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2026 National - Mountains, Rivers & Twisties

Tom NWGA

Tom NWGA

Member
Member
The Southeast Area cordially invites y'all to the 2026 “Mountains, Rivers & Twisties” National Rally at the Unicoi Lodge in Helen, Georgia, June 15–19, 2026. Be sure to check out the link to the Event found here.

If you haven't visited this area before or missed the 2016 “Back Yard” National Rally, Helen is a replica of a Bavarian Alpine Village nestled in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains on the banks of the Chattahoochee River. Helen is known for its specialty shopping, import shops, and restaurants, many with a Bavarian theme.
There are no finer roads than the ones in North Georgia. Immediately outside of Helen you will be in some of the best twisties which follow rivers and traverse the Appalachian Mountains. Deal's Gap (AKA The Dragon), Cherohala Skyway, and the Blueridge Parkway are easily reached for your riding pleasure. The Rally Staff will also assist you in finding some of the lesser known but equally challenging local roads.

Rally Central will be The Lodge at Unicoi State Park which has lodge rooms, cabins, and camping located in the State Park. There are many recreational activities in the park and Helen. The Lodge features the Unicoi Restaurant and Smith Creek Tavern. Alternatively, you can eat at one of the many restaurants in Helen. Helen is only three miles from the Lodge. The park provides free shuttle service to and from Helen.

Registration will open in early 2026! Keep checking this thread, there is lots more to come!!​

 
I booked my Room!

Watch out Ron, I'm gonna be there!

Can't say that this is a promise though..
As we all know,,, it's a long time until the National, but,,,,,


Read on;




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Getting closer.





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Soon...




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Almost there...



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This IS not a promise.
This IS a threat! <evil grin>

Ride safe, Ted
 
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Oh Ted...

I booked on 7/2, very simple. I wish all our rally HQ hotels had online booking though. If this lodge is similar to the one at Lake Guntersville in '21, then I'll be a happy camper. Looking forward to returning to Helen. That was my second rally and I thought Kurt and his team did a great job. Lots of great riding and lots of great food, too.
 
gsjay said:
bodenseerestaurant.com

Bodensee Restaurant

Authentic german restaurant
bodenseerestaurant.com bodenseerestaurant.com

Must DO when in Helen!
Jason
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Yep, my go to German restaurant when in Helen.
ron203 said:
Add to the list.
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it is already on the Helen dinning list.
TRM-KS said:
Oh Ted...

I booked on 7/2, very simple. I wish all our rally HQ hotels had online booking though. If this lodge is similar to the one at Lake Guntersville in '21, then I'll be a happy camper. Looking forward to returning to Helen. That was my second rally and I thought Kurt and his team did a great job. Lots of great riding and lots of great food, too.
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Thank you! Always nice to have positive feed back!
 
TRM-KS said:
Oh Ted...

I booked on 7/2, very simple. I wish all our rally HQ hotels had online booking though. If this lodge is similar to the one at Lake Guntersville in '21, then I'll be a happy camper. Looking forward to returning to Helen. That was my second rally and I thought Kurt and his team did a great job. Lots of great riding and lots of great food, too.
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Not as large, but absolutely beautiful.
 
I've called the phone numbers a few times but no one seems to pick up the lines dumping to the "the person is not available"
does anyone have experience with camping at the campground. we want to know if the "comfort stations" are actual bath houses or just potties. the map offers no clues.
thanks
 
cog3k said:
I've called the phone numbers a few times but no one seems to pick up the lines dumping to the "the person is not available"
does anyone have experience with camping at the campground. we want to know if the "comfort stations" are actual bath houses or just potties. the map offers no clues.
thanks
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Good question. I’ve to make trip up there soon. I’ll try to remember to check. Are you tenting or camp(er)ing?
 
cog3k said:
I've called the phone numbers a few times but no one seems to pick up the lines dumping to the "the person is not available"
does anyone have experience with camping at the campground. we want to know if the "comfort stations" are actual bath houses or just potties. the map offers no clues.
thanks
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Rick, I'm 99% sure that the comfort stations include hot showers, sinks and toilets. Every GA State Park I've camped in has had them in the comfort station. But like Ron stated, we will swing by and double check that they do have showers.
 
Camping update as of today:

Camping update:
-Ken Skinner and I went by and examined the campground a little more today (any excuse to ride!).

There are two large, primary camping areas:

-“Hickory Hollow” area is mostly tents and small campers (pop ups, micro trailers , and the like. It's closest to the lodge and has one bathhouse with a couple of showers and flush toilets for men and for women.

