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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

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Tail of the Dragon

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

Ready for an adventure? Then this one's for you.

From the BackCounty Team:
"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
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You can't get much closer to the action than at the Black Bear Biker Den!

Two queen bedrooms, bathroom with tub/shower, laundry machines, and a fully stocked kitchen. Black Bear Biker Den is one of the closest vacation rentals to the world famous Tail of the Dragon with 318 curves and 11 miles. Ideal location for motorcycles, cars, and adventure seekers going hiking, fishing, or kayaking/white wa
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1 CommentComment on Facebook

Just stayed for 5 days Memorial Week, 10/10 would recommend. Great views, atmosphere and host. Will definitely be back!

1 day ago

Alrighty Dragon slayers, if you're heading this way, add this one to the list. With a view like that, you may even skip a few rides to just take it all in.

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 & secl
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4 CommentsComment on Facebook

Did not load specifically to this home, just their generic landing page. Any chance they nicknamed their property on AirBnB?

Notre prochaine visite on va vérifier c’est certain 🏍️🌞

Is it easy MC access?

🌟🍽️ Discover Quill's Canteen at Fontana Village! 🍽️🌟
Nestled at the heart of Fontana Village, Quill’s Canteen is where authentic Appalachia meets modern culinary flair! 🌲✨ Dive into an array of regional specialties and North Carolina classics that will delight your taste buds. 🥳

🦈 Carolina Trout: Fresh and flavorful, a true taste of the region!
🍔 Appalachian Smash Burger: Juicy and packed wi
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Discover Lynn's Place in Robbinsville, NC! 🍽️🌄
Nestled in the heart of Downtown Robbinsville, Lynn’s Place is your go-to spot for soulful, homemade American cuisine! 🇺🇸🍴 Immerse yourself in the rich flavors of the Carolina Mountains, where every dish is crafted with love. 💖👩‍🍳
Whether you're craving classic comfort foods or something new to tantalize your taste buds, Lynn’s Place serves up t
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27 CommentsComment on Facebook

They need to bring back the salad bar!

Mmm, great burgers

Is this place on the right side headed North 129

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