129 Dragon Shine & Helmets
129 Hub, Dragon Welcome Center
Cherokee Realty ~ Robbinsville NC
Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center
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Claw of the Dragon ~ Southwest Virginia
E-MOTORCYCLE RENTALS, Robbinsville NC
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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
2025 Season Opener
The 2025 Tail of the Dragon Season is HERE!
With snow on the ground around much of the country, it's hard to believe that road trip season is just around the corner. Here at Tail of the Dragon, we are hard at work preparing for a season you won’t forget. We're making sure the store is in tip-top shape for you to rest up and get all your dragon souvenirs. Keep an eye out for our new merchandise this season!
We share with heavy hearts that our co-founder, Ron Johnson, passed suddenly in late January. We're grateful for the road he forged, the memories shared and the tremendous impact he made on the riding and driving community. We hope you'll join us in honoring his legacy as we make memories on the hill together in 2025. For those who have reached out, Nancy is tremendously grateful for the kind words and unmatched support. Hearing your memories and stories about Ron has been an enormous comfort.
As you start your engines in 2025, we can't express enough gratitude for continuing to choose the Tail of the Dragon as the place you come to be with friends, family, and make bucket list memories.
KILLBOY Update on the Current Road Conditions
This winter we saw an increase in 18-wheeler traffic due to the I-40 closure from Hurricane Helene. Thanks to better signage expressing length restrictions, the truck traffic has tapered off. There are some visible scrape marks around "Swift Corner" at about mile marker 4.7 on the TN side, but the rest of the road is in good shape. NCDOT announced a March 1st reopening date for the closed section of I-40 with traffic limited to one lane in each direction at a reduced speed - this should further reduce any chance of 18-wheeler traffic on the Tail of the Dragon.
NCDOT crews have been clearing trees on the North Carolina side of Highway 129 (NOT the Dragon) - specifically, Hwy 129 south of our T-shirt Shack to Tapoco Lodge, and on Moonshiner 28 between the T-shirt Shack and Fontana Village. Once completed, the road should quickly clean up after a few rain showers.
Finally, we want to reassure those concerned about the impact Hurricane Helene had on our area. Everything is open and operating as usual. Most importantly, the local tourism economy is eager for your support. Please note, areas of the Blue Ridge Parkway were heavily damaged by the storm. Sections of the parkway will be closed for repairs for some time. Here is a link to the NPS map showing current closures: https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/helene-impacts-and-recovery.htm
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.
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. Plus other area twisties. www.TailoftheDragon.com www.Cherohala.com www.devilstriangletn.com www.moonshiner28.com
Escape to Mountain Lake House 🌲🌊
Looking for the perfect getaway? Discover Mountain Lake House, a serene cabin rental with a private boat dock on the stunning Lake Santeetlah. Located just minutes from Robbinsville, Joyce Kilmer/Slickrock Wilderness Areas, Tail of the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, and Moonshiner 28, it's a paradise for motorcyclists, sportscar enthusiasts, or anyone seeking a peaceful lakeside retreat.
-Cabin Highlights-
Main Level:
Master bedroom with king-size bed
Central air/heat & ceiling fans
Large flat-screen TV with satellite for your favorite games
Fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher, coffee maker & microwave
Gas grill for outdoor cooking
Lower Level:
Another spacious master bedroom with king-size bed & private bath
Great room with a sectional sleeper sofa (queen bed)
Additional 1/2 bath
Ready to relax by the lake? Call us at 📞 828-479-8558 or 📞 828-735-2049 to book your stay now! 🏡✨
Visit our website for more details: mountainlakehousenc.com
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BALD RIVER FALLS BRIDGE AND TELLICO RIVER ROAD SET TO REOPEN MAY 30!
