Deals Gap, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Deals Gap |
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Crossing Deals Gap into North Carolina
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| Elevation | 1,988 ft (606 m) |
| Traversed by |  US 129 |
| Location | North Carolina Tennessee United States |
| Range | Great Smoky Mountains |
| Coordinates | 35°28′25″N 83°55′15″W / 35.4736965°N 83.9207351°W |
| Topo map | USGS Tapoco |
 Location in North Carolina
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Deals Gap is a mountain pass located right on the border between North Carolina and Tennessee. It's nestled near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Little Tennessee River. This spot is famous for a special road that attracts many motorcycle and sports car fans.
Just a short distance south of the pass, there's a small community also called Deals Gap. It sits where two roads, US 129 and NC 28, meet. People come from all over to drive the exciting road known as the "Tail of the Dragon."
The Tail of the Dragon
Deals Gap is a super popular place for people who love motorcycles and sports cars. This is because of a special road called the "Tail of the Dragon," or just "The Dragon." This part of the road is about 11 miles long in Tennessee. It's famous for having 318 curves!
Some of the sharpest turns on The Dragon even have their own fun names. Imagine corners called Copperhead Corner, Hog Pen Bend, or Brake or Bust Bend! The road got its name because its many twists and turns look like a dragon's tail.
This exciting stretch of road is part of US 129. In North Carolina, it's called "Tapoco Road." In Tennessee, it's known as "Calderwood Highway."
Since part of this road runs along the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there are no buildings or shops right next to it. This means drivers don't have to worry about cars suddenly pulling out onto the road. The road mostly goes through a beautiful forest. You can find a few spots to pull over and enjoy the amazing views.
The speed limit on The Dragon is 30 miles per hour. This lower speed limit helps keep everyone safer on the curvy road. Police officers are often present on the Tennessee side to make sure drivers follow the rules.
Because of all the curves, sometimes accidents happen, especially with motorcycles. During the summer, rescue teams are often on standby during weekends. They are there to help quickly if someone needs assistance. It's very important to drive carefully and follow the speed limit on this road.
In 2021, a famous YouTuber named CGP Grey drove a Tesla Model 3 on The Dragon. His car used a special self-driving system. It was able to navigate the whole route without him needing to steer!
Images for kids
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Crossing Deals Gap into North Carolina
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The Deals Gap Community
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The Tail of the Dragon road
