Southwest Virginia Road Trip – Back of the Dragon

21 Aug Southwest Virginia Road Trip – Back of the Dragon

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As a part of our Summer and Fall WanderLOVE series, we have come up with 6 Road Trip ideas you’re going to want to do. Each one will take you to incredible locations within the region and give you plenty of things to see and do! Fill up your tank, pick your destination, and hit the road!

Back of the Dragon

Our second road trip location is Back of the Dragon. This road trip connects Marion, Virginia with Tazewell Virginia on a fun and scenic drive. Back of the Dragon is 32 miles of scenic roadway with over 438 curves and at an elevation of 3500′. This roadway is a vastly popular spot for both car and motorcycle enthusiasts.

Back of the Dragon is a section of VA State Highway 16 which runs from Hungry Mother State Park in Marion, Virginia to Tazewell, Virginia. This route crosses over Big Walker, Brushy, and the Clinch Mountains. The naming of this section was by Larry Brent Davidson due to the curves of the road reminding him of “humps” on the back of a dragon. Along the way, travelers will encounter many scenic views, pull off spots, and photo opportunities.

To find out more about the Back of the Dragon or to Plan Your Trip, please visit the Back of the Dragon website for more information and photos!

Tazewell

Tazewell is a small town located in the Heart of Appalachia in Tazewell County. Not only is Tazewell a great destination for fans of Back of the Dragon, but also the Clinch River and lush mountains. Tazewell is also home to great places to eat, boutique shopping experiences, as well as local events.

Some notable features around Tazewell include

 

Marion

 

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You don’t have to like in a big town to do big things. #smalltownpride #marionva #mariondowntown

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Marion is a small town located in Smyth County Virginia. Not only is Marion a great destination for fans of Back of the Dragon, but also Southwest Virginia music, downtown experiences, and the outdoors. Marion has a great downtown district which is perfect for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Some notable features around Marion include

No matter where you end up, there’s always something fun to do in Southwest Virginia! If you want to find out more about the things we have to offer, feel free to explore more on our website VISITSWVA or check out some videos on our YouTube channel!