Newcomer’s Guide to Deal’s Gap


Deal’s Gap is a section of U.S. 129 consisting of 318 turns in 11 miles and is also known 
as “the dragon”.  General Information for Deal’s Gap can be found at www.dealsgap.com 
and www.tailofthedragon.com.  At the south end (North Carolina end) is a motel and 
campground called Crossroads of Time Motorcycle Resort.  They have a gas station and 
small general store.   Their phone number is 800-889-5550.  Hours of operation are 
“about” 8am – 8pm.  This is the main gathering point for those visiting Deal’s Gap.  It is 
located at the intersection of U.S. 129 and North Carolina State Road 28 in eastern North 
Carolina, just a few hundred yards from the Tennessee state line.   

Weekends are generally busier than weekdays at the Gap, which is great for social 
interaction.  Solo touring however, is best done on weekdays or early on Friday.  Holiday 
weekends are extremely busy and are loaded with sport bikes and cops.

Whether you are going to stay in the motel or camp in front of the motel, you will want to 
bring enough supplies and food for your trip.  There are no restaurants, bars, or places to 
buy major supplies (food, alcohol, coffee, etc.) close by.  Deli sandwiches and snacks are 
available at the general store.  There are a couple of BBQ grills available in front of the 
motel, but you may want to bring a small grill and/or a coleman stove if you have one.  
You may also want to bring a lawn chair for sitting around in the evening while telling 
stories about you and your triple.  The closest town is Robbinsville, which is about a 20 
minute ride south of the Gap.

If camping, in addition to your usual camping supplies, bring plenty of your favorite 
beverage (did I mention no alcohol for sale?).  The campground is an open, grassy area in 
front of the motel where you pick your own spot and pitch a tent.  There is a bathroom 
and a shower available.  There is also a second bathroom/shower at the top of the hill that 
campers can use.  Don’t forget soap, bath towel, and I recommend bringing a roll of toilet 
paper.

Directions:  Due to the limited access by mountain terrain, directions are easy.  
From the south, take U.S. 74 east out of Murphy, N.C.  Take U.S. 129 north through 
Topton, Robbinsville, and Tapoco.  You will see the gas station at the intersection of 129 
and state road 28.
From the east, take I-40 from Asheville to U.S. 74 (or take U.S. 19 through Maggie 
Valley and Cherokee to U.S. 74.  This is a more scenic, but slower route).  From U.S. 74, 
take state road 28 west through Fontana Village.  You will see the gas station on your 
right at the intersection of 129 and state road 28.
From the north or east, take either I-40 or I-75 to Knoxville.  Take U.S. 129 south 
towards Maryville.  You will actually drive through Deal’s Gap.  After crossing the NC 
state line, you will see the motel on your left.  It is about 60 miles south of Knoxville.