Back of the Dragon Travel Guide: Plan Your Southwest Virginia Trip
This Back of the Dragon travel guide covers where to stay, eat, and ride while exploring Virginia Route 16 between Tazewell and Marion. VA-16 may cover only 32 miles, but more than 400 curves, changing mountain conditions, and two distinct gateway towns can easily fill an entire weekend.
A Back of the Dragon travel guide is a practical resource for planning your route, lodging, meals, rest stops, and nearby activities in Southwest Virginia.
Use this page to plan your trip to Back of the Dragon without rushing through the places that make it memorable: Appalachian overlooks, small-town stops, the Back of the Dragon Center, and the conversations that begin after the engines cool down.
Where Is the Back of the Dragon Located?
Back of the Dragon follows Virginia Route 16 through the mountains between Tazewell and Marion in Southwest Virginia.
- Tazewell, VA — Northern gateway and primary rider gathering point
- Marion, VA — Southern gateway with convenient access from Interstate 81
Tazewell puts you near the Back of the Dragon Center on Main Street and the US-19 corridor. Marion provides a quieter southern approach near Hungry Mother State Park. Between the towns, VA-16 crosses Appalachian terrain with tight curves, shaded pavement, elevation changes, and quickly shifting views.
How to Plan Your Back of the Dragon Trip
Before arriving, review the Back of the Dragon map and GPX download so you understand how VA-16 connects Tazewell and Marion. You can also compare starting in Tazewell versus Marion before choosing your lodging and direction of travel.
Best Time to Visit
Riding conditions here are tied directly to the mountains.
- Spring: Higher sections can remain cool in the morning, while lighter traffic often gives riders more room.
- Summer: Longer daylight allows more time for stops, although lower sections near Marion can become warmer by afternoon.
- Fall: Appalachian foliage brings outstanding views, along with busier weekends and fallen leaves near shaded curves.
Do not judge the entire route by the weather in town. Pavement beneath the hardwood canopy can remain damp after exposed sections have dried, and fog may linger around higher elevations.
How Long to Stay (Day Trip vs Weekend)
A day trip gives you enough time for one complete run and a stop in either Tazewell or Marion.
A weekend gives you room to:
- Ride VA-16 northbound and southbound
- Learn how the curves change in each direction
- Stop at overlooks without watching the clock
- Explore both gateway towns
- Rest before making another run
The first pass is usually about learning the road. During the second, familiar landmarks begin to appear and its rhythm makes more sense. Two or three days lets that happen without turning the trip into a mileage contest.
What to Expect on the Ride
Back of the Dragon demands steady attention rather than outright speed.
- More than 400 curves across approximately 32 miles
- Tight switchbacks connected by short straightaways
- Climbs and descents that change sightlines
- Shaded pavement that may hold moisture
- Open ridges where wind and visibility feel different
From Tazewell, the mountain rhythm begins early. From Marion, the southern approach builds more gradually before the road tightens. Read the complete Back of the Dragon route guide and review the first-time rider safety tips before heading out.
Where to Stay Near Back of the Dragon
Where you stay determines whether you begin the morning near VA-16 or spend part of it travelling to the route. Use the complete Back of the Dragon lodging guide to compare hotels, cabins, and mountain stays around both gateways.
Tazewell (Primary Hub)
Tazewell is the more active base for riders and drivers.
Staying near Main Street keeps you close to the Back of the Dragon Center, food, fuel, and the northern end of VA-16. On event weekends, motorcycles and performance cars regularly gather around town before groups head towards the mountains.
Choose Tazewell when you want the Back of the Dragon community to remain part of the experience after you park for the evening.
Marion (Southern Access)
Marion provides convenient access for travellers arriving from I-81 and a quieter place to settle in after the ride.
The southern gateway is close to Hungry Mother State Park and works well for travellers combining VA-16 with hiking, camping, or a longer Southwest Virginia road trip.
Choose Marion when interstate access, nearby outdoor activities, and a slower evening pace matter most.
Cabins, Lodges, and Scenic Stays
Cabins and lodges around Tazewell, Marion, and the surrounding mountain roads keep you in the same landscape you came to experience.
