Tail of the Dragon

318 curves in 11 miles. The legendary US-129 stretch across the NC/TN border.

9 mi
Length
5
Verified stops
2,030 ft
High point
Scenic
Road type

What you'll hit along the way.

Rider-verified stops, overlooks, fuel, and the corners worth knowing about — in the order you'll meet them.

Mile 0.0

NC Entrance (Deals Gap)

The famous south end of the Dragon — Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort, the Tree of Shame, and the photo-of-the-day kiosks are all right here.

Mile 0.8

Cooper Radar Straight

A brief breather between the first set of curves — also the spot the law likes to sit, so mind your speed.

Mile 4.5

Killboy Corner

One of the famous photo locations halfway through — Killboy and 129slayer photographers stake out this bend on busy days.

Mile 8.2

Pearly Gates

A tight decreasing-radius bend near the TN end with limited sight lines — earn its name by surviving the entry.

Mile 8.7

Tabcat Bridge (TN end)

The Dragon dumps out here onto the Foothills Parkway corridor — turn around and ride it back, or push north toward Maryville.

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