If you are planning to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park during your vacation, you won’t want to miss Cades Cove Loop Road! This 11 mile, one-way loop road is considered a “must see” destination in the Smokies, as it features spectacular scenery, an impressive collection of historical structures, an abundance of wildlife, and much more! Here are some of the top reasons why you’ll want to experience Cades Cove Loop Road:
1. Scenic Tour from the Comfort of Your Car
Cades Cove Loop Road offers the unique opportunity to enjoy one of the most beautiful areas of Great Smoky Mountains National Park from the comfort of your car! Cades Cove is a scenic valley surrounded on all sides by mountains south of Townsend TN, and you’ll want to allow at least 2 to 4 hours to explore the area. Of course, you’ll need to add some time if you plan to stretch your legs along some of the area’s excellent hiking trails! Keep in mind that Cades Cove access is vehicle-free all day on Wednesdays from May to September, providing opportunities for cyclists and pedestrians to experience Cades Cove without vehicular traffic.
2. Fascinating Glimpse Into History
Another one of the top reasons why you’ll want to experience Cades Cove Loop Road is because of the area’s fascinating history! Cherokee Indians hunted in Cades Cove for hundreds of years before the first European settlers arrived sometime between 1818 and 1821. By 1830, the population of the area had already swelled to 271. As a result, Cades Cove offers the widest variety of historic buildings of any area in the national park! While driving along the Loop Road, you’ll find several churches, a working gristmill, log houses and many other restored 18th and 19th century structures.
3. Excellent Wildlife Viewing Opportunities
If you’re hoping to see some wildlife during your visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cades Cove offers some of the park’s best wildlife viewing opportunities! Large numbers of white-tailed deer are often seen along the Loop Road, but also keep your eyes peeled for black bears as you drive along! Some of the other animals that are sometimes spotted in the area include coyotes, groundhogs, turkeys, raccoons and skunks! Don’t forget to scan the trees in your search for some critters, as many animals like to spend their days among the branches!
4. Explore the Cades Cove Visitor Center
About halfway along Cades Cove Loop Road, you’ll find the Cades Cove Visitor Center! This is the perfect place to take a break from your drive, use the public restrooms, browse through the bookstore and interact with the friendly park staff. The facility also features various exhibits about Southern Mountain life and culture, and you can see the grist mill that operates from spring through fall. There are seasonal ranger-led activities too, so don’t hesitate to ask if there are any activities taking place during your visit!
Check out all of the rooms at our hotel in Sevierville TN today to plan the perfect Smoky Mountain vacation and be sure to visit Cades Cove Loop Road! We look forward to seeing you soon!
