So, I have indeed been to the Tail of the Dragon (Again)! A couple of times actually but these times have been with my 1997 Amaranth MGF. Previously I have taken other MGs and covered those trips in an earlier Tail of the Dragon article.
In both 2024 and 2025 visits I have combined my dragon slaying with attending the Springtime in the Smokies car show. Its a nice show and a very friendly and welcoming group of people that put on the event. It happens on the 2nd Saturday in May each year.
Tail of the Dragon is a stretch of road that has 318 curves in 11 miles. This road is officially US129 and the Tail of the Dragon stretch is basically the last 11 miles of the road that is in Tennessee and then continues on into North Carolina. If you search for Deal’s Gap on a maps application, that’s the southern end of it, in North Carolina. It’s a well known and publicized driving and motorcycle route. There are other scenic drives in the area as well. Because the route is so well known it can be extremely busy. It is a public road. This means you get all sorts of vehicles there.
2024 Professional Photos
As mentioned before the road is so popular, there are professional photographers out on popular sections and corners. You should pay attention to the time you are on the road. This will aid you in finding your photos and the photographers sort by time the photo is taken. For my 2024 visit I purchased pictures from Killboy and 129Photos.
Killboy Photos
Unfortunately these were taken when an good stretch of open road wasn’t available to me. As such, not showing the cars performance on this road as good as it was.
129 Photos Pictures
These photos were better from the action point of view. No other cars in front of me allowing me to enjoy the road fully.
Video Memories 2024
Nothing can do the experience of the Tail of the Dragon justice. Neither photos nor videos. However, they do serve as a good reminder of a fun time. A relatively short snippet as I didn’t get to record a good clean run.
Back Again In 2025
As I enjoyed the Springtime in the Smokies car show so much I went again in 2025. I also worked in another couple of trips to the Tail of the Dragon. I also added in a scenic drive in North Carolina taking in some of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Personal Photos 2025
Here are a few of my own trip pictures.
Mountains National Park
Mountains National Park
Metropolis IL
Professional Photos 2025
In 2025 I likes a lot of the pictures taken and there was an additional photography firm operating, 129 Slayer. Also that area had been affected by post hurricane flooding and hit pretty hard. I decided to purchase additional photos beyond what I might otherwise have done to put a little extra into the economy and also to help the photographers who diligently work their corners on the Tail of the Dragon.
Killboy
129 Photos
129 Slayer
I feel certain there are other great roads to enjoy. I need to do some additional research and planning. However, the combination of the Springtime in the Smokies car show and the option to drive on The Tail of the Dragon is a winning one.