-Laurel Ridge area is for bigger campers and medium sized RVs/motor homes and farther from the Lodge. All back in sites (as I recall- but I may have missed something. The roads are fairly technical in there, watch for traffic) and nowhere much to park a towed trailer or vehicle. I'd recommend calling if someone is interested in doing that. There will be a trailer parking area elsewhere for the lodge stayers. This area also has a much nicer bathhouse and is the area where the campground visitors center is located. There are a quite a few full hookup spaces but if someone wants these, call NOW because I'm sure they'll go fast for next summer.

-There are “Glamping” tents for rent (with power and a/c!!) around the turn from Laurel ridge.

-There’s a dump station near the Laurel Ridge area if you don’t manage to snag a full hookup site.

-The closest commercial camping site outside the park, is less than 1 mile away but is member only, so that’s not available to us. The next closest campground is 3.1 miles away and is a definite "mom&pop." Looks okay, just very basic.

-There is a nice rv park about 5 miles away (to the east) and would be a possibility for larger rigs (think bus sized).

We have not talked with either of those rv campgrounds, just did a ride through/by.

If you want to camp, reserve NOW, because this campground is open to the public and is popular in the summer.
 

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It's July 15th, 2025 and I reserved a room with 2 Queen beds. I will be looking for a roommate to share the cost.
I was surprised at the number of options that are already sold out. COG might not be the only group to be using this facility.
 
stevenpeck50 said:
It's July 15th, 2025 and I reserved a room with 2 Queen beds. I will be looking for a roommate to share the cost.
I was surprised at the number of options that are already sold out. COG might not be the only group to be using this facility.
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We’ll double check, but their online reservations site is a a little wonky sometimes. Make sure you put the group code in before you sort for choice of rooms. You should be about number 19 as of yesterday, so make those reservations!
 
Trying to keep a few leave days unused (I get a whopping 11/yr). If I were to skip a day of the rally, which might be less bad? Monday or Friday?
 
Merle Lowe said:
Trying to keep a few leave days unused (I get a whopping 11/yr). If I were to skip a day of the rally, which might be less bad? Monday or Friday?
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Friday

Friday is just checkout and departing for other places. The banquet ends the festivities on Thursday night about 10.

A really dedicated employee might ride home (to Rockmart) after the banquet or not, just plan accordingly and just watch for critters. It’s really dark across N Ga after 10 pm.

Monday is check-in, riding, a tech session or two (tbd, ) and jawboning (pretty much).
 
Merle Lowe said:
Ah well... I just booked Monday through Friday. That's officially the furthest ahead I've ever reserved anything.
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Me too booked - Saturday to Saturday and yes definitely furthest ahead I ever booked but happy to do so.

Now to plan the roll to the National Rally ride we’ll host!

Wayne, Carol & Blue
 
It will be interesting to see what routes come out of this one. For me, I want to head out toward SC one day. Maybe out to clayton and over to 28 and then up to Highlands/Cashiers/Sapphire and back again.
 
You can get over to Clayton GA and go out War Woman’s Dell Rd to the end and turn left on SC 28 and have an amazing twisty climb up into Highlands NC. Catch lunch at the Mountain Fresh Grocery in Highlands and head back down and over. Awesome ride!
 
I am booked at the Lodge Sunday night leaving Friday morning. Looking forward to the adventures coming, while being at the National, and heading home next year! Who else is coming from California! :) (y)
 
We got a camp site for the van. Hope to be there. We, my wife and I both really enjoyed Helen last time. Now what was that beer called? Erdinger or something close. Mmmmm
 
I have a few questions for budgeting, that maybe someone can answer. These may get answered by the Venue, but so far no answer to email or phone calls.
If the room is $125 per night and a $17 daily fee and tax is 15% then that comes to $163.30 per night assuming the $17.00 fee gets taxed at the same rate of the room or $161.94 if there is only sales tax on the $17 fee.

So, it seems simple so far...but ..If we show up with a truck, a trailer, and two bikes, do additional park parking passes need to be purchased every day at $5 each for the extra two vehicles ....so total of possible (for us in this case) $172.64 per night for room, fee, tax, and two extra vehicles?
I'm assuming that only one parking pass is needed for truck and trailer...but otherwise do my calculations seem accurate?
 
fartymarty said:
I have a few questions for budgeting, that maybe someone can answer. These may get answered by the Venue, but so far no answer to email or phone calls.
If the room is $125 per night and a $17 daily fee and tax is 15% then that comes to $163.30 per night assuming the $17.00 fee gets taxed at the same rate of the room or $161.94 if there is only sales tax on the $17 fee.

