One of America’s best roads, US Highway 129 at Deals Gap, offers both car and bike enthusiasts alike a driving experience like no other. With 318 curves in 11 miles carving through the Great Smoky Mountains between North Carolina and Tennessee, drivers and machines are put to the test while enjoying some of the best scenery the Appalachian mountains have to offer.
This incredible road is better known as “Tail of the Dragon,” and is frequented by motoring enthusiasts from around the world. With its excitement comes danger, with so many banks, elevation changes, blind corners, cliffs, and mountain walls, crashes and even fatalities are common here. Driving this road isn’t for the inexperienced or faint of heart, especially for those that want a more aggressive and spirited experience.
If you’re planning a trip to Tail of the Dragon, I can’t recommend enough to go during Fall, specifically mid-to-late October. Temperatures stay mild, which is important for good turbo weather and keeping engines cool, but also makes for beautiful views and a more pleasant stay. Stay at the nearby Fontana Village Resort and Marina for best access to the Dragon.
And lastly, before visiting, do a little research. Prepare your car or bike, make sure brakes and tires are in top notch shape. Check fluids, do your routine maintenance, and watch a view videos on passes through the Dragon. This is an incredibly fun road, but it’s become increasingly popular. Traffic can be heavier depending on the day. Stay in your lane. Pull off for faster traffic at the numerous pull off areas. Don’t tailgate. And most importantly, have fun.
Photos by Killboy.com, 129photos.com, and 129slayer.com 📸 Photographers are posted at numerous corners around Tail of the Dragon sun up to sun down, 7 days per week.
