Have you heard of "The Dragon?" Maybe, maybe not. I definitely hadn't until a weekend trip found our tiny Honda Civic on one of the most lauded roads in the world. Yeah, you heard that right - the world. Stretching from Tennessee to North Carolina, the Tail of the Dragon is an 11-mile jaunt that proffers 318 turns by the end of it, beckoning motorcyclists and thrill-seekers from around the world.
Once you're on the Tail of the Dragon, you aren't off it until the end. There are no exits.
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Why, you ask? Because the road is bordered by the Great Smoky Mountains and Cherokee National Forest, making sudden drop-offs a very common thing.
In 2014, an average of 1,057 travelers made their way down the road - per day.
You're sure to find wildlife on your way down the Dragon. People have spotted anything from rabbits to bears to deer, so you'll want to be careful.
Also, contrary to popular belief, the road is patrolled by state troopers. You definitely can - and will - get pulled over if you're going too crazy.
Interesting fact: "The Fugitive," starring Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones, was filmed not too far from the Dragon. Depending on where you start you may find yourself walking in their footsteps.
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Although summer months are crazy busy, the winters get pretty slow. We're talkin' maybe 50 vehicles a day, making it a bit easier to go slow and steady.
The views are beautiful, but remember - the road itself is the real attraction. There is a high number of accidents on the road, and you don't want to find yourself a casualty.
Who is ready for a Tennessee lake road trip?! Whether you plan on taking out the kayaks and paddling in, hiking around the rim, or just laying around in the sun, these spots in East Tennessee offer some of the best bodies of water around.
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To make the most of your trip we provided you with a customizable map so you can take the trip however you want to.
1. South Holston Lake
South Holston Lake is shared with Virginia and is nestled into the mountains quite nicely. The first time we saw this lake was when we ended our drive on The Snake and were blown away by the natural beauty. For some fun in the sun, head to Jacobs Creek Recreation Area where you can camp and enjoy the lake.
2. Watauga Lake
I consider Watauga Lake to be the prettiest lake I have ever seen in my life - in Tennessee or otherwise! You can spend a day splashing around at the beach with your friends and family, take out a boat and cruise the waters, or have a sunset picnic and soak in the pristine beauty.
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3. Boone Lake
Boone Lake is an outlier to me because it looks more like a river than a lake, but you can’t argue with the map. Boone wraps around the mountains and found within its twists and turns are lovely places like Boone Lake Beach and Wing Deer Park.
4. Douglas Lake
Douglas Lake is one of the clearest lakes in Tennessee and offers a plethora of ways to enjoy it. Nothing beats a day spent on the lake whether you are paddling around, fishing, or swimming, and Douglas Lake happens to be a place perfectly suited for all of those activities. A great place to spend the night to make the most of your time at the lake is found at Anchor Down RV Resort; make sure you check it out.
5. Cherokee Reservoir
The Cherokee Reservoir offers more glittering water for miles and miles. There are plenty of marinas and boat launches if you would like to get right out in the middle of this peaceful place. Panther Creek State Park is located right along the shore and also offers some incredible hiking and camping options for an extended stay by the water.
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6. Norris Lake
Norris Lake is known for its clean, pristine waters. The lake has two wonderful wilderness areas surrounding it and offers plenty of surprises for those who know where to look, like a rope swing and a swimming cave!
Time to get outside and enjoy a Tennessee lake road trip. Don’t forget to bring the road trip snacks, and make sure you have a good canoe to make the most of the lakes.
Tennessee is far from short of natural beauty. We are also a little biased but we also think it is the prettiest state in the whole country. Aside from the numerous hikes and waterfalls scattered throughout the state, one of the best ways to explore the Volunteer State is by taking a 3-day road trip in Tennessee to the parks highlighted on this map. Read on to learn more about what you'll get to see and do when you go adventuring in this southern state over a long weekend.
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One of the perks of this road trip is the short driving distance between each park. This means less time in the car and more time to explore! If you want to add or subtract stops, change the order, or otherwise modify your road trip, check out this customizable Google Maps route.
Day 1 - David Crockett State Park - Lawrenceburg
Start your three-day adventure off at the historic David Crockett State Park and learn all about what life was like for this well-known frontiersman. This park really has alot of history to learn from so if you are at all interested in the life of this fascinating man then you will love this park. If you are not a big history buff no need to worry, there is still plenty to love about this park, however, I am willing to bet if you give it a chance you will love David Crockett's story.
It should also be noted that this park is located in Lawrenceburg and not to be confused with the David Crockett Birthplace State Park, which is located in Limestone.
Along with getting a feel for what life was like for David Crockett by experiencing some of the activities at the park, you'll be able to go hiking and check out wildlife there.
Day 2 - Henry Horton State Park - Chapel Hill
To continue your weekend road trip in Tennessee you will visit Henry Horton State Park next. This scenic park is located on the grounds of former Tennessee Governor Henry Horton. In addition to plenty of outdoor activities, there are lodging and campsites available for rent. This state park is known for having one of the best campgrounds out of all of the state parks so you might just want to stay for longer than a weekend.
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One of the most popular activities at this park is kayaking. You can also go golfing or try trap and skeet shooting.
Day 3 - Fall Creek Falls State Park - Spencer
Since this is the last stop on your three-day adventure, how about taking a dip at the swimming hole by the waterfalls? Cool off at Cane Creek Falls or cool off in the mist of the tallest waterfall in Tennessee, Fall Creek Falls.
There are over 29,000 acres in Fall Creek Falls State Park. Aside from the waterfalls, one of the draws of this park is the unique rock formations. Therefore, you can easily pretend that you're Indiana Jones as you explore Fall Creek Falls State Park.
Would you take this 3-day road trip in Tennessee? What are some of your favorite road trips in Tennessee? Let us know in the comments below. If you would like to camp along the way as you travel but don't have a camper, then make sure you visit our friends over at RV Share. There you can rent an RV for your weekend adventure. Whenever you are on a trip, you will want to make sure you have the best road trip essentials so let us help you with our road trip packing list.
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After taking this epic road trip, take a look at where these three Tennessee road trips will take you - it is truly unforgettable. We just love to offer ideas of where to go on your next adventure.