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Tail of the Dragon – Deals Gap-Welcome to NC📷 Washuotaku, CC BY-SA 4.0

Tail of the Dragon

Robbinsville, NC

Views

US-129 at Deals Gap: 318 curves in 11 miles. Popular with motorcyclists; not for long RVs.

Nearest town
Robbinsville, NC
Category
Scenic viewpoints
GPS
35.4670, -83.9200

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Featured in these trip guides

Great Smoky Mountains and the Tail of the Dragon – people standing on tower over looking trees under cloudy skyPhoto by Kirk Thornton on Unsplash
129
Scenic byways

Great Smoky Mountains and the Tail of the Dragon

77 mi5 stops2 days

Nearby

Cades Cove - October 2023 - Sarah Stierch 01© Missvain · CC BY 4.0
Editor's pick
Nature

Cades Cove

Townsend, TN
Look Rock, Foothills Parkway – 2017-05-17 19 41 30 Panoramic view east and south from the Look Rock Observation Tower at Look Rock along Foothills Parkway in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, within Blount County, Tennessee© Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0
Views

Look Rock, Foothills Parkway

Walland, TN
Elkmont Campground – Great Smoky Mountain Fireflies - panoramio (1)© Rick Shu · CC BY-SA 3.0
Camping

Elkmont Campground

Gatlinburg, TN
Clingmans Dome observation tower TN1© Acroterion · CC BY-SA 4.0
Editor's pick
Views

Clingmans Dome

Bryson City, NC

Campsites nearby

  • Deals Gap Motorcycle ResortCampsite
    0 mi from Tail of the Dragon
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Citico Site 1Campsite
    11 mi from Tail of the Dragon
    TentsCaravansDogs allowedFree
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Look Rock CampgroundCampsite
    12 mi from Tail of the Dragon
    TentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposal
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Notchy Creek CampgroundCampsite
    19 mi from Tail of the Dragon
    Caravans
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Bluebird Valley CampgroundMotorhome stopover
    21 mi from Tail of the Dragon
    MotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Valley River RV ResortMotorhome stopover
    24 mi from Tail of the Dragon
    MotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip

All campsites in North Carolina · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Tail of the Dragon?

Tail of the Dragon is in Robbinsville, NC, at GPS 35.4670, -83.9200. It is about 17 mi from Townsend.

Can you camp near Tail of the Dragon?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 59 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

Which road trips pass Tail of the Dragon?

Tail of the Dragon is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Great Smoky Mountains and the Tail of the Dragon.

What is there to see near Tail of the Dragon?

Places worth a stop nearby: Cades Cove (10 mi), Look Rock, Foothills Parkway (12 mi), Elkmont Campground (23 mi) and Clingmans Dome (25 mi).

When is the best time to visit Tail of the Dragon?

The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)