So, it seems simple so far...but ..If we show up with a truck, a trailer, and two bikes, do additional park parking passes need to be purchased every day at $5 each for the extra two vehicles ....so total of possible (for us in this case) $172.64 per night for room, fee, tax, and two extra vehicles?
I'm assuming that only one parking pass is needed for truck and trailer...but otherwise do my calculations seem accurate?
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We will look into this, but I believe the parking fee on the primary (tow vehicle) vehicle is registered with the room. Let us check. (See below for complete answer)

Also, this is a really busy place in the summer and fall, so I’d try avoiding calling at checkin and checkout times, if possible. School starts around there in a couple of weeks, then maybe it will be easier to get through during the day, M-F.
 
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ron203 said:
We will look into this, but I believe the parking fee is on the primary (tow vehicle) vehicle registered with the room. Let us check.

Also, this is a really busy place in the summer and fall, so I’d try avoiding calling at checkin and checkout times, if possible. School starts around there in a couple of weeks, then maybe it will be easier to get through during the day, M-F.
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Just talked to the reps at the lodge. Here’s the deal:

1) The tow vehicle parking fee of $5/day is included with the resort fee of $17 each day. Non- negotiable.

2) The parking fee is required by the state DNR and is enforced by the DNR rangers on ANY vehicle using the park in any way anywhere in the park. Each motorcycle will need a $5 parking pass DISPLAYED ON the vehicle while in the park. (Bring some waterproof tape with you). This is a Georgia Department of Natural Resources rule statewide and is not unique to this park. BUT I was able to get a better deal (next bullet).

3) When you check in, you’ll buy a Parking pass for your bikes ($5 each bike-once) but the sales manager said they would write the pass to last for the whole time for each bike for $5 TOTAL, not $5/day X the number of days. (Read that slowly- I had to🤣). This was approved by Patrick Nelson (a/k/a “Paddy Nelson) in case the check in clerk “doesn’t get the memo.”

They are trying to work with us.
 
Merle Lowe said:
Gravel and dirt?

Don't make me bring the Guzzi
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The Chattahoochee BDRX runs right thru Helen and will likely be on my calendar for a couple days of brisk fire road and gravel riding.

There will be a wide variety of routes available that will include short and long options with most of the best roads the area has to offer included. There is no shortage of good riding in the local area. One really nice thing, that has been mentioned by Ron, is the Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway just outside of Helen. This is a common conduit leading out and what an amazing way to start and finish a great day of riding with beautiful sweeping curves nestled in the forest.

I'm booked in the Big Brook Spur. Highly recommend that you do not procrastinate making your reservations as the pickins are getting slim.
 
Just Booked my campsite. As mentioned earlier if you have a larger rig there are not many sites left. Better get it done.
 
We're planning to stay at the lodge; aftaid of getting the Beast back to the campground and site.
Trying to figure out what/ where to leave it.
 
Jorge said:
We're planning to stay at the lodge; aftaid of getting the Beast back to the campground and site.
Trying to figure out what/ where to leave it.
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Call the campground and talk specifics with the folks at the visitor center. (Not the Lodge) Doubt you are first ones with this question.
 
Thanks Jeff. I called and they explained that many sites are MUCH longer than what they've called.
We have one that is called 30', but is 48'. Won't fit with the trailer attached, but that's OK.
We have site #24; sorry Jeff, there goes the neighborhood. Full hookup with 50A service :)
 
The system apparently does not take reservations online with a phone. Also,
if they try to book before the check in date built in the block or after check out date they would have to do it through reservations. The Rally block is built for 6/13-6/19. If anyone wants to extend their stay any longer it will say it is not available. So, use your computer and the registration code within these dates only. 😁
 
TRM-MO said:
Oh Ted...

I booked on 7/2, very simple. I wish all our rally HQ hotels had online booking though. If this lodge is similar to the one at Lake Guntersville in '21, then I'll be a happy camper. Looking forward to returning to Helen. That was my second rally and I thought Kurt and his team did a great job. Lots of great riding and lots of great food, too.
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Had trouble booking on line.
Called number in Rally post 706-878-2201 easy peasy

Ditto....We loved the lodge at Guntersville Lake. (y)
 
ONOBob said:
Had trouble booking on line.
Called number in Rally post 706-878-2201 easy peasy

Ditto....We loved the lodge at Guntersville Lake. (y)
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Glad you got it done.

Their reservation page is a little wonky, I have to resize my screen to a smaller aspect ratio in order to be able to enter the booking code. In that booking box, the scroll feature doesn't work.
 
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