Abrams Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains! On This Page Road & Facility Delays or It seems like it would be a great place to camp! If you plan to go driving through Cades Cove, theres a few things you need to know about Cades Cove hours, so you can choose the best time to visit. Keep reading for more things to do in Cades Cove. Happy Birthday to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! The Stables are open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. Along the Cades Cove Loop, visitors can see historic structures, gorgeous views and wildlife. September October: 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. The best hours to see the wildlife are in the early morning or in the evening. Avoid causing a traffic jam by using the many pullouts and parking lots. The Cades Cove Loop Road is open year-round, weather permitting, from 8 a.m. until sunset. Henry Whitehead Place: Just past the Visitor Center, Cades Cove Loop Road intersects with the gravel Forge Creek Road. To learn more about how to get to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including nearest airports and driving directions to Gatlinburg, Townsend, and Cherokee entrances, check out this guide here. Trail runners a little wet from water crossings. We went clockwise and that was a good choice. Nothing spectacular but a very nice walk in the woods. The Methodist church is located directly on the Loop Road. The first church youll reach was the first to be constructed in Cades Cove having been built in 1887 to replace the original (far more primitive) structure from 1832. Cades Cove is one of the most beloved and popular destinations in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Yes, while the traffic caused by bear jams can be quite severe at times, Cades Cove is a magical place that everyone visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park should see. No spam. Visitors who are short on time or simply have had their fill of historic cabins can use this shortcut while still getting the Cades Cove experience. The first is the Primitive Baptist Church, which was actually the second church that was built in Cades Cove. The Cades Cove Loop Road winds through a valley surrounded by mountains so drivers have a chance to see all of the historic points along the way. Early morning is the best time to enjoy Cades Cove. Turn right on Fighting Creek Gap Road, which becomes Little River Gorge Road. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. What an adventure! 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This cabin was constructed by the son of John & Lucretia Oliver (who built the first cabin on this list), Elijah, in 1865. Wind Gusts 5 mph. October 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is not accessible by public transportation, which means most visitors must drive or fly then drive to Cades Cove, inside the Park. The best month to see Cades Cove is October, within the first two weeks when the fall foliage is spectacular. Everything You Need to Know, Visit Historic Structures and Scenic Overlooks on the Cades Cove Loop Road, When to Visit Cades Cove and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Wrap Up and More Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, The Great Smoky Mountains Itinerary Guide, Closest Airports to Big Bend National Park & How to Get There, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20560891, Check the NPS website for more information on vehicle-free days. Some colorful plants life along the way as well. Want to learn more about planning an epic National Parks trip? Look Rock May 1 Oct. 31 The loop road is open each morning at sunrise and closes each evening at sunset, according to the National Park. There is no easy side up on this trail since the highest point is about midway on the trail, No grand view as other have stated in previous reviews just small views you get from between the trees and the trees that lost there leaves already. The Tipton Cabin is a rare (for Cades Cove) two story cabin built by veteran of the Civil War, Colonel Hamp Tipton. December: 9:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. January February: 8:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Operating Hours & Seasons. April 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. If youre looking for interactive things to do in Cades Cove, stop by the Mill for a demonstration. Rich Mountain, Indian Grave Gap, Crooked Arm Trail, https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm. Cades Cove is open year round from sunrise to sunset, weather permitting. Rich Mountain Road Open April 10 November 9. Someone I had run into said it was her 6th bear sighting around Cades Cove that day. Carter Shields was another Civil War veteran, disabled in the battle of Shiloh, who ended up in the valley after the war. Learn more about these must-see things to do in Cades Cove in the Stop by the Visitors Center and Cable Grist Mill section further below. You can be certain they smoked plenty of pork in here along with turkey, local fish, deer, elk, and more. In this case were back to the Cables. I