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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.

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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
DINING

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

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Cavitt's Creek Park Campground - Tazewell

750 Recreation Dr. | 276-988-7250

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​Comfort Inn - Bluefield

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

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​Cottage at Crab Orchard - Tazewell

3663 Crab Orchard Rd. |  276-988-6755

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​Cuz's Cabins - Pounding Mill

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

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​Fincastle Motor Inn - Tazewell

1690 Fincastle Turnpike | 276-988-2531

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​Foxtail Orchard Cabins & Campground - Tazewell

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

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​Holiday Inn Express - Claypool Hill

180 Clay Drive | 276-596-9880

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​Journey Cabin on Clinch River Farms - Pounding Mill

630 Estates Drive | 276-971-4518

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​Katy's Kottages - Bluefield

550 Williams Street | 276-945-2033

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Parsonage Guest House - Burkes Garden

7322 Burkes Garden Rd. |  276-970-6862

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​Real McCoy Cabins - Pocahontas

156 Wood Smoke Way | 276-945-3106

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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

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​The Cabin at Little Creek - Burkes Garden

Burke's Garden Road | 888-829-7076

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

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The Dragon’s Den -Tazewell
391 Dogwood Road | 276-209-4321


The Inn @ Horseshoe Hill - Bluefield
247 Dunn Road | 276-945-3030

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

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Trailhead ATV Resort - Boissevain

465 Miners Park Lane | 276-945-3089

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

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Cuz's Uptown Barbeque - Pounding Mill

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

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​Double Gates Grocery - Bluefield

401 Mountain Lane | 276-326-2132

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Fiesta Jalisco - Tazewell
100 Tazewell Mall Circle |  276-979-4163

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​Fisher and Company - Tazewell

1735 Pisgah Road | 276-385-1150

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​Italian Village - Tazewell

817 E Fincastle Turnpike | 276-988-6572

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

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​Mattie's Place - Tazewell

920 Gose Mill Road | 276-472-2222


Ole No. 3 Restaurant Bar - Pocahontas
217 Shop Hollow Road | 276-245-1255

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​Old Virginia Chophouse - Tazewell

203 Main Street | 276-979-4451


Queens Pizza - Bluefield
527 Commerce Drive | 276-322-5500

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​​Savory Flavors - Bluefield

1204 Virginia Ave. | 276-322-7179


Shepherd’s Deli - Tazewell
661 Fincastle Turnpike | 276-979-4028

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​Shogun Sushi Hibachi Thai - Bluefield

512 Commerce Drive | 276-322-7666

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​The Bearded Dragon - Tazewell

592 Main Street | 276-202-1794

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The Box Charc - North Tazewell
113 Shire Lane | 276-979-4140

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​The Front Porch on Main - Tazewell

254 Main Street | 276-988-6093


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

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​The Well Coffee Shop - Tazewell

168 Main Street | 276-385-1103

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​Your Grate Escape - Tazewell

2871 East Fincastle Drive | 276-988-7867

ATTRACTIONS

Back of the Dragon Welcome Center
592 Main Street, Tazewell, VA
276-979-4288

 

Channels State Forest Preserve

Brumley Gap Road, Abingdon, VA

276-236-2322

 

Ellenbrook Museum

700 Hayters Gap Road, Lebanon, VA

276-880-2226

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Vincent’s Vineyard

2313 Main Street, Lebanon, VA

276-889-2505

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Cedar Bluff Overlook

255-299 Hurt Buggy Road, Cedar Bluff, VA
 

Hungry Mother State Park

2854 Park Boulevard, Marion, VA

276-781-7400
 

Crab Orchard Museum & Pioneer Park

3663 Crab Orchard Road, Tazewell, VA

276-988-6755
 

Cavitt’s Creek Lake Witten

750 Recreation Dr., North Tazewell, VA

276-988-7250

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91324

Created by VA General Assembly in 1993, we've been helping visitors and tourism-related businesses for 30 years and growing!

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OUR SERVICES

- Lodging, Dining, Shopping Info

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- Calendar of Regional Events

- Regional Attractions Info

-Outfitters & Guides Listings

- Travel Planning Assistance

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VISIT US

HEART of APPALACHIA

VISITOR CENTER

3028 4th Avenue Market Square

PO Box 186, Saint Paul, VA 24283

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Map not to scale. Rings represent approximate

2-hour drive time.

© 2012-2024 Heart of Appalachia Tourism Authority

Our backroads are just that – rural working roads, traveled by residents, farmers, coal transport and a variety of visitors. Use caution while traveling and check road conditions before riding unfamiliar routes.  Enjoy your ride!
511Virginia.org offers road condition info.

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