Blog
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Back of the Dragon Travel Guide: Plan Your Southwest Virginia Trip
September 8, 2026This 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 […] -
Marion VA Back of the Dragon: Where to Stay and What to Do
September 8, 2026Planning a Marion VA Back of the Dragon trip puts you at the quieter southern gateway to one of Southwest Virginia’s most memorable mountain roads. Interstate 81, downtown Marion, Hungry Mother State Park, and Virginia Route 16 come together here, giving riders and drivers an easy place to stay, fuel up, and settle in before […] -
Best Time of Year to Ride Back of the Dragon
September 8, 2026The best time to ride Back of the Dragon depends on what you want from Virginia Route 16. Late spring and early fall often provide the strongest balance of comfortable temperatures, useful daylight and Appalachian scenery, but the road can feel different from one ridge to the next—even during the same ride between Tazewell and […] -
First-Time Back of the Dragon Checklist
August 5, 2026Your first-time Back of the Dragon ride should be memorable for the right reasons. A little preparation goes a long way when you’re tackling Virginia Route 16 for the first time. Back of the Dragon is a scenic mountain road known for its sweeping curves, changing elevations, and unforgettable Appalachian views, making thoughtful ride planning […] -
Motorcycle Weekend in Tazewell, VA
August 5, 2026Planning a motorcycle weekend in Tazewell, VA is about more than choosing a scenic road. You want enough time to experience Back of the Dragon, discover Southwest Virginia, enjoy local restaurants, and relax without rushing from one stop to the next. Tazewell is the perfect basecamp for riders looking to turn an unforgettable ride into […] -
Fall Foliage Rides on Back of the Dragon
August 5, 2026Finding the best fall foliage motorcycle rides in Virginia means looking beyond colorful scenery alone. You need a road that combines changing mountain views with curves, elevation, and places worth stopping along the way. Back of the Dragon delivers that full autumn experience on Virginia Route 16 between Tazewell and Marion. A fall foliage ride […] -
Things to Do in Tazewell, VA for Riders and Drivers
July 8, 2026Searching for things to do in Tazewell, VA, usually begins with the sound of an engine on Virginia Route 16. Back of the Dragon brings motorcycle riders and performance-car drivers into town for its mountain curves, elevation changes, and constantly shifting rhythm, but experienced visitors know the trip should not end as soon as the […] -
Best Gifts for Motorcycle Enthusiasts and Car Lovers
July 8, 2026The best gifts for a rider or driver aren’t things off a shelf. It’s a feeling: a difficult curve finally clicking, the view from a mountain overlook, the friends waiting at the next stop, and the road that made the whole trip worth taking. A great enthusiast gift, whether it’s a useful item, a keepsake, […] -
Back of the Dragon Map & GPX Download
July 2, 2026The Road Awaits. Grab the Back of the Dragon map, load the Back of the Dragon GPX route, and get ready for Virginia Route 16 through Southwest Virginia. This run between Tazewell and Marion brings tight switchbacks, steep climbs, long drops, and the kind of curves riders talk about long after the engines cool. A […]