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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.

 

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.  

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The entirety of Back of the Dragon runs along Route 16 from Marion, Virginia to Tazewell, Virginia.

Once you’ve conquered the Dragon, why not explore more twists and turns for a truly unforgettable ride!  These two routes will lead you through some of the most beautiful scenery our backroads of Appalachia have to offer. Give ‘em a look…

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For more information about The Back of the Dragon, visit the official Dragon Website.

LODGING

Buston House B & B-Tazewell
269 Pine Street | 704-577-1665

Cavitt's Creek Park Campground - Tazewell

750 Recreation Dr. | 276-988-7250

Comfort Inn - Bluefield

38769 Gov. GC Peery Hwy. | 276-326-3688

Cottage at Crab Orchard - Tazewell

3663 Crab Orchard Rd. |  276-988-6755

Cuz's Cabins - Pounding Mill

15746 Gov. GC Peery Hwy. | 276-964-9014

Fincastle Motor Inn - Tazewell

1690 Fincastle Turnpike | 276-988-2531

Foxtail Orchard Cabins & Campground - Tazewell

Hangar 22, Fox Den, Iron Horse Cabins
148 Macky Ln. | 434-390-9594

Holiday Inn Express - Claypool Hill

180 Clay Drive | 276-596-9880

Journey Cabin on Clinch River Farms - Pounding Mill

630 Estates Drive | 276-971-4518

Katy's Kottages - Bluefield

550 Williams Street | 276-945-2033

Parsonage Guest House - Burkes Garden

7322 Burkes Garden Rd. |  276-970-6862

Real McCoy Cabins - Pocahontas

156 Wood Smoke Way | 276-945-3106

Red Dirt ATV Resort - Bluefield

214 Dunn Road | 304-922-8160
Riverside Retreat -Tazewell
2792 Fincastle Turnpike | 276-209-4321
Rudy’s Roost -Tazewell
5418 Thompson Velley Road | 276-385-3555
Sunflower Shanty- North Tazewell
133 N Bland Street | 276-971-0769
Super 8 Motel - Claypool Hill

12367 Gov. GC Peery Hwy. | 276-207-8829

The Cabin at Little Creek - Burkes Garden

Burke's Garden Road | 888-829-7076

The Company House - Pocahontas
184 East Water Drive | 843-801-2515

The Dragon’s Den -Tazewell
391 Dogwood Road | 276-209-4321
The Inn @ Horseshoe Hill - Bluefield
247 Dunn Road | 276-945-3030

The Old Jail -Tazewell
194 Central Avenue | 276-210-4878

Trailhead ATV Resort - Boissevain

465 Miners Park Lane | 276-945-3089

DINING

Bearded Dragon @ Back of the Dragon Welcome Center
524 West Main Street | 276-202-1794

Cuz's Uptown Barbeque - Pounding Mill

15746 Gov GC Peery Hwy. | 276-964-9014

Double Gates Grocery - Bluefield

401 Mountain Lane | 276-326-2132
Dragon’s Coffee & More - Tazewell
104 Carline Avenue | 276-979-4174

Fisher and Company - Tazewell

1735 Pisgah Road | 276-385-1150

Italian Village - Tazewell

817 E Fincastle Turnpike | 276-988-6572

Margaret’s Country Corner - Bluefield
500 Virginia Avenue | 276-322-2555

Mattie's Place - Tazewell

920 Gose Mill Road | 276-472-2222
Ole No. 3 Restaurant Bar - Pocahontas
217 Shop Hollow Road | 276-245-1255

Old Virginia Chophouse - Tazewell

203 Main Street | 276-979-4451
Queens Pizza - Bluefield
527 Commerce Drive | 276-322-5500

S'Mothered Bake Shop - Tazewell

113 Shire Lane | 276-979-4520

Savory Flavors - Bluefield

1204 Virginia Ave. | 276-322-7179
Shepherd’s Deli - Tazewell
661 Fincastle Turnpike | 276-979-4028

Shogun Sushi Hibachi Thai - Bluefield

512 Commerce Drive | 276-322-7666

The Bearded Dragon - Tazewell

592 Main Street | 276-202-1794

The Front Porch on Main - Tazewell

254 Main Street | 276-988-6093
The Happy Goat - Tazewell
216 Main Street | 276-245-7622

The Well Coffee Shop - Tazewell

168 Main Street | 276-385-1103

Your Grate Escape - Tazewell

2871 East Fincastle Drive | 276-988-7867

ATTRACTIONS

21. Channels State Forest Preserve

Brumley Gap Road, Abingdon, VA

276-236-2322

 

22. Ellenbrook Museum

700 Hayters Gap Road, Lebanon, VA

276-880-2226

24. Vincent’s Vineyard

2313 Main Street, Lebanon, VA

276-889-2505

28. Cedar Bluff Overlook

255-299 Hurt Buggy Road, Cedar Bluff, VA
 

29. Hungry Mother State Park

2854 Park Boulevard, Marion, VA

276-781-7400
 

30. Plum Creek Winery

5418 Thompson Valley Road, Tazewell, VA

276-988-9792
 

31. Crab Orchard Museum & Pioneer Park

3663 Crab Orchard Road, Tazewell, VA

276-988-6755
 

32. Cavitt’s Creek Lake Witten

750 Recreation Dr., North Tazewell, VA

276-988-7250

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