129 Dragon Shine & Helmets
Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson ~ Maryville TN
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Lynn’s Place ~ Robbinsville NC
Claw of the Dragon ~ Southwest Virginia
Appalachian Driving Experience
Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center
Wheelers Performance ~ Robbinsville NC
Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap with 318 curves in 11 miles: America’s number one motorcycle and sports car road.
Designated US 129, the road is bordered by the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest with no intersecting roads or driveways to hamper your travel. It is considered “the destination” for thousands of motorcycle and sports car fans throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Can you brave it? It’s best to be cautious as the turns are tight, but the Tail of the Dragon is guaranteed to be the ride of your life.
The nearby Cherohala Skyway is quickly becoming a destination too, with its remote 60 miles of breathtaking scenic mountain highway. The area also has other incredible roads like the Moonshiner 28, Foothills Parkway, Smoky Mountain Loop, Devils Triangle, Blue Ridge Parkway, The Gambler NC209, Diamondback 226, Devil's Staircase, Six Gap North Georgia, The Snake US421 and many Great Forest Service Dual Sport and Jeep Roads.
The Complete History of US 129 from Chiefland, FL to Knoxville, TN
by Ron Johnson 2020
Seasons Ending
What a great year at the Tail of the Dragon ..... so far. It's not over yet though. Our Tail of the Dragon T-Shirt Shack remains open through Sunday November 26 and is offering some last minute discounts. Weather looks good for the next week.
Tail of the Dragon Store
Tail of the Dragon offers custom signs in both street sign and shield format. You can add a photo too. What a great way to remember your trip to the Dragon.
Tail of the Dragon Store
Find your swag for all the great roads including Cherohala Skwyay, Tail of the Dragon, Moonshiner 28, Devils Triangle, Six Gap, Diamondback and more.
Upcoming 2023 Events
From official rallies with hundreds of attendees to a small gathering of friends, our region is ready to host your group. Let us help you plan your event.
Dragon Web Cams
Current Highlights
Find your photos online at Killboy.com
Tail of the Dragon
TAIL OF THE DRAGON AT DEALS GAP, 318 curves in 11 miles, America's #1 motorcycle and sports car road.
The HOLIDAY SALE IS HERE!
Use discount code thankyou20 for 20% off THE WHOLE SITE!
Plus!!!
NOW - DEC 31
$5.00 shipping for order total $10-$49.99
FREE SHIPPING ON ORDER TOTAL OVER $50
Shop now here: www.tailofthedragonstore.com/Default.asp
Pictured: Throwback photo from 2001!
10 CommentsComment on Facebook
That was a bit ago
Oh my, I remember these days with Ron and Nancy.
Thank you! Shirt and some patches ordered!! 😀👍🏼
Awesome pic... I remember these day well..
Emilee Green
Awesome pic! 2001 was my first year at the TOTD. Pretty sure that Ron took this picture for me. A red bike like mine went down later that day and Ron thought it was me and came to the scene to see if he could help. Ron probably doesn’t remember, but it was good to know someone I just met cared. Pretty much why always stay at TOTD rentals and only shop in their store.
Hello Nancy and Ron!
1999 Trevor Card,David Northcutt,Jeff Cox
I remember yall setting up on the top pullover. And the store was still the original gas station buikding. Good ole days...
If ya ride motorcycles... Ya gotta do it atleast once..
And that’s a wrap! Thanks to everyone who came out for a ride this year. 2023 has been a year to remember and that’s thanks to all of you who stop in and see us at the Tshirt shack each year. Looking forward to a bit of R&R for now. If you’re looking to grab some Merch, be sure to shop here (now) for delivery by the holiday:
www.tailofthedragonstore.com/Default.asp
Safe travels and we’ll see ya back at the Tail of the Dragon the first week in March!
38 CommentsComment on Facebook
The year of the frequent Cessna sightings! They will continue indefinitely...
Thank you!
Enjoy your time away! Ride on Ride Like A Pro
We loved it!! First timers with our Camaro from Jacksonville Florida.
Always feels good to pull in and get a snickers bar and coke before heading out to the next curve.. Have a great break and Holidays!
Amazing my experience at this place. Anxious to come back. Greetings from Brazil.
It was my first time this year. Definitely one to remember!
Thank you again for a wonderful experience yesterday!!
Dan Ketchum
We absolutely enjoyed our trip there this year! Happy holidays to you all & see you next year!!
I'm SO sad! I was finally going to get there this week!
See you in May
See you next season!
It’s an amazing ride Love It
Stan Goff, let’s go again.
Been there done that, great ride!
I’ll make it back down there sometime to ride the dragon 🐉 and the other
Five timer. My son about 10 times. Always good. Want to see the winter videos when guys still going through before they close for snow and ice.
Did it again
Jimmie Johnson
We rode from Toronto, met our friends, Tony & Janet, in Ohio, rode down and did the Tail of the Dragon, September 19th. Met some great members of law enforcement from Louisiana at Deal’s Gap. Stayed at Dragon City for a couple of days and had some great conversations with Dan. Heading down again in 2024 for more sightseeing.
I was just there on the bike the day after Thanksgiving 2023. Looking forward to next year's rides there.
Justin Haller we really need to go this summer .
Thanks for all that you guys do!
Can't wait for next year!!!
Did you know …
Tail of the Dragon Details:
Beginning at Deals Gap on the Tennessee/North Carolina state line is the Tail of the Dragon. It is considered by many as one of the world's foremost motorcycling and sports car touring roads. Anyone looking for an exciting highway will enjoy this 11-mile stretch of US 129.The Dragon is desolate and can be a real adventure in the winter months. We've had to deal with bears, turkeys, deer, and wild boars in the road, trees down, ice/snow, and tractor-trailers taking up both lanes in the curves. It is not a road for the squeamish, but if you're looking for a lot of excitement, don't miss this one. NOTE: Tennessee and North Carolina have banned 18-wheelers from this highway, but that doesn't mean you won't meet one sneaking through.