MONROE COUNTY, TN, May 21, 2025 – The Monroe County Department of Tourism and the Cherokee National Forest is pleased to announce that the Bald River Falls bridge and Tellico River Road, located within the Cherokee National Forest, will officially reopen to vehicle traffic on Friday, May 30, 2025. This much-anticipated reopening follows extensive rehabilitation efforts to enhance safety and improve accessibility to one of Tennessee’s most iconic natural landmarks.
Bald River Falls, renowned for its breathtaking 90-foot cascade and easy roadside viewing, is a significant draw for visitors exploring the Cherokee National Forest. The reopening of this scenic corridor will restore full access to a cherished destination for nature enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers, and local businesses that rely on tourism-driven revenue. Not only has access to Bald River Falls been improved, but the new Bald River Falls bridge now features a pedestrian viewing area, separating vehicle traffic from those enjoying the beautiful views of Bald River Falls.
Monroe County Mayor Mitch Ingram emphasized the economic significance of this project, stating, “The reopening of Tellico River Road and Bald River Falls bridge marks a pivotal moment for our community. This area is a cornerstone of our tourism economy, and with full access restored, we anticipate a surge in visitors eager to experience the natural beauty of Monroe County. The positive impact on our local businesses, from outfitters and lodging providers to restaurants and retail shops, will be substantial.”
Monroe County Tourism Director Blaina Best echoed these sentiments, highlighting the broader implications for the region. “Bald River Falls is one of the most photographed and visited attractions in our region, and its accessibility is crucial for both tourism and local pride. We are excited to welcome both locals and travelers back to this beloved destination and look forward to seeing the renewed energy it brings to the area.”
“We are excited to restore access to the affected communities, businesses, and public lands on the Tellico Ranger District.” said Andrew Carrier, Cherokee National Forest. “Our community showed great patience while the complex bridge project was further impacted by a catastrophic flood that changed our plans significantly. Our engineering team did an excellent job replacing an aging and unsafe bridge with a beautiful landmark that visitors and residents can enjoy for decades to come.”
Visitors are encouraged to plan their trips accordingly and check for any additional updates on road conditions or travel advisories. For more information on Monroe County attractions and events, visit www.visitmonroetn.com.
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Great picture
That's looks amazing
Looking for convenience right in the heart of Robbinsville, NC? time to check out Mountain Manor!
One and two bedroom suites in Robbinsville with easy access to all the rides/drives. Plus you can walk to restaurants downtown. WIFI, satellite TV, kitchens, laundry, and gas grills. Cottages also available.
Group Facilities: Nine large, one- and two-bedroom suites. Good location for a small group of motorcycles or sports cars.
www.mountainmanorhotel.com/
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Is that where we are going this fall? Maybe Diane will be able by September or October.
Do you care about getting a professional new logo or revamp of your old logo design for your business or page ?
Looking to upgrade you Tail of the Dragon stay? Check out this lodge with a view!
Three bedroom, 2-1/2 bath mountain vacation home, perfect combination of private seclusion & proximity to popular area attractions. Close to Bryson City, NOC, Tail of the Dragon, Smoky Mtn Nat'l Park, & 2 lakes. Very private & secluded on 3 acres with parking for up to 4 vehicles. Panoramic views, a 7 seater hot tub, outdoor seating, grill, & firepit with picnic table, 2 King Suites, bunk room, a full kitchen, & a newly added car wash station for the dragon riders!
Link to book: www.airbnb.com/rooms/978220916478106398
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Great. First go to The Dragon. Tail of the Dragon is a store in Deals Gap.
Absolutely amazing
How much?
Ready for an adventure! Check out our friends over at Back Country Adventure Tours!
The details: "Our speciality is planning tours and showing you points of interest throughout the greater Smoky Mountains. Never worry about losing service for your GPS again, we will be there showing you the way. We cater the route to fit your desires, do the planning for you, and show you hidden gems along the way. All you have to do is enjoy the ride."
www.backcountryadventuretours.com/
(828) 202-7441
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There are a wide variety of accommodations in our area. These range from basic tent camping to exclusive mountain top resorts.