A true driver’s road
Most winding, mountainous roads caution you to drive slowly and remind you of the dangers surrounding you. Deep drop-offs, falling rocks, drivers cutting over lanes – you name it. The Tail of the Dragon, however, has one sign of caution, which only asks that you stay in your lane. That’s because car enthusiasts who like to tempt fate are racing up and down this scenic drive, almost constantly.
It’s easy to see why Tail of the Dragon is so attractive for drivers, too. On a scenic fall weekday, I drove the Tail of the Dragon no less than seven times, and was blessed with (mostly) open road. It’s a stretch that almost seems designed to be driven aggressively. Unlike many curvy mountain roads, Tail of the Dragon seems to encourage pugnacity rather than restraint. Curves beg you to drop the nose of your car sharply with firm braking so you can speed through the rare (and short) straightaways.
The Tail of the Dragon is a driver’s dream come true
At the intersection of the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest sits the Tail of the Dragon, a road dubbed “America’s most thrilling destination for motorcycle riders and sports car enthusiasts.” The road intersects the state lines for North Carolina and Tennessee, too, and the experience of driving the Tail of the Dragon between the two states is stark. Road conditions on the North Carolina side are more – let’s say “rugged” – than they are on the Tennessee side, which felt freshly paved and cared for.
Approaching the road from the North Carolina side presents opportunities to eat, fuel up, or visit the restroom – but know you’re starting the drive with some of the tightest turns on the 12-mile stretch, so be on your game. The Tennessee entrance is far more scenic, with incredible views of the surrounding hills and Calderwood Lake. Choosing which direction to enter the Tail of the Dragon from can frame your entire visit, too.
Entering from the Tennessee side eases you into the twists and turns; you’re almost tricked into driving Tail of the Dragon. All told, The Tail of the Dragon has over 300 turns in less than 11 miles. Coming into the Tail of the Dragon through Tennessee is thrilling, but a touch less aggressive upfront than North Carolina’s entrance, which I honestly prefer.
North Carolina’s entrance has you scaling uphill almost immediately, with hairpin turns straight away. After you’re offered a chance at a pit stop before entering the drive, you’re dropped right into the thick of it all. The Tail of the Dragon doesn’t ask for your consent – you’re thrust into it. If the road itself is to be likened to an actual dragon’s tail, North Carolina is its end: whippy, sharp, and not to be taken lightly.
As twisty as the road is, it still begs you to drive it at speed and encourages agility. I drove the Tail of the Dragon in several MINIs, all of which handled the road with aplomb. You can speed through less-windy sections (there aren’t many straights), and curves are well designed for those who like to slap the brakes to dip the nose into a turn so they can rocket out of it on the other side. Though we can’t know as much, it’s as if those who initially planned and built the road knew driving enthusiasts would one day seek it out.
Tail of the Dragon is not a track, though. It’s a mountainous road with elevation changes and turns that present the ultimate punishment if you don’t respect them. It’s also a public road, and on the wrong day, you may be driving the Dragon in traffic. If that ends up being you, enjoy the views. When you are lucky enough to have an open road (like I was), keep your eyes forward. Either way, you’ll have a massive smile on your face.
Final thoughts
Eleven miles go by quickly when you’re driving fast. The Tail of the Dragon is a bit like a rollercoaster – and like a rollercoaster, you’ll want to go back for more once the ride is over. It’s a thrilling jaunt that’s worth going out of your way to drive. Because I entered through the North Carolina side, the scenery on the Tennessee side was a bit like the rollercoaster slowing to a stop. There were plenty of places to pull over and catch your breath, but I used those pullouts to turn around and head back for more. Sorry, Tennessee, but I know what a lake looks like; I had a dragon to slay.