We've been driving the Tail of the Dragon since 1975. At first it was in the family car, then in our 1976 Corvette for many years. Then we graduated to motorcycles and a Mustang GT that we used to take Larry the Cable Guy for a few runs.
We have always loved this piece of asphalt, finding it a thrill in whatever we happen to be riding or driving. One of our most exciting runs was on icy roads in our Expedition with 4-wheel drive engaged. One day we crossed in a snow storm riding two-up on our FJR in freezing temperatures. That was tense.
In the summers we now drive the Dragon several days a week. It's better than any roller coaster we've ever been on. Our favorite sections are the Hump, the Esses just before Cattail Straight, and the Dips. Be ready to scrape your footpegs in some of these wild curves.
Beware .... it is not a road to sight-see on. The attraction is the road itself, not the scenery. No need to look at the wooded roadside when the curves are coming at you rapid fire. And the curves are what you should be concerned with.
To some the Dragon begins on the North Carolina side at Fugitive Bridge with a view of the Cheoah Dam where Harrison Ford jumped from in the movie The Fugitive. The dam and old single lane bridge were also in the 1971 movie Two Lane Blacktop that has become a cult classic.
US 129 then climbs through The Slide, a steep series of "S" curves where one would not want to meet a tractor-trailer. The road then levels and slightly straightens until a series of curves approaching the intersection of Moonshiner28, another great road in itself.
Take a break and stop at our Tail of the Dragon store. Just look for the Big Metal Dragon. We are located at the intersection of US 129 and NC 28.
Next comes Deals Gap and the Tennessee State Line where the real action begins. We'll leave the rest for you to describe after you try it. Many just remember curve after curve after curve and surviving the run of their lives with a hoot and a big smile on their face. The Dragon ends 11 miles across the mountain in Tennessee at Tabcat Creek Bridge. The North Carolina locals who use it frequently call it "that damn road to Tennessee" or "The Robbinsville Turnpike".
This is a very special and unique highway. There are no intersecting roads, no houses with driveways and no businesses. Each and every curve is different. There is very little elevation change. And many of the curves are banked like a race track. Watch out for a few twists that are off-camber and several that are decreasing radius curves.
After riding many other twisty roads, we always come home to the Dragon and rate it the most fun of them all.
Keep reading here: tailofthedragon.com/details/
617 CommentsComment on Facebook
Can’t wait to do it again!! 👍🏻😎❤️🔥
One of my favorite vacation spots of all time. I would definitely consider living in this area!
I had the privilege of riding my wing on it on several occasions! Always a blast 💥
Fall is amazing! This year we had a picnic and the restaurant and explored both stores. It has become an annual fall break cruise for me and my 10 year old grandson. A place of peace for me and we always find something fun to stop and explore along the way.
Love this road!
My son and I made our first trip there this summer with our cars. We had a lot of fun.
Enjoyed our time there and the surrounding areas--great riding
One of the best twistie roads ever. Our cruiser Wing took it like a dream.
We have road those roads many times and loved it-hope to ride it again with all our good riding buddies!!
Great ride!
We just experienced this for the first time going to and returning from NC. Wow!
My husband and I have driven the Tail many times. It’s especially fun in a Corvette! What a thrill!!
I enjoyed it more on a summer night than during the day
I cant wait.. its on the plans for spring.. 🐉
I rode in last summer, it was great
One of our favorite vacation destinations.
It is fun !!
I took it with my son and grandkids 😁. It was great.
I rode it a few years back. Would like to do it again.
Absolutely love! Been going there since 1986! So much fun! ❤️
This is one great road to be on. I have driven the Dragon in my Porsche and on my Harley. Both times it was an exciting run.
My wife and I did it two up, on a Goldwing, in the rain AND pulling a "loaded" trailer. Great times!
Love driving this road. The jeep loves it.
I’ve experienced it on a Harley! Fun!
Barry and I did it on our Harley 3 times. A thrill and wonderful memories
Happy Thanksgiving to all the Dragon Slayers out there from all of us here at the Tail of the Dragon!!
44 CommentsComment on Facebook
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving 💛🤎🧡
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy thanksgiving one and all
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving from Wisconsin!! We rode the Tail this summer, can't wait to ride it again!!
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving 🍽
Happy Thanksgiving we've rode it twice now...love it
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving from Brazil.
It's a fun ride!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and family from Kennesaw, GA
See ya again Saturday
👍
Happy Thanksgiving from Louisiana !🦃🦃✌️
HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM NE PA!
My favorite sequence. I love it.
Happy Thanksgiving from two Dragon fans from Toronto, Canada. On September 19th, we rode it two up, both directions and stayed at Dragon City.
Hell yeah been there done that awesome ride
Happy Thanksgiving 🦃
Take a walk down memory lane and explore some of the early Tail of the Dragon days with us. Anyone else get a bit nostalgic around the holidays? Click here for all the details: tailofthedragon.com/history/
8 CommentsComment on Facebook
Dave Bathurst
💙
First rode it in 1995 and many times since. I remember Pete was a real character
My Father, Frank “Pell” Davis was born at the Toll Gate. His parents were Jim and Mae Davis. George Davis was my Great-Grandfather.
Ryan Roberts
On your history page, edit Parson’s Branch road has re-opened since 2022.
George Davis
George with his daughters, Mary and Dixie at the Tollgate House.
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