Driving the Tail of the Dragon was both terrifying and beautiful. Plus, why the roadside photographers on US 129 are running a clever little business.
What is the Tail of the Dragon?
Before our road trip, I’d heard about the Tail of the Dragon in passing but didn’t really know what it was. So in case you’re like I was, let me catch you up.
The Tail of the Dragon is an 11-mile stretch of US Route 129 that runs between Tennessee and North Carolina. It’s known for one wild fact. There are 318 curves packed into those 11 miles. That’s almost 29 curves per mile, which is insane.
It straddles the border at Deals Gap, which sits between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cherokee National Forest. There are no houses, no driveways, no intersections, and no businesses along the road itself. Just curves, trees, and (sometimes) other drivers and motorcyclists.
You can read all about its history and current conditions on the official Tail of the Dragon website.
Know Before You Go
If you’re planning to drive the Tail of the Dragon for the first time, here are some things you should know:
- The road is two lanes with no shoulders and very few pull-offs, so committed driving is the only option once you start
- We used these pull-offs a LOT to let people pass us…
- There are 318 curves in 11 miles, including some hairpin turns
- Motorcyclists love this road and tend to drive it fast, so be alert for bikes
- Trucks and large vehicles are not recommended (and in some sections, prohibited)
- The road runs between Deals Gap, North Carolina and the Tabcat Creek Bridge in Tennessee
- The Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort sits at one end and is a fun stop for snacks, swag, and the famous Tree of Shame
- I regret we missed seeing this!
- Cell service is spotty to nonexistent along most of the route
- Best weather is dry and clear, since rain makes the curves more dangerous
- Plan extra time, because you’ll want to stop at any pull-off you can find for pictures
- Don’t try to drive it after dark unless you really know the road
Why I Was Nervous
I’m going to be honest with y’all. Windy roads make me anxious.
I’ve never exactly been a fan of mountain driving. The combination of tight curves, steep drops, and unfamiliar terrain stresses me out. So when Jeremy and I decided to add the Tail of the Dragon to our route home from Florida, I was already psyching myself out before we even got there.
Jeremy was driving, which helped. He’s a steady, patient driver who takes mountain roads at a comfortable pace. But even with him at the wheel, I was gripping the door handle for most of the 11 miles.
What It Actually Felt Like
The first few curves weren’t bad. I thought, “Okay, this isn’t so terrible.” Then we hit a hairpin curve, and I felt my stomach drop into my shoes.
Some of the curves are named, by the way. There’s Copperhead Corner, Hog Pen Bend, Wheelie Hell, Shade Tree Corner, Mud Corner, Sunset Corner, Gravity Cavity, Beginner’s End, and Brake or Bust Bend. Those names exist for a reason.
The good news is that the scenery is genuinely beautiful. Even though most of the road is just walls of trees on both sides, you catch glimpses of mountain views, rocky overhangs, and the occasional creek or stream.
Some of the spots we saw were so pretty that I wished we could pull over. But there aren’t many places to do that safely.
After 11 miles, we made it through. I was relieved. Jeremy was happy. And I had a story to tell.
The Roadside Photographers
This is the part of the Tail of the Dragon story I really want to talk about.
As we drove the road, I started noticing tents set up at strategic spots along the curves. Inside each tent were two photographers. They had professional cameras and stood completely still as cars and motorcycles passed by, snapping pictures of every vehicle that came through.
I counted at least two companies with their own tents. 129 Slayer and 129 Photos. There may have been others I missed.
I learned later that there’s a third major company called Killboy, plus a smaller one called Moonshine Photo. So there are usually four or five different photography businesses working the same 11 miles of road.
You can find them online at 129photos.com and at the 129 Slayer store. Each one has a website where you search by date and a rough time estimate, find your vehicle, and buy your photos.
How the Photos from 129 Business Works
The system is pretty clever. Photographers shoot every day from about 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Each photo gets tagged with the date and time. You go home, pull up the company’s website, search by the date you drove the road, and find your vehicle.
The downloads start at around $8.50 for a high-resolution digital image. That’s the entry-level price for a basic download. You can also buy prints, framed photos, photos on mugs and tumblers, road signs with your image, and posters. Different sizes and products cost different amounts.
We didn’t buy any photos because we drove an unremarkable vehicle, and honestly, the experience of being on the road was more important to me than the souvenir. But if we’d been on a motorcycle or in a sports car, I might have grabbed one.
My Honest Take on the Business
As someone who used to be a photographer myself, I respect this hustle.
Think about it. You set up a tent in a popular spot. You take pictures all day. You tag and upload them to a website. People go home, find their photos, and pay you. You barely have to interact with customers. You sell digital downloads with practically zero overhead after the initial setup.
Is it a fortune? Probably not. But it’s a clever way to make a living doing photography in a beautiful spot, and the demand is consistent because thousands of drivers and motorcyclists hit this road every year.
I do wonder how the permitting works.
– Are these photographers permitted by the local jurisdictions?
– Are they private contractors operating on public land or private property?
I couldn’t find a clear answer, and I’m curious about the legal side. But the customers don’t seem to care, and the business has been operating for years, so somebody must have it figured out.
For anyone reading this who’s a creative entrepreneur, I think there’s something interesting here. Find a high-traffic location with built-in demand. Set up a system. Let the technology and the volume do the work.
What I’d Do Differently for the Tail of the Dragon
Looking back on driving the Tail of the Dragon, I have a few thoughts.
I’d give myself more mental prep time. Knowing that 318 curves was going to feel like 318 curves would have helped me brace for it.
I’d consider doing the drive earlier in the day when I’m fresher and more alert. We did it later in the trip when we were already tired from days of driving and hiking.
I’d plan to stop at the Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort at the end. We didn’t make time for it, and that’s where you can see the Tree of Shame (a tree decorated with motorcycle parts from crashes) and pick up the official Dragon Sticker.
I might take a friend who isn’t scared of curves so my anxiety wouldn’t dampen the experience for Jeremy.
The Lake or River After the Dragon
After we finished the Tail of the Dragon, we drove past this beautiful body of water on the side of the road. I thought it was a lake at first. Looking back, it was probably a river. The scenery was so pretty that we slowed down just to look.
The road through the Smoky Mountains region has so many of these little surprises. Lakes, rivers, scenic overlooks, and forest stretches that go on for miles. The Tail of the Dragon may be the famous part, but the rest of the drive is honestly just as beautiful (and a lot less terrifying).
Would I Drive It Again?
Honestly? Yes. Probably still as a passenger though. I have ZERO interest in ever driving it.
If you’re a thrill seeker, a motorcyclist, or a sports car enthusiast, the Tail of the Dragon is a bucket list drive. You’ll love it.
If you’re like me and prefer your roads straight and your scenery accessible by easy walking trails, the Tail of the Dragon is something you do at least once to say you did it. Then you find a less stressful route home.
Final Thoughts on the Tail of the Dragon
The Tail of the Dragon lived up to its reputation. 318 curves, 11 miles, terrifying and beautiful all at once.
The photography hustle along the route was an unexpected highlight for me. It’s the kind of clever side business that makes you think about all the other ways photographers and creative entrepreneurs can build income streams in unique places.
Would I recommend driving the Tail of the Dragon? Absolutely, if you’ve got the stomach for it. Just make sure you have a steady driver, a clear day, and maybe a slice of cheesecake waiting for you at the end as a reward.
Next time, I might just buy myself one of those Dragon photos. Even from a regular old SUV.
