129 Tail of the Dragon – Road Back Open!
July 10, 2010 by Godfather · Comments Off
The rock slide that left part of 129, known as Tail of the Dragon, closed on the Tennessee side (between the Dragon and Happy Valley Road/Foothills Parkway) IS NOW OPEN!
Get out and enjoy the ride!
Z-Dayz 2010 at the Dragon
February 17, 2010 by TracyZ · Leave a Comment
May 17-23, 2010 - The ZdayZ group returns for its 7th year at the Dragon at Deals Gap and the Tail of Dragon, NC. Fontana Village Resort, just off Hellbender Highway 28, will be the headquarters for this event catering to Datsun/Nissan Z-car, Infiniti G35/G37, and GTR sports car enthusiasts.
Last year saw their largest gathering so far with 446 registered attendees and 281 registered vehicles. For more information on the 2010 event visit: http://www.zdayz.com/
ZdayZ 2009
March 9, 2009 by TracyZ · Comments Off
On May 28-31, 2009 the ZdayZ event returns for its 6th year at the Dragon at Deals Gap and the Tail of Dragon. Fontana Village Resort at the foothills of the Smoky Mountains will be the headquarters for this event catering to Datsun/Nissan Z-car, Infiniti G35/G37, and GTR sports car enthusiasts.
While the main focus of ZDayZ is driving the local roads, there are also plenty of activities including:
- Car Show,
- Drive in Movie,
- Two Concerts
- Onsite Vendors
- Bonfire
- TSD and Prize Rally
- Exhaust Soundoff
- Scavenger Hunt
- and MORE!
Visit ZdayZ.com for registration and information.
Thunder in the Smokies Rally
March 9, 2009 by TracyZ · Leave a Comment
Motorcycle enthusiasts are heading to Maggie Valley, North Carolina on April 24-26, 2009 for the Handlebar Corral’s spring Thunder in the Smokies Rally. Enjoy scenic roads, vendors, bands, bike shows, and a Sunday Pancake Breakfast.
Be sure to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway, slay the Dragon, hike Mingo Falls by Cherokee, and tour Wheels Through Time Museum while you are in town.
For more information on the Thunder in the Smokies Rally visit the Handlebar Corral site.
CHEOAH RIVER RELEASE SCHEDULE 2009
The Cheoah River offers nine miles of heart pounding whitewater adventure running along US Hwy 129. Just a few minutes from the famous Tail of the Dragon and the Dragon at Deals Gap, this area is well known to motor enthusiasts for its 318 turns in 11 miles. Now the twists and turns take to the river with Class IV+ rapids. This a limited release river with the following scheduled dates for 2009
- February 21-22
- March 14-15
- April 4-5, 18-19, 25-26
- May 9-10, 16-17, 30-31
- June 20-21
- November 7-8
For more information on the Cheoah River visit the Nantahala Outdoor Center. They also offer family style rafting most of the year on the Class II-III waters of the Nantahala River.
10 Tips for Slaying the Dragon
August 29, 2008 by Godfather · 2 Comments
So, you are making your first of what is sure to become many trips to the Dragon. You are probably excited and perhaps a little bit nervous. That is understandable – 318 curves in 11 miles! Ask any “Dragon Slayer” and Read more
Don’t Miss the Top Ten!
You’re visiting the area and wondering, “What do I not want to miss?” Here are the top ten things to catch in the Robbinsville, NC area. Read more
Dragon to Skyway Loop
August 19, 2008 by TracyZ · 3 Comments
After years of riding the Smoky Mountains around Deals Gap one of our favorite rides is still the Dragon – Skyway Loop. Start the morning riding the Dragon at Deals Gap complete with 318 turns in 11 miles. Drop down into the valley and loop around to Tellico plains for a stop at the beautiful Bald River Falls. Then head back over the Cherohala Skyway for breathtaking views and mile high elevations ending back at Robbinsville NC.
You can make this a half day to a full day trip depending on how many stops you make along the way. Here we share the details of the route along with Read more
Blue Ridge Parkway
June 28, 2008 by Godfather · 2 Comments
Just 53 miles from The Tail of the Dragon is the entrance to the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the most visited roads in America’s National Park System. Extending along the Blue Ridge Mountains, this scenic Parkway offers incredible views year round but especially during the fall when the trees display their spectacular autumn colors.
A Depression era project, the Parkway connects Shenandoah National Park in Virginia (Milepost 0) with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee, North Carolina (Milepost 469). Boasting over 200 Read more
The Dragon at Deals Gap
June 28, 2008 by Godfather · 4 Comments
318 curves in 11 miles!
Throw out stats like that and you can immediately feel your heartbeat race. Whether your passion is on two wheels or four, the Dragon on US 129 is a thrill. Read more
