Conquer the Tail of the Dragon Near Maggie Valley

Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap with 318 curves in 11 miles: America’s number one motorcycle and sports car road. 50 Miles from Maggie Valley, NC.

318 Curves in 11 Miles
Just 50 miles from Maggie Valley, the Tail of the Dragon on US 129 boasts 318 turns packed into an 11-mile stretch—an average of one curve every 183 feet, each with a tight 60° angle and a 29-foot radius. This relentless succession of hairpins, banked bends, and switchbacks has earned its reputation as America’s premier motorcycle and sports-car road Tail of the Dragon.

Bordering Great Smoky & Cherokee Forests
At Deals Gap (elevation 1,988 ft), the Dragon skirts the boundary between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cherokee National Forest. There are no intersecting roads or driveways along the route, so riders and drivers can focus solely on mastering the next turn.

Named Corners & Scenic Pull-Offs
Some of the Dragon’s most notorious curves come with evocative names—Copperhead Corner, Shade Tree Corner, Beginner’s End, and Brake-or-Bust Bend—each offering its own challenge and thrill. Scenery pull-offs like the Calderwood Overlook provide rare straightaways to admire the surrounding peaks and the historic Tapoco hydroelectric dam.

Speed Limit & Safety Upgrades
Once posted at 55 mph, the speed limit was lowered to 30 mph in 2005 to improve safety. Tennessee DOT added earthen berms, paved pull-offs, and extra warning signs after 2009, and the Blount County Rescue Squad maintains a weekend presence during peak season to assist with emergencies Tail of the Dragon.

Beyond the Dragon
Thrill-seekers often pair the Dragon ride with nearby scenic byways like the Cherohala Skyway’s 60 miles of remote mountain highway, the Moonshiner 28, and the famed Blue Ridge Parkway—all within easy reach of our Maggie Valley base.

Ready to Ride?
Whether you’re a seasoned rider or a sports-car enthusiast, the Tail of the Dragon promises the ride of a lifetime. Stay at Meadowlark Motel for secure parking, cozy Appalachian-chic rooms, and live-music evenings at our Speakeasy—your perfect home base after taming the Dragon.

The nearby Cherohala Skyway is quickly becoming a destination too, with its remote 60 miles of breathtaking scenic mountain highway. The area also has other incredible roads like the Moonshiner 28, Foothills Parkway, Smoky Mountain Loop, Devils Triangle, Blue Ridge Parkway, The Gambler NC209, Diamondback 226, Devil’s Staircase, Six Gap North Georgia, The Snake US421 and many Great Forest Service Dual Sport and Jeep Roads.