found this to be one of the coolest structures in the valley. Matildas brothers quickly built a crude log cabin for them to live. When you first pull in youll see the largest parking lot in Cades Cove where you can hopefully find a spot. If you have hiking pole I would suggest bringing them. With the hectic and cramped summer season over and kids back in school visitation to the park tapers off and access becomes much easier. Cades Cove Campground has 159 sites available. Theres beauty everywhere in Tennessee, but oh how wed recommend an afternoon spent in Knoxvilles Market Square! The last stop at the Cable Mill Historic Area is the epic John Cable Drive Thru Barn. Rich Mountain Loop Trail (8.3 Miles / 2,000 Gain / Moderate) This moderate half-day hike starts at the Cades Cove entrance Kiosk at the beginning of the Loop. WebVehicle-free access along the Cades Cove Loop Road takes place each Wednesday, from May 4 through September 28, 2022. To make your visit to Cades Cove more enjoyable, take our Cades Cove scavenger hunt list with you and see how many places you can check off during your trip around the Cades Cove Loop Road! Summer in the Smokies brings heat, humidity, and lots of crowds. Wonderful not too populated hike. Even so, driving the Loop Road is one of the best things to do in Cades Cove, indeed in Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Buses, motorhomes, vans longer than 25 feet, and passenger vehicles towing trailers are prohibited on this road. Visit Cades Cove early in the morning for the best chance to see wildlife. Would definitely do it again. There hadn't been a lot of time to put any food by. This hike can accessed from unpaved Forge Creek Road when it is open (March November) or by hiking in from the Visitor Center. There was very little running water at all. There is no cell service in Cades Cove. However, please note some of the activities, like camping and horseback riding, do have fees. May 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Open road near John Oliver Cabin on Vehicle Free Day Lisa Nagurny photo How to get the most out of your Vehicle-Free Day visit 1. It is a stately white wooden building with a simple interior, surrounded by a cemetery which houses the remains of many of the Coves important families. Valley View represents the best opportunity to get a vantage of the Cades Cove Valley and snap a shot. Be patient and resist the urge to yell when another vehicle stops in the middle of the road to look at yet another deer. This should give you enough time to see all of the sites, spot some wildlife, and get out before the afternoon traffic jams really set in. An 11-mile, one-way loop road circles the cove, offering motorists the opportunity to sightsee at a leisurely pace. Updates are available for Newfound Gap Road (US-441), Little River Road, Laurel Creek Road, and Cades Cove Loop Road. From Pigeon Forge, take Highway 321 South towards Gatlinburg. Bears in the park are wild and their behavior can be unpredictable. Actual mile was 9.5. The structure is actually a smokehouse used by the Cables to smoke meat and fish. Treat bear encounters with extreme caution! Your email address will not be published. Generally in good shape. The fall color in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is quite possibly the best of all the national parks. The next stop on our Cades Cove scenic drive takes us of the loop road for a quick 6 minute round trip detour onto Forge Creek Road (which closes during the winter). Cades Cove Arriving early ensures youll have a good chance of seeing some interesting wildlife. You can also walk 15 min from the Cades Cove Visitor Center, which has a large parking lot. Parson Branch Road Closed due to hazard trees. From here, the Loop Road is one-way. The John Oliver Cabin is one of the oldest structures in Cades Cove having been built in the 1820s by John and Lucretia Oliver. A few downed trees, but easily crossed. Stop by the Cades Cove Visitor Center to pick up a souvenir or learn more about the area. Now that you know more about the Cades Cove hours, its time to plan your visit. I had the chance to visit during near-peak fall in October 2021, and boy was it spectacular! The cantilever barn is a 1968 replica of the original. For updated road information please call (865) Across the road from the Tipton Place, youll see the cantilever barn. Learn more about the park's fee program changes for 2023, including a new initiative: the Smokies Parking Tag program. In this case, the only outlet is Abrams Creek to the west. It seems like just two stops ago they were right with us! November: 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Thank you! The road will be closed to all motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and horseback riders from Tuesday, September 7 through Monday, September 27. This trail seems to me to be on the harder side of moderate trail. The most traveled road is Cades Cove Loop, an 11 mile, one-way loop which is also open to bicyclists and bikers. Moderately steep incline for first half of trail-got heart rate up. There are multiple entrances to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but most visitors enter through the Gatlinburg, Tennessee entrance, the Townsend, Tennessee entrance, and the Cherokee, North Carolina entrance. Youre free to walk into the church to see the rustic interior and explore the grounds. Take the exit for National Park / Gatlinburg Bypass. A few down trees along the trail nothing major. I did the trail by making a right turn onto crooked arm ridge trail to start it. Get into the pioneer spirit of Cades Cove and discover the Smokies from horseback. The expansive beauty of the eastern side of the state is known around the globe and has actually made the Great Smoky Mountains National Park the most visited in the nation. 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. The erosion left a huge, fertile valley, ideal for farming and surrounded by gorgeous mountains now known as the Smokies. Keep a lookout for wildlife, including deer, elk, coyote and black bears. The Cades Cove Visitor Center is open year-round, except for Christmas Day. Great views!! The best hours for wildlife viewing really depend on the types of animals you want to see. It has some of the best hiking, fishing and wildlife viewing you'll find in the U.S. We're sharing the inside scoop with you so you can plan your next trip to the Smokies. September 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. November: 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Web1 WhiteWizard Grove City, Ohio Level Contributor 1,862 posts 5 reviews 7 helpful votes 1. WebOn Wednesday the Cades Cove loop is " Stefy & Rachel on Instagram: "Cades Cove loop at the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. Planning your trip to Cades Cove ahead of time means you can avoid some of the worst traffic (or at least be prepared for it) and still manage to experience the best this Park has to offer. Elijah Oliver Cabin via the Wet Bottom Trail, 7. Hike the Cades Cove Nature Trail! Clingmans Dome Road Open March 30 November 30 Forge Creek Road Open March 13 October 31, 2020 Heintooga Ridge Road Open May 15 November 1 for hiker access. They came late in the year and so they needed to set something up just to get them through the winter and to begin clearing the land. For help planning, check out our guide to everything you need to know about Cades Cove. I met 10 other large mammals on the trail in this order: a pair of bears, a pair of humans, a lone doe, another pair of humans, a trio of humans. Love Tennessee? Check it out, here. The first stop on the Cades Cove Loop Road is the John Oliver Cabin. Its best known for the wildflowers in the spring, but visitors can also enjoy oaks, dogwoods, sourwood and pine trees that line Cades Cove. Each ride is roughly 30 to 45 minutes long. After crossing the Gap, turn left onto Fighting Creek Gap Road shortly before the Sugarlands Visitor Center. If you plan to have a picnic in the area, thats another great way to see the animals. Cades Cove Riding Stables offers guided horseback rides that are great for both beginners and experienced riders! Thinking I had found a clever way to avoid the bumper-to-bumper traffic on the back half of Cades Cove, my husband and I attempted to drive out of the Park using Parsons Road back in 2021. It blends the traditional log home and frame home style. Visiting this cabin today one might guess it was a far more modern home due to the craftsmanship. He was working as a collier there, making charcoal for a living. Seriously, there have been problems here with visitors feeding or approaching wildlife that have resulted in serious, even fatal incidents. You can walk right in and explore both floors of the cabin. John was also raising a young family. Bike or walk the Cades Cove Backpackers can explore Great Smoky Mountains vast backcountry using the primitive campsites that dot the trail. This magnificent valley that you see before you was originally called, Tsiya'hi (Ta-sigh-ya-hee), or "Place of the otter" by the Cherokee People who first inhabited this area. Drive or walk about 0.5 miles past the Visitor Center on Forge Creek Road to Henry Whitehead Place. Bike or walk the Cades Cove Loop Road during motor vehicle-free days, Wednesdays from May 3 to September 27, 2023. Townsend, Tennessee is the closest town and entrance to Cades Cove. Its the perfect time to explore the loop with less crowds and enjoy the peacefulness of the area. This hike is a good workout. If this valley had been filled with water, it would very much look like a cove along the coast of the Irish Sea. If you have the option, consider planning your Great Smoky Mountains itinerary in Spring or Fall, when there are fewer crowds than summer. Cades Cove Glad for my poles. There is no admission fee to enter. He had a wife, Lucrecia Frasier Oliver, known locally as Laurany, and a young daughter, Polly. They had children who had children. Parsons Brach Road is only suitable for experienced off-road drivers in a high-clearance vehicle, preferably four-wheel drive. In the late 1800s, Cove resident Matilda Shields Gregory and her young son were deserted by her husband. For the purposes of this article well go in order of what youll see on the Cades Cove Loop Road starting with the first things youll see and finish with the last. Great scenic views and fun water crossings. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing. It was owned by their father, Colonel Hamp Tipton. Grab my free Ultimate National Parks Planning Guide below. Constructed in 1879 by Leason Gregg, the Cable House was built using local lumber milled by John Cable at the Cable Mill. This log cabin was built in the 1820s by the Oliver family who settled in the area. Definitely do this trail before the foliage is on the trees so you can catch a few views of Cades cove. Originally he probably had a borrowed wagon, that he used to bring his necessities down to Tuckaleechee cove, which we now call Townsend. Keep an eye out for several waterfalls visible from the road here, including The Sinks, Cane Creek Twins Falls, and White Oak Flat Falls. Laurany said, later on in life, that if it hadn't been for the Cherokee, they would probably never have survived that first winter. The notched corners dont have any nails or pegs holding it together. It's been extremely dry and the water crossings were easy and, for me, disappointing. If you're looking to experience Cades Cove on your own, you can head to Cades Cove Riding Stables from March 3rd to November 30th every year. Explore This Park Plan your visit today! This road becomes Townsend Entrance Road, which dead ends at Laurel Creek Road. Cades Cove July 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. CADES COVE CAMPGROUND STORE On the carriage ride, you'll be taken along the winding, verdant forest trails that span the Cove. Cosby April 3 Nov. 1 Built between the 1880s and the early 1900s the churches reflect the religious movements of the Cove communities over the years. The church features two front doors which is a vestige of that age allowing women and children to enter on one side and men on the other. He would travel up into the mountains, chop down trees, cut them into 4 foot lengths, pile them up, bury them with dirt, and light them on fire. See Cades Cove Loop from a whole different perspective! For more information, please visit. The tight quarters with short ceilings make one feel especially tall. You can learn more about the Cades Cove Riding Stables offerings with a visit to its official website or Facebook page. Well folks, weve reached the last point of interest on our drive through Cades Cove. Required fields are marked *. September October: 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. Home Book a Cabin Cabins by Bedrooms 1 Bedroom Cabins 2 Bedroom Cabins 3 Bedroom Cabins 4 Bedroom Cabins 5 Bedroom Cabins 6 Bedroom Cabins 7 Bedroom Cabins 8 Bedroom Cabins Cabins by You can spot them almost anywhere in the valley. Vehicle Free Wednesdays Started in Cades Cove What time does Cades Cove open? 2017 by Image Builders. A campground store has some basic items like firewood, limited food & drink items, and basic conveniences for folks who may have forgotten something. But make no mistake, this trail is not easy with some steep inclines. The Cherokee used this valley for hunting but not for permanent settlements. Fighting Creek Gap Road becomes Little River Gorge Road. The park is conveniently located around the mountain tourist town of Gatlinburg, TN, which is just south of the larger tourist town of Pigeon Forge. How is Cades Cove Campground Store rated? If you're looking to experience Cades Cove on your own, you can head to Cades Cove Riding Stables from March 3rd to November This vast and beautiful park is like no other and Im happy to share the best things to do there with you. Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to vehicles, every Wednesday from May 5 to September 1. The cabin we see today was built after John and his family had become well-established members of this growing community. It includes 70+ pages of printable packing checklists, my best planning tips, and everything you need to know to start planning a trip to all 63 National Parks! Use pullouts and parking lots while viewing scenery and wildlife. Did hike on Dec 17th and lots of leaves dried up and layered which can make depth of trail tricky to see. February: 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. August 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Like all trails in Great Smoky Mountains, the parking lot can fill early in the day, so plan to arrive before 9AM for the best chance of getting a spot. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 29 min to complete. Then, follow the Gatlinburg directions to Cades Cove. Trail had puddles but was not too muddy. Ranger-Led Programs. With over 20 pages of detailed hiking guides, printable daily itineraries, lodging and dining suggestions, you can spend less time stressing and more time making epic memories! June August: 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Cades Cove Some say that there was a family that lived here early on called Cades; they moved on but left their name behind. It's not too long, and not too short. Vehicle Free Wednesdays started on June 17, 2020 and will continue through September 30.