The Dragon; first trip
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,371
Likes: 1
From: Somerset Kentucky
The Dragon; first trip
My grandson and I want to drive the Dragon but I'm not familiar with the area even though I've been to Tenn a ton and even lived in Crossville many years ago. Advice from you who have been there and done that. Grandson is holding me to making the trip and I told him we'd do it this summer while he's out of school. Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 979
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville Florida
The dragon is short and usually busy. If you are making it a day long thing then drive the dragon early in the AM then drive Cherohala Skyway.
Dragon is only 11 miles long, Cherohala is 50 and is ususally not patrolled and has much less traffic. And....you can go really really fast up there....
While you are on the dragon keep a look out for the photographers roadside. Usually Killboy and US129.com.....they get some cool shots that you can look at and buy on their sites.
Dragon is only 11 miles long, Cherohala is 50 and is ususally not patrolled and has much less traffic. And....you can go really really fast up there....
While you are on the dragon keep a look out for the photographers roadside. Usually Killboy and US129.com.....they get some cool shots that you can look at and buy on their sites.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
Hwy 28 and Fontana Dam/lake should definitely be part of your agenda. The 'tail' gets too congested with 'go slow' cars and bikes, but it is still fun. Be sure to stop at the top and enjoy the scenery.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 9
From: Crossville TN
I live in Crossville now... if you still have family in that area, there are some nice backroads to take and good scenery as well. Especially Hwy 30 from Crossville to Dayton. And also Hwy 85 from Livingston to Clarkrange too.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 24,921
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville, TN
CI 3-4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude '03 thru '26
My grandson and I want to drive the Dragon but I'm not familiar with the area even though I've been to Tenn a ton and even lived in Crossville many years ago. Advice from you who have been there and done that. Grandson is holding me to making the trip and I told him we'd do it this summer while he's out of school. Thanks
I used to terrorize that stretch of road and white knuckle drive it, but it's now busier, I am older and will have precious cargo with me so I think I will just see if I can terrorize her a little.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,387
Likes: 24,790
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Should be a great trip - driving the Dragon is one thing I want to do in my car.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,754
Likes: 167
From: Youngsville North Carolina
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,750
Likes: 797
From: Powder Springs GA
The dragon is short and usually busy. If you are making it a day long thing then drive the dragon early in the AM then drive Cherohala Skyway.
Dragon is only 11 miles long, Cherohala is 50 and is ususally not patrolled and has much less traffic. And....you can go really really fast up there....
While you are on the dragon keep a look out for the photographers roadside. Usually Killboy and US129.com.....they get some cool shots that you can look at and buy on their sites.
Dragon is only 11 miles long, Cherohala is 50 and is ususally not patrolled and has much less traffic. And....you can go really really fast up there....
While you are on the dragon keep a look out for the photographers roadside. Usually Killboy and US129.com.....they get some cool shots that you can look at and buy on their sites.
The best time to drive the Tail is during the week (monday-Friday) it's not as busy. Best time of the day to drive it is early morning or late afternoon. Check out Killboy and Us129.com when you get home, They'll have a great shot of you and your grandson.
Gas $200
Hotel $100 a night
A picture of you and your grandson in the Vette on the Dragon-PRICELESS!
Last edited by Monkey D. Luffy; Jul 3, 2012 at 01:14 PM.
Pro
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 518
Likes: 3
From: Alpharetta GA
The best time to drive the Tail is during the week (monday-Friday) it's not as busy. Best time of the day to drive it is early morning or late afternoon. Check out Killboy and Us129.com when you get home, They'll have a great shot of you and your grandson.
Gas $200
Hotel $100 a night
A picture of you and your grandson in the Vette on the Dragon-PRICELESS!
And, get a photo simliar to this:
Platinum Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 533
Likes: 2
Please watch out for the bikes.
I was there last Saturday on my KLR650,
Many people (cars) in the wrong lane, bikes going too fast for their skill level. I did it once and had no need to risk it again.
I would think during the week would be best, I camped the night and the people 'running it' at 3-4 in the morning were just insane.
I was there last Saturday on my KLR650,
Many people (cars) in the wrong lane, bikes going too fast for their skill level. I did it once and had no need to risk it again.
I would think during the week would be best, I camped the night and the people 'running it' at 3-4 in the morning were just insane.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,371
Likes: 1
From: Somerset Kentucky
Crossville holds a lot of memories for us. Our daughter was born there in 1974, it was where I got my first job just out of college. We used to wear out the roads around the area on the weekends when we were young. Haven't been there in a long time but we're planning on coming soon and stay in one of the rv campgrounds since both of us are retired.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
Likes: 1,743
From: Knoxville Tn
One other thing,,,,
Unless your passenger has a very strong stomach,,you might want to carry a 'barf bag' with you. Passengers often get a bit 'queasy' on the dragon..
Be sure to do the Cherahalla too, it's really a much better run.
Unless your passenger has a very strong stomach,,you might want to carry a 'barf bag' with you. Passengers often get a bit 'queasy' on the dragon..
Be sure to do the Cherahalla too, it's really a much better run.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,371
Likes: 1
From: Somerset Kentucky
