The entrance from Townsend, Tennessee, is closest to Cades Cove. From Townsend, TN:
Take TN-73 E into the park. Then head southwest on Laurel Creek Road to Cades Cove
. From Gatlinburg, TN: Enter the park on TN-441 south through Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge to Sugarlands Visitor Center.
How much does it cost to visit Cades Cove?
Admission is free
. Cades Cove features an 11-mile, paved loop road around the cove. A self-guiding auto tour booklet is available for $1 at loop road entrance. The booklet provides an excellent description of the historic buildings and other sites in the cove.
Can you drive through Cades Cove right now?
Access the Cades Cove Loop from Laurel Creek Road, Parson Branch Road, or Rich Mountain Road—
the latter two roads are closed during winter
. The Loop is a one-way (one-lane) paved road. The scenic driving tour through the Cades Cove Loop takes approximately two to four hours depending on traffic.
How long does it take to bike Cades Cove Loop?
If you are in good shape and cruising fast with no stops, expect it to take
at least an hour
. For most families, I would plan for about 2 hours. Aim for 3- 4 hours if you stop to explore some of the sites on the loop like the John Oliver Cabin, Primitive Baptist Church, or the Cable Mill.
Are there bathrooms in Cades Cove?
It is good to note, as well, that
the bathrooms are located at the amphitheater near the campground, and half way around the loop at the visitor center
(see map below).
What is the best time to see bears in Cades Cove?
Bears can be found throughout the park, but are easiest to spot in open areas such as Cades Cove and Cataloochee Valley. Go in the
morning (6 a.m. to 10 a.m.) or late afternoon (3 – 7 p