That can mean:
- Cooler mornings at higher elevations
- Quiet nights outside town
- Gravel entrances or steeper driveways
- Easy access to Appalachian back roads
Visitors towing motorcycles or cars should review the trailer-friendly lodging and parking guide before booking. Turning room, unloading space, and driveway access can matter more than the room description.
What to Do Near the Back of the Dragon
Hungry Mother State Park
Hungry Mother State Park sits just north of Marion along Route 16, making it a natural stop near the southern end of the ride.
Visitors can walk a trail, spend time near the lake, have a picnic, or take a longer break before another run. The park also offers camping and cabins for travellers who want to add more outdoor time to the trip.
Scenic Overlooks & Stops Along VA-16
The pull-offs along VA-16 offer more than a place to take photographs. They give your hands, shoulders, brakes, and concentration time to reset before the next technical section.
Review the best scenic stops on Back of the Dragon before leaving town. Wait for a proper pull-off instead of stopping on a narrow shoulder, and leave enough room for other vehicles to enter and exit.
Local Dining & Small Town Stops
Tazewell is where riders often regroup and compare notes about the road. Marion offers a quieter pace near the southern gateway.
In Tazewell, explore local stops for riders and drivers or settle in for pizza and brews near Back of the Dragon. Food, local businesses, and time off the bike are part of the experience—not simply breaks between runs.
Back of the Dragon Weekend Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & First Ride
Arrive in Tazewell or Marion, check into your lodging, and organise your gear.
When starting in Tazewell, stop at the Back of the Dragon Center before heading south. Treat the first run as a chance to learn the route, identify the tighter sections, and notice where conditions change beneath the tree cover.
Day 2: Full Route Experience
Ride the route in both directions, with a proper break between runs.
The second pass is when you start recognising:
- Where the curves tighten
- Where the road begins to descend
- Where the view opens across the ridges
- Where you need to reduce your pace earlier
Stop in town for fuel, food, and rest instead of turning around immediately. Thirty-two technical mountain miles require more concentration than the number suggests.
Optional Day 3: Explore the Area
Use a third day to experience more of Southwest Virginia.
Visit Hungry Mother State Park, spend time in downtown Tazewell, or take a side trip towards Burke’s Garden. You can also explore more things to do after riding in Tazewell before heading home.
Tips for Planning Your Ride
- Respect VA-16: Ride within your ability and never let a faster group choose your pace.
- Watch mountain conditions: Shade, fog, rain, gravel, fallen leaves, and temperature changes can affect traction.
- Start with time to spare: An early departure leaves room for breaks, traffic, and changing weather.
- Plan fuel and rest stops: Services are concentrated around Tazewell and Marion rather than spread evenly across the route.
- Check current conditions: Review incidents, work zones, and closures through 511 Virginia before leaving town.
Plan Your Ride
Back of the Dragon gets better when you give the road and the surrounding towns enough time.
Choose your gateway, reserve your stay, review the route, and decide where you will stop for food and rest. Then arrive ready to experience VA-16 at your own pace and meet the Southwest Virginia communities that have turned this mountain road into a destination.
Events
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Visitors planning around rallies, group rides, live music, cruise-ins, and community gatherings can also check the Back of the Dragon News and Events page.
The Area
Tazewell
Tazewell sits near the headwaters of the Clinch River and serves as the northern gateway to Back of the Dragon.
The Back of the Dragon Center on Main Street is a natural meeting point for motorcycle groups, sports car clubs, and travellers preparing to cross the mountains. Nearby restaurants and shops give visitors somewhere to slow down before or after the ride, while US-19 provides access for those arriving from other parts of Virginia, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
Tazewell is where people gather, trade stories about VA-16, and begin planning their next run.
Marion
Marion anchors the southern end of Back of the Dragon and provides straightforward access from Interstate 81.
Its Main Street area, nearby lodging, and proximity to Hungry Mother State Park make it a practical base for travellers who want more than a single ride. The southern approach also allows first-time visitors to settle into the road before reaching its tighter mountain sections.
Tazewell and Marion have different personalities, but both belong to the journey. The road connects the towns; the people, gathering places, and surrounding landscape turn the drive into a trip.