BACK OF THE DRAGON
Welcome to 32 miles of the most exciting and technical road you will ever ride - The Back of the Dragon. You'll find unmatched beauty and riding enjoyment on Virginia's Route 16, the two lane ribbon over the three mountain range between Marion and Tazewell, Virginia. Take this ride and earn your place amongst the "Dragon Masters" and those who aspire to be. For more information about The Back of the Dragon, visit the official Dragon Website.
What began as a passion for motorcycle riding and a love for an amazing stretch of highway has turned an idea into a trail, a business and an event! In October, 2010, a recently retired Army Master Sargent, enthusiastically marched into the Tazewell County Office of Economic Development and Tourism with an idea that he had been considering... He was carrying a large rendering of a medieval dragon in one hand and a motorcycle helmet in the other. "Route 16 is a natural for motorcycles and sports cars", he exclaimed. "With elevations of 3,500 feet, there are 32 miles of 438 winding curves, some of which are 15 mile per hour curves; and once you get to the top, the views are amazing!" And that, my friends, is how the Back of the Dragon was born.
The entirety of Back of the Dragon runs route 16 from Marion, Virginia to Tazewell, Virginia.
LODGING
Holiday Inn Express - Claypool Hill
180 Clay Drive 276-596-9880
Real McCoy Cabins - Pocahontas
156 Wood Smoke Way 276-945-3106
Trailhead ATV Resort - Boissevain
465 Miners Park Lane 276-945-3089
38769 Gov. GC Peery Hwy 276-326-3002
Fincastle Motor Inn - Tazewell
858 E. Fincastle Turnpike 276-988-2531
12367 Gov. GC Peery Hwy 276-964-9888
15746 Gov. GC Peery Hwy 276-964-9014
Cavitt's Creek Park Campground - Tazewell
750 Recreation Dr 276-988-7250
Foxtail Orchard Cabins & Campground - Tazewell
3628 BF Buchanan Hwy 276-200-4176
Cottage at Crab Orchard - Tazewell
3663 Crab Orchard Rd 276-988-6755
Parsonage Guest House - Burkes Garden
7322 Burkes Garden Rd 276-970-6862
DINING
1735 Pisgah Rd 276-385-1150
100 Tazewell Mall 276-988-9111
1133 Fincastle Turnpike 276-988-7867
817 E Fincastle Turnpike 276-988-6572
203 W Main St 276-385-1100
203 E Fincastle Turnpike 276-245-5987
Cuz's Uptown Barbeque - Pounding Mill
15746 Gov GC Peery Hwy 276-964-9014
Sugar Street Bakery - Pounding Mill
12583 Gov. GC Peery Hwy 276-345-6652
ATTRACTIONS
21. Channels State Forest Preserve
Brumley Gap Rd, Abingdon, VA
Hayters Gap Rd, Lebanon, VA
2313 Main St, Lebanon, VA
255-299 Hurt Buggy Rd, Cedar Bluff, VA
29. Hungry Mother State Park
2854 Park Blvd, Marion, VA
5418 Thompson Valley Rd, Tazewell, VA
31. Crab Orchard Museum & Pioneer Park
3663 Crab Orchard Rd, Tazewell, VA
32. Cavitt’s Creek Lake Witten
750 Recreation Dr, North Tazewell, VA
