Where can I park my vehicle and trailer near the Dragon?
There are miles of gravel parking areas along the Little Tennessee River on US 129 just to the north of the Dragon. We do not recommend overnight parking here and camping is not allowed. On the North Carolina side of the Dragon there is parking at Cheoah Dam (Fugitive Dam) just three miles away. There are a number of other parking areas along US 129 and the river just to the south of Tapoco. >>CLICK HERE FOR MAP PARK AT GREEN ARROWS AT EACH END OF MAP
How much does it cost to ride the Dragon?
When is the road open to the public?
How much is the toll at Toll Booth?
Do they close the road for the various rallies or for racing?
The Dragon is
Federal Highway
US
129 and is free for the public to enjoy at any time. It may be closed for short periods due to downed trees and when the highway is blocked by accidents. The Dragon has never been closed for racing or rallies. Traffic has been stopped for 15 minutes at a time while filming commercials. The last tolls taken at Toll Booth were in the early 1900s when the land was privately owned. US 129 was closed for two days in early August 2007 when a truck carrying recyclable paper flips over near Picnic Tables. The road was damaged as heavy equipment had to be brought in the clear the wreck.
Who counted the 318 curves and what defines a curve?
The 318 in 11 was first mentioned by Pete Leary, owner of the Crossroads of Time Motel and Gas Station located at the Gap. He told this to Doug Snavely in 1992. Many people have counted the curves and all come-up with different totals. To us a curve is each time you have to readjust your steering. One corner, say a decreasing radius, will have several curves in it as you turn the wheel more or back.
How do I get to the Dragon?
SEE THIS PAGE >>CLICK HERE
What is the difference between Tail of the Dragon and Deals Gap?
Nothing ..... both are names for the 11 mile section of road. It is known as Deals Gap, the Dragon, and Tail of the Dragon. Locals call it "that dam road to Tennessee". Tail of the Dragon is also the Registered Trade Mark of our company. It is a different company than Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort. Both companies represent the same road but sell different products and services.
Is the Dragon really as dangerous as it sounds?
No …. The most dangerous aspect of the Dragon is in the rider/driver’s skills. The average rider/driver who stays alert, watches their speed, practices defensive riding/driving techniques, and does not overreact by swerving or over-braking has much better odds of conquering the Dragon than surviving on city streets and Interstates.
What about the trucks? The pictures of trucks make it look too dangerous to ride.
Truck traffic has declined over the past few years. By publicizing the problems they encounter and contacting some of the major transport companies we have managed to greatly reduce the number of semis on the Dragon. We rarely see semis on the weekends and perhaps an average of one or two pass over the Dragon on weekdays. Your best defense is to stay alert, keep your speeds reasonable, stop short of the corner the truck is coming through and pull over as far as you can in a straight section to let them by. Many of the vehicle vs. truck accidents we have seen over the years could have been avoided using these defensive measures.
Why are trucks even allowed on the Dragon?
US 129 is a
Federal Highway
. Unless it is absolutely impossible for large trucks to make the corners the authorities are hesitant to restrict such traffic. The nearest routes over the mountains are at some distance. I-40 is 50 miles to the north and US 64 is 40 miles to the south. Truck traffic is not allowed over US 441 through the
Great
Smoky
Mountain
National Park
. We do see a few trucks come over the Cherohala Skyway, but since it is only a
State Route
, it is not highly visible on a map.
To the unsuspecting driver US 129 looks like a good route between
Knoxville
and north
Georgia
. Once they see how bad it is they are committed to keep going because there is no place to turn around. The warning signs recently placed on each side of the Dragon just do not get the attention of some drivers.
Is there a death every week?
No. The fatality rate has averaged under two deaths a year for the past 10 years. Most of these have been the result of speed and over-braking.
Is law enforcement out to get all the bikers on the Dragon?
No. Like any public highway there is enforcement at times. The speed limit is 30 mph and we have seen hand held stationary radar and rolling radar on cars and bikes. Stay within reason and you will not attract undo attention from the LEOs.
There are times when the Blount County Sheriff or the Tennessee Highway Patrol will “target” the Dragon with increased enforcement so you’ll need to stay alert and ride smart to avoid getting a request to come back and see the judge. Watch for other riders signaling you to slow down or tapping the top of their helmet.
Who are the photographers on the Dragon and how do we find our photos?
Go to the various websites and search for your photos by date. You can order the ones you like. Here are links to the various photographers on the Dragon:
KILLBOY
MOONSHINE PHOTOS
US129 PHOTOS
When is the best time to visit the Dragon?
SEE THIS PAGE CLICK HERE
What is the best way to have a safe ride/drive on the Dragon?
SEE THESE PAGES CLICK HERE FOR MOTORCYCLING or CLICK HERE FOR CARS