Download area maps to your cell phone prior to leaving home. There is limited cell service and many GPS apps like Waze will not work well in the mountains. Google Maps will work, but only if you download area maps to your phone in advance of your trip. This is suggested for anyone who attends any scheduled drives with us.

You’ll want to save a substantial portion of the area offline, here are instructions.
We’ve created a list with important locations you can save.

The Dragon and surrounding mountain roads will challenge your car.

Do a thorough vehicle service and inspection of your vehicle BEFORE starting your trip.

Brakes, tires, and fluids must be up for the journey to Fontana and any drives you take while at PATD.

There is virtually no roadside assistance and even fewer mechanics.

Bring FRS radios to use during the event. Again, cell and WiFi service is extremely limited in most of the areas and radios are the best way of reaching others. FRS radios are NOT the same as CB radios. Please remember to bring the chargers for them. See our recommendations here.

Refuel BEFORE meeting up for a drive. Stopping to fuel “on the way” delays the group drive.

There is gas at Fontana Village at both the General Store and Fontana Pitstop.

Other nearby stations are in Robbinsville

Arrive to drive meetups early. There will be information about the drive that everyone will need to hear. Arriving early will also allow you to use the restrooms and socialize.

Medical help is 30-45 minutes away. The emergency room is at least an hour away. This is no place to be injured. The local rescue squad is a volunteer-based non-profit organization. Please also consider the availability of medical personnel knowledgeable of any known medical issues in case you require specialized care.

99% of the accidents on the Dragon come from the following:

• Too Much Speed

• Overuse / Overheating of Brakes

• Inattentiveness

• Driving Above Your Ability

Because we’ll be remote, plan on not having stellar cellular reception while you’re at Fontana Village or driving on the Dragon. Word on the street is that WiFi around the resort has been significantly improved since PATD4. Consider staying disconnected (and off Grindr) while you’re at Pride at the Dragon–you’re going to make friends, we promise!

There is extremely limited charging capacity at Fontana Village and the surrounding areas. Sharing is caring, please don’t hog the few ports that are available.

All cabins have kitchens with full size appliances and all rooms in the lodge have microwaves and fridges; consider packing food if you’re ballin’ on a budget.

With the exception of Saturday night dinner (included in your ticket), you’re fending for yourself.

Many of the group drives have scheduled lunch stops, be sure to look at the itinerary.

Fontana Village has two restaurants, their hours vary but the food is good!

Ingles, a grocery store in Robbinsville, is about 30 minutes from the resort.

Consider checking the ‘Roommates’ channel in the PATD Discord for options to join a cabin with available space.

Roommates Channel on Discord
Why join us on Discord?

If you’re booking on your own, be sure to call Fontana Village to take advantage of the Pride at the Dragon group rate, while it lasts.

This is just to help give you an idea, you do you!

Weather appropriate clothes–remember, it’s springtime in the mountains and the weather can be moody!
Swimsuit/towel/flip flops or Crocs (boat day on the lake and the pool!)
Sunscreen and bug spray
Any medications you take, EPIpen, allergy meds/cough drops
Water bottle (stay hydrated!)
Cash (some places may not take cards–suggested $100-150 in cash)
Camp chair
Roasting sticks for weenies and marshmallows
Games–feel free to host a game night!
If you plan on washing your car, grab those items! There are 2 washing stations onsite.
Whatever electronics you choose to bring and their respective chargers (don’t forget memory cards for cameras)
Those satellite walkie talkies? Yeah, grab those and their charger. Like right now.

Pricing for PATD5 registration and optional activities are available here.

Costs for lodging will vary based on your sleeping arrangements (see Lodging section).

Check out the average price for gas in North Carolina and Tennessee.

Consider incidentals, like purchasing photos from Killboy ($9/photo) or 129 Photos ($10/photo). This can be done after the event too and we might have discounts available.

Remember you’ll have to feed yourself, whether it’s the Wildwood Grill or in-cabin PB&J’s.

It’s not a bad idea to have a little bit of cash on hand.

Sober choices are cool, no judgment!

We do not tolerate or encourage drinking and driving. Any abuse of this will result in barring from future events.

You are responsible for whatever libations you bring (and/or choose to share), please do so responsibly.

You’ll be in the Great Smoky Mountains, so it’s best to come prepared for however Mother Nature may choose to act.

Keep an eye on the weather for Fontana Dam in the weeks leading up to the event