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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

Winter Comes

We have closed our T-shirt Shack for the 2023 season, but you can still get Tail of the Dragon gear in our on-line store. Check-out our Big Holiday Discounts.

The Tail of the Dragon Highway (US129) remains open through the winter months, but check the weather before heading this way. There are still good riding/driving days even in the winter months.

Our T-shirt Shack will reopen in early March weather permitting.

There are plans to repave the Tail of the Dragon this summer. Specific details will not be availble until after the contract is let in March. The disruption to traffic has been minimal in past repavings. Only short sections of the road will be one lane as the work progresses. We will be posing more when TDOT updates their plans after March.

The most recent paving took place in June 2002. It was during the week of Honda Hoot in Knoxville and caused very little if any problems at the Tail. 

1940s Bridal Veil Falls on Moonshiner 28. Note car is driving under the falls. This was before they rerouted the pavement. These were the days when they never shut down a highway because of winter conditions.

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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Cover for Tail of the Dragon
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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

Get ready to drive. If you're planning a ride/drive through the Smokies but prefer to spend your time exploring instead of planning, these are your people!

The Details from the Smoky Mountain Drives Team:
At Smoky Mountain Drives we organize driving adventures where like minded car enthusiasts can drive through the gorgeous scenery and amazing roads of the Great Smoky Mountains, all while enjoying great company! The roads of Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina are destination drives where people travel from all over the world to explore this region. All of the major exotic car rallies have made this area their drive destination, as well as iconic manufacturers such as Lamborghini, Porsche and even Pagani.

Being local to these Great Smoky Mountains allows us to provide value packed events where car enthusiasts from a variety of backgrounds are treated to driving events that are second to none! On our drives, there is nothing else to think about. We have done the planning, the route selection, the driving notes, identified fuel stops, found fantastic hotels and eating spots! All you need to do is show up and be prepared to drive!

website: www.smokymountaindrives.com/
social: www.facebook.com/smokymountaindrives/
social: www.instagram.com/smokymountaindrives_/
865-385-2888
... See MoreSee Less

Get ready to drive. If youre planning a ride/drive through the Smokies but prefer to spend your time exploring instead of planning, these are your people! 

The Details from the Smoky Mountain Drives Team: 
At Smoky Mountain Drives we organize driving adventures where like minded car enthusiasts can drive through the gorgeous scenery and amazing roads of the Great Smoky Mountains, all while enjoying great company! The roads of Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina are destination drives where people travel from all over the world to explore this region. All of the major exotic car rallies have made this area their drive destination, as well as iconic manufacturers such as Lamborghini, Porsche and even Pagani. 

Being local to these Great Smoky Mountains allows us to provide value packed events where car enthusiasts from a variety of backgrounds are treated to driving events that are second to none! On our drives, there is nothing else to think about. We have done the planning, the route selection, the driving notes, identified fuel stops, found fantastic hotels and eating spots! All you need to do is show up and be prepared to drive!

website: https://www.smokymountaindrives.com/
social: https://www.facebook.com/smokymountaindrives/
social: https://www.instagram.com/smokymountaindrives_/
865-385-2888Image attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment

1 CommentComment on Facebook

How often people cross the centreline? Thinkin' 'bout going there with my bike.

Enjoy Maryville’s finest BBQ and other delicious meals at THE SHED SMOKEHOUSE on your way to the Tail of the Dragon! They smoke all their meat on-premises and prepare all of the food fresh for order.

Located adjacent to Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson®, The Shed is Maryville’s best spot for beer, food, cocktails, and of course some moonshine!

The Smokehouse is also home to the famous Smokin’ Monkey Lounge! Enjoy TV’s, great music, and the friendliest people in the south! Bike nights, concerts, special events, we do it all!

Details here: www.theshedmaryville.com/
... See MoreSee Less

Enjoy Maryville’s finest BBQ and other delicious meals at THE SHED SMOKEHOUSE on your way to the Tail of the Dragon!  They smoke all their meat on-premises and prepare all of the food fresh for order.

Located adjacent to Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson®, The Shed is Maryville’s best spot for beer, food, cocktails, and of course some moonshine! 

The Smokehouse is also home to the famous Smokin’ Monkey Lounge! Enjoy TV’s, great music, and the friendliest people in the south! Bike nights, concerts, special events, we do it all!

Details here: https://www.theshedmaryville.com/Image attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment

9 CommentsComment on Facebook

Lora would you go here with me

Billy Rawlings we need to ride out for lunch soon🍻

We will this summer 👍🏻🤟🏻😎

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Since March 2003, this family-owned restaurant has been making an impressions in Robbinsville, NC, making it a favorite hang-out spot for both locals and visitors.

Located at the heart of Downtown Robbinsville, Lynn’s Place is a soulful neighborhood restaurant, dishing up homemade American cuisine rooted in the Carolina Mountains honoring family recipes.

Enjoy the salad bar with freshly cut veggies, seasonal fruits, proteins and grains. Mouth-watering homemade desserts, hand-cut steaks, fresh hamburgers and much more! Everything is cooked to order to ensure the highest quality!

Experience a warm atmosphere with great food and southern hospitality where family and friends can sit back, relax and feel at home.
... See MoreSee Less

Since March 2003, this family-owned restaurant has been making an impressions in Robbinsville, NC, making it a favorite hang-out spot for both locals and visitors.

Located at the heart of Downtown Robbinsville, Lynn’s Place is a soulful neighborhood restaurant, dishing up homemade American cuisine rooted in the Carolina Mountains honoring family recipes.

Enjoy the salad bar with freshly cut veggies, seasonal fruits, proteins and grains. Mouth-watering homemade desserts, hand-cut steaks, fresh hamburgers and much more! Everything is cooked to order to ensure the highest quality!

Experience a warm atmosphere with great food and southern hospitality where family and friends can sit back, relax and feel at home.

31 CommentsComment on Facebook

Always good food and friendly people.

This was our favored stop on the journey to ride the Tail of the Dragon and the many area rides. Their hospitality was fantastic, don't forget to order their sweet tea!

Love Lynn's place. We can't wait to go back this year.

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Great food and riverside views. Need we say more? Plan a stop at Tapoco Tavern for a real treat after a day of riding. Grab the details here: tapocolodge.com/

Tapoco Lodge
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Great food and riverside views. Need we say more? Plan a stop at Tapoco Tavern for a real treat after a day of riding. Grab the details here: https://tapocolodge.com/ 

Tapoco Lodge

22 CommentsComment on Facebook

Love this place been staying here the last 3 yrs and going back this fall!!

Beautiful place and great food

Delicious food, great atmosphere, fun and friendly staff who make you feel like family! Can't wait to go back.

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If you're looking for delicious food, this is it! Stop by, grab what's certain to be your new favorite meal in town, and thank us later. For those who are in the know, what's your favorite order from T.Dubb's? ... See MoreSee Less

If youre looking for delicious food, this is it! Stop by, grab whats certain to be your new favorite meal in town, and thank us later. For those who are in the know, whats your favorite order from T.Dubbs?Image attachmentImage attachment+2Image attachment

29 CommentsComment on Facebook

Dogzilla! Our favorite as locals.

My favorite is the pork grilled cheese 🤤

My lord that looks delish...love the portions in the U.S. of A!

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