Conquering the Dragon: Motorcycling the Tail of the Dragon in the Off-Season

If you’re thinking of motorcycling the Tail of the Dragon, especially in the off-season, read this guide first!

What is the Tail of the Dragon?

The Tail of the Dragon, otherwise known as US Highway 129, is one of the most famous roads in the US for motorcyclists and sports car enthusiasts, and for good reason! This road got its claim to fame due to having 318 curves in only 11 miles.

I went in March (definitely the off-season) with my boyfriend to finally conquer the dragon! We flew into Atlanta, rented a car to drive up to the Smoky Mountains, then rented a motorcycle to enjoy the ride.

While the road would have been much more beautiful in the summer or fall, in the off-season we had the advantage of no one being around.

Already planning on going? Get some packing tips in this guide to motorcycle travel

Where does the Tail of the Dragon start and end?

The Tail of the Dragon starts in Deals Gap, the intersection of NC 28 and US 129, and ends in Tennessee at the Tabcat Creek Bridge.

At Deals Gap, there is a motorcycle inn, a restaurant, and some shops for you to buy some souvenirs. There is also a dragon statue that makes for a great photo op, and the famous “Tree of Shame”. This tree has motorcycle and car parts wrapped all around it from vehicles that have crashed on the Tail of the Dragon.

Stop for a bite, buy a T-shirt or some souvenirs, and get started on the ride!

Is the motorcycling the Tail of the Dragon dangerous?

In my opinion, no, the Tail of the Dragon was definitely not one of the worst rides (as in difficulty level) that I’ve done. What is dangerous, are the riders and cars that try to go way too fast around curves, sometimes above their skill level, or by pressuring the person in front to go faster than they are able.

Take your time on the ride and you’ll be fine!

When is the best time of year to ride the Tail of the Dragon?

Probably the best time of year to ride the Tail of the Dragon would be early summer or in the fall. In May, the landscape is green and luscious, before it starts to get too hot. In the fall, you’ll have cooler temperatures, plus the added benefits of seeing all the leaves change colors for the fall.

However, with the riding season, also com I ames the crowds. We went in mid March and the road was fairly empty, but I’ve heard in the warmer months it can be very crowded and difficult to enjoy the road.

Where to stay when riding the Tail of the Dragon

We stayed at the Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge, which is a popular spot for many motorcyclists, with an on-site restaurant and nightly events by the fire. The property was absolutely beautiful, but we were visiting in the off-season, so we were the only guests! I would have loved to experience it in the high season.

Otherwise, we wish we kinda would have liked to stay in one of the nearby towns, just for a bit more of liveliness.

McKinley Edwards Inn – Cute inn located in Bryson City, a nice little town full of boutiques and some nice restaurants

Is there a speed limit on Tail of the Dragon?

Yes, the speed limit is 30 miles per hour. While that may not seem like a lot, there are so many curves that you need to be going slow. There are also photographers on various corners so don’t let it surprise you as you come out of a curve.

How long does it take to ride Tail of the Dragon?

The road is only 11 miles long so it can take around 30 minutes or so depending on traffic and your style of riding. After that, you can decide if you want to continue onto the foothills of the smoky mountains or go back and do the ride over again.

Places to Eat Near the Tail of the Dragon

Peaceside Brewery – cute restaurant and brewery on the Tennessee side

Deals Gap – the start of the Tail of the Dragon with a grill restaurant

Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro – a Townsend staple and something besides sandwiches and grill food

Is the Tail of the Dragon worth it?

The ride is incredibly short (only 11 miles long) so a lot of people don’t think it’s worth it. I actually really enjoyed the ride, along with the motorcycle culture attached with it so, in my opinion, I think it’s definitely worth it to do at least once in your life.

if we wouldn’t have gone in the off-season lol it could’ve been a completely different experience. I have heard that in the summer there are lines for days and you can’t even believe enjoy the ride. However, I would have loved to see the fall colors if we would’ve went a bit later on. I guess there are pros and cons to both!