Deals Gap, North Carolina

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Deals Gap is a small unincorporated community and motorcycle resort in Swain County, North Carolina, United States. It is located along U.S. Highway 129 at the Tennessee state line. The community has an unoffcial population of 6, which is posted on a welcoming sign[1]. The community's approximate elevation is 1760 feet above sea level.

[edit] Tail of the Dragon

Deals Gap is a popular and nationally famous destination for driving enthusiasts (of motorcycles and sportscars), as it is located along a stretch of two-lane road known as the Tail of the Dragon (or The Dragon). The stretch, which is largely in Tennessee, is roughly 11 miles in length and contains 318 curves, making it one of the curviest roads in the nation. Some of the Dragon's sharpest curves have names like Copperhead Corner, Hog Pen Bend, Wheelie Hell, Killboy Shade Tree Corner, Beginner's End and Brake or Bust Bend. The road segment earned its name from its curves resembling the back or the tail of a dragon. The stretch bears the street name "Tapoco Road" in North Carolina and "Calderwood Highway" in Tennessee and is signed entirely by U.S. Highway 129.

Since part of the road is also the southwestern border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there is very little development on the stretch, and it mostly travels through forested area. Along the route, there are a few scenic overlooks and pulloff points. The speed limit on the Dragon was 55 mph prior to 1992; however, in the 1990s and early 2000s, the limit was reduced a number of times until 2005 when a speed limit of 30 mph was signed along the entire stretch.

From 1995 to August 2006 there have been sixteen deaths on the stretch of road, most of which were motorcycle incidents.