What is the best time of day to drive the tail of the dragon?

Avoid riding hard on the Dragon in heavy traffic times. Weekends from 11 am to 5 pm are the busiest. These are the times to lay back and watch the "show". The early mornings (before 11 am) and the late afternoons (after 5 pm) have the least traffic.
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What is the best time to ride the Tail of the Dragon?

The primary season is April through October. March and November can be iffy, especially in the higher elevations of the Cherohala Skyway, Blue Ridge Parkway and US 441 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
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What is the accident rate on Tail of the Dragon?

Additionally, on the Tennessee side of the Tail of the Dragon, there were a total of 165 crashes in 2020 and 2021, 123 of which involved motorcycles, including nine fatalities – all motorcyclists. “Summer is the time of year for family vacations and outdoor activities,” said Tennessee Highway Patrol Col.
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Where is the best place to start the Tail of the Dragon?

Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is a popular starting point for those who want to explore the Tail of the Dragon. It is a bustling town that offers a range of accommodations, restaurants, and shops for visitors.
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Is the Tail of the Dragon worth it?

It is a nice 11 mile, curvy ride. The pull off at mile 8 is beautiful as well. Cross this one off my bucket list. Don't forget to purchase your photos from the "paparazzi" that hang out there.
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Deals Gap & Tail of the Dragon: 10 Things to Know Before Going

Is the Tail of the Dragon hard to ride?

The Tail of the Dragon is not a difficult road to ride. And with a few tips and tricks, it can be an unforgettable experience.
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How long does it take to drive the dragon tail?

You'll want to set aside about a half-hour or so to tackle the Tail of the Dragon. The speed limit is a strict 30 miles per hour, and you definitely don't want to push it. You could certainly devote more time to the drive, given there are a few pullouts along the way.
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How many times do you have to shoot the dragon tail?

You need to shoot the dragons tail when you are underneath the bridge. It should take about 20 arrows to do it. Shooting the dragon itself will yeild you nothing.
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How many curves are on the Tail of the Dragon?

The area is popular with sports car and motorcycle enthusiasts, who cross the gap into Tennessee to drive along the "Tail of the Dragon", famous for its 318 curves in 11 miles (18 km).
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What is the fastest time at the Tail of the Dragon?

The overall record was 18 minutes, or 9 minutes one-way (62 mph average).
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How many people have died on Tail of the Dragon road?

29 deaths on the 11 mile section of roadway known as "The Dragon".
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Do cops patrol the Tail of the Dragon?

You will usually see the Blount County Sheriff's cars on 129 along the Little Tennessee River straight-aways and sitting at the Tabcat Creek Bridge. Tennessee Sheriff and Highway Patrol units routinely patrol the Tail of the Dragon.
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Who takes photos on Tail of the Dragon?

Photographers posted on the road from March thru October, and offseason during the weekends when the weather is nice. Order your Tail of the Dragon photos from the Killboy photographers stationed at the Dragon and occasionally on the Moonshiner and Cherohala Skyway.
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Is there a speed limit on Tail of the Dragon?

Speed Limit. The Speed limit is 30 mph on both the North Carolina and Tennessee side of the Tail. It is enforced, especially for showboats and squids.
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Where is the Tree of Shame?

Home The American Experience The Tree of Shame at the mouth of the Tail of the Dragon at Deal's Gap Motorcylce Resort in NC. Displays pieces of vehicles that crashed on the famous strip of highway.
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How many switchbacks are on the tail of the dragon?

The Great Smoky Mountains

One such stretch of US 129, the Tail of the Dragon, runs for 11 miles from North Carolina to Tennessee. And it's not just the name that attracts drivers from around the world to this stretch of asphalt; It's the 318 curves that one has to negotiate along its length.
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Is Tail of the Dragon crowded?

Avoid the Dragon during heavy traffic times. Weekends from 11 am to 5 pm are the busiest. These are the times to lay back and watch the "show". The early mornings (before 11 am) and the late afternoons (after 5 pm) have the least traffic.
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How hard is the Tail of the Dragon?

The Tail of the Dragon is a popular motorcycle ride but there are other rides that are more challenging and fun to ride. The Dragon's claim to fame is 318 curves in 11 miles. The ride is challenging but probably more from staying away from other bikes, cars & trucks coming into your lane more than anything else.
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What is the curviest road in NC?

Taming 'The Dragon'

Deal's Gap (The Dragon) — US Highway 129, connecting Western North Carolina with East Tennessee, is world-famous among motorcyclists and sports car drivers, for its eleven-mile section with 318 continuous curves.
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What is the average speed of Tail of the Dragon?

The round trip time was then divided by two. The Deals Gap Riding Society record for an amateur rider was a 22 minute round trip run, which averaged out to 11 minutes (50.7 mph average). The overall record was 18 minutes, or 9 minutes one-way (62 mph average).
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How long does it take to ride the Tail of the Dragon on motorcycle?

Since the road gets more crowded as the day goes on (especially on weekends), plan to start early. And if you're traveling by motorcycle, don't forget your helmet—they're required for both drivers and passengers in North Carolina and Tennessee. It will take about 30 minutes to drive the Dragon's 11 exhilarating miles.
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How long of a ride is the Tail of the Dragon?

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.
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What is the best direction to ride the Tail of the Dragon?

From a safety standpoint, the northbound has far less situations where the big dropoffs are an issue. Most of those hairpins/switchbacks put northbound on the outside of the turn. Southbound would be the opposite.
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Can regular cars drive Tail of dragon?

The Dragon's Tail features 318 curves along an 11-mile stretch of road. The paved, two-lane road is mostly flat, unlike the steep mountain roads of the West Coast. While motorcycles typically perform best on the Tail, newer Mustangs and other sports cars can still take on this challenge.
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Why is Tail of the Dragon so popular?

Over nine miles, 300 corners of the Deal's Gap pass wind through Tennessee into North Carolina mark what is better known as the Tail of the Dragon. It has developed a cult following as a cathedral for cars, the sort of place you can spend years mastering.
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