Deals Gap: Experience the Wild and Crazy Tail of the Dragon
Do you love road trips? Well, I have a wild and crazy one for you! Deals Gap is on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina and has the most beautiful stretch of road in America. But what makes it wild and crazy? The portion of the two-lane highway called “Tail of the Dragon” has you driving one of the most technical and challenging roads in America. The Dragon consists of tackling 318 curves in 11 miles bordering the Great Smoky Mountains, which makes the Tail of the Dragon one of the most scenic stretches of road in America. And also one of the most dangerous roads.
Where is the Tail of the Dragon and Deals Gap?
The Tail of the Dragon is a mountain pass along the North Carolina and Tennessee State line by Deals Gap. One of the top five motorcycle rides in the world, this scenic curvy road (US 129), borders the Great Smoky Mountains and is near the Little Tennessee River. To get to Deals Gap from the Tennessee side, it is only 55 miles from Pigeon Forge. If you are coming from North Carolina, Robbinsville is the closest city to Deals Gap and the Tail of the Dragon. You can start or finish the Tail of the Dragon at the intersection of US 129 & NC 28.
Helpful Tip: If you are susceptible to motion sickness, make sure to take Dramamine or wear Sea-Bands as I do. As the roads are incredibly winding and go up and down, the best spot for you is in the driver’s seat. I rode the Dragon in the back seat and felt ill from all the curves. But, when I drove it, the windiness and up and down motion did not bother me.
What is the Tail of the Dragon?
The Tail of the Dragon is America’s #1 motorcycle and sports car road. The name Tail of the Dragon comes from the fact that all the curves resemble a dragon’s tail. With 318 curves to wind around the Great Smoky Mountains in 11 miles, it makes this a car driving enthusiasts dream to drive. The road is also where many car companies bring their test vehicles to check their handling along the curves.
The reason why motorcyclists favor this route is that during this stretch of 11 miles, there are no intersecting roads. Once you start in Deals Gap, you have to stay on this two-lane road until it ends at Lake Santeetlah or vice versa in the other direction. There are a couple of spots where you can pull over to admire the scenery, but for the most part, you are driving from start to finish. The average time to ride the Tail of the Dragon is 25 minutes.
Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort
The Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort can be found at the intersection of US 129 & NC 28. Open from March to November each year; this resort is the only stop for drivers or cyclists tackling the Dragon. When I drove the Dragon, we finished here. The parking lot was packed with motorcycles, either joyously finished or getting ready to tackle the Dragon. You can get snacks or souvenirs, grab lunch, or even stay the night at the resort. This is also a great spot to meet up with other riders undertaking the Dragon and listen to their stories. The Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort is also the only place near the Tail of the Dragon to get gas.
Tree of Shame
The Tree of Shame can be found in the parking lot of the Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort. The Tree of Shame was started back in the 1980s by a bunch of Harley Riders. It was to be a shrine for the riders that weren’t successful and were bitten by the Dragon. Leaving parts of their broken bikes signed and dated, and attached to the tree in the yard, made the Tree of Shame a powerful symbol. The sign on the tree says it all, ” No Gain & a lot of Pain.” Now parts are left at the store for future placement on the tree. But, bear it in mind, the goal is NOT to be added to the Tree of Shame.
Dangers of the Dragon
With some of the hairpin curves called Copperhead Corner, Wheelie Hell, Shade Tree Corner, Mud Corner, Gravity Cavity, Beginner’s End, and Brake or Bust Bend you know that this route is going to be challenging. And with the Tree of Shame bursting of broken motorcycle parts, this road proves it is dangerous. The speed limit along the Trail of the Dragon was 55mph before 1992 and was lowered to 30mph in 2005. Unfortunately, reducing the speed limit has not reduced the number of accidents or deaths along this stretch of road. Since 2000, 37 fatalities have been recorded along this highway. With the increase of motorcycle accidents, police patrols have increased along the route.
Another reason to be careful driving or riding this route is that you might happen to come upon a bear hunt. When I was driving the Dragon, we saw several people with rifles hunting a bear that was seen in the area. There were trucks parked on the side of the road, and people crossing the road back and forth. We even saw the hunting dogs with antennas on their heads to signal the hunters when they found the bear. You never know what will be around the next bend, please be careful!
Just remember to be safe when driving or riding the Tail of the Dragon. Any emergency response takes 45 minutes to an hour to reach this remote area. And as the road is next to cliffs and ravines, if you do have an accident, it might be difficult even to spot you. Remember to follow the rules while on the Dragon or else be warned you will get bit!
Where to Stay in Deals Gap?
The closest hotels are in Robbinsville, North Carolina. But, if you want to stay in Tennessee, Pigeon Forge is a little more than an hour from Deals Gap, which makes it an easy day trip. You can book your stay through the map widget below. Just zoom out to see several accommodations on the Tennessee and North Carolina border.
Summary
For a day trip along the border of Tennessee and North Carolina border, you can enjoy one of the most scenic and adventurous road trips in America. Come and experience the 318 curves within 11 miles of spectacular scenery, hairpin curves, and amazing Smoky Mountain cliffs. And then you can say you beat the Dragon!
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Further Reading
If you are coming to Tennessee for a visit, check out these posts for further travel inspiration:
- Memphis Travel Guide – Weekend in Memphis
- Be a Part of History at The Peabody Hotel
- Unique Things to Do in Memphis
- Things to See on the Graceland Tours
- The Best Memphis Restaurants You Must Try
Wow, it sounds hair raising but lots of fun. Definitely the kind of drive for me provided that I am in the driver’s seat of a high-performance vehicle, of course. ?
Absolutely, Jen! The driver’s spot is the best! But, to tell you the truth any car will do. I did this route in a minivan and it was amazing!
I absolutely love quirky information like this! I did a roadtrip through the States many years ago and am planning another which will take me through Carolina and Tennessee so I’ll definitely be checking out Tail of the Dragon! PS love the tree of shame!
Gabby, you will definitely love this stretch of road! Have fun on your road trip!