chairs, hot tubs, special events (weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.).
Tapoco is not only a unique and interesting place, but just getting there can also be an exciting experience.
Highway 129, which runs south through Knoxville (60 miles away) and Maryville (30 miles away), includes a mountain segment of about 11 miles of more than 300 hairpin turns. The segment is called The Tail of the Dragon and has become a national destination for motorcyclists and sports car enthusiasts. Several car clubs make annual pilgrimages to the Dragon, which ends a couple of miles from Tapoco Lodge.
There have been more than a dozen motorcyclists killed on the road in recent years.
It is not unusual to see ultra-expensive futuristic-looking cars parked at the lodge (I have seen $1.4 million Ferraris, $1.2 million Paginis, $2.2 million McClaren Speedtails, etc.). Sometimes the parking lot looks like Monte Carlo.
The lodge has 65+ employees, but much of the success of place can be attributed to the management skills of general manager/owner Kim Vaught and five other senior ma\nagers.
"I came to the lodge in 2017 after 30 years of fulltime church ministry. A year later they named me a part owner – so, myself and four members of the Bailey family are the owners," said Vaught.
Room rates vary slightly but generally run about $159-$331 per night.
For information: 828-498-2800, www.tapoco.com,
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Tapoco Dining Can be a Delight
By Emilia Mink
When visiting Tapoco the scenery and a large outdoor patio along the flowing Cheoah River will lure you to a table for lunch or dinner or maybe just a craft beer or a glass of wine but if you have dined here before there are no disappointments.
The choices are many, with the option of inside or outside dining, depending on the weather.
A favorite starter is the Carolina Mountain trout nuggets.
There is a small plate selection and soups and organic greens salads.
The burgers are half pound Angus beef with a verity of toppings and seasonings with one side. WARNING unhinge your jaws for these colossal burgers.
Beyond burgers are on the menu also for vegans.
Sandwich selections are pulled pork, chicken, BLTS, and backby popular demand the large classic Ruben ontoasted marbled rye bread.
The build your own pizzas are very popular. The sizes are medium and large. The gluten free is only in medium for four dollars more.
A verity of specialties highlighting the Carolina mountain trout (this is a must try) grilled chicken, Salmon and steaks all cooked to perfection.
Topping your meal off with a specialty beer, Kahlua and coffee or a brandy, while peace and calm encompass the scenery, now relax and reflect.