The Tail of the Dragon Road

The Tail of the Dragon Road - 318 curves in 11 miles; Ride America's number one motorcycle and sports car journey!

It was a buffalo trail years ago, then in 1934, it became US 129. The stomping ground of  bootleggers and hunters, movies like Thunder Road and Two Lane Blacktop helped it become known to motorcycle enthusiasts as The Tail of the Dragon Road. Deals Gap is home to 318 curves in 11 miles and is a playground for motorcycles.

Do you believe that the speed limit used to be 55 miles per hour? Once you ride or drive this beast, you will find that very hard to believe. The speed limit now is 30 Miles per hour, and there are still many that go quite faster.

US Highway 129 runs from Knoxville, Tennessee, through Alcoa, Tennessee, then into Deals Gap. This is where it turns into the The Tail of the Dragon Road. After a semi-straightaway just past the junction of Highway 129 and 72, you pass the Foothills Parkway and over bridge. This is where the climb and curves get interesting!

The Tail of the Dragon Road runs through Deals Gap and is an extremely popular place to go driving or riding a motorcycle. Only 11 miles long, but with 318 curves, it is a thrilling ride! With names like Wheelie Hell, Copperhead Corner, Gravity Cavity, and Brake of Bust Bend, you can bet these sharp curves have earned their names. While riding the Tail of the Dragon Road, you feel like you are following the path of one of these mighty beasts!! The curves remind you of the medieval creature itself.

No need to be concerned about other traffic pulling out in front of you from the sides. There is nothing but forest and beautiful scenery on either side of The Tail of the Dragon Road. It borders the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, so no development can be done here.

Be sure to stop on one of the Scenic overlooks. There is a really popular overlook about a third of way of The Tail of the Dragon Road that many pull off on. Some weekend Saturdays, there are so many motorcycles stopped there that is can be hard to squeeze in another one. The lake is below you, with the Dam just on your right, and you stand there is awe of the beauty that the mountain surrounding the lake bring to your senses.

The Tail of the Dragon road is one of several in this beautiful area. Be sure to ride the Cherohala Skyway, rising to around a mile high. The curves are not as sharp, and the view is spectacular! Make it a loop by adding in Highway 28 otherwise known as the Hellbender. Ride past Fontana Dam for even more spectacular scenery and yes, more curves.

A big part of the attraction is how many really sharp curves you will encounter in such a short route. A roller coaster brings you very close to the feeling of riding the Tail of the Dragon road. It is like a parade of Motorcycles on the summer weekends.

This place is a popular motorcycle and sports car destination for locals and tourists. Many drivers and riders are seen from spring through fall - here to experience the thrill and scenery. The best motorcycle road in the United States is what the Tail of the Dragon Road is known as. With mostly motorcycle traffic, and 318 curves, all of them different, it is no wonder. The pull-offs make it easier to allow others to pass by if you would rather take your time than rush through the Tail of the Dragon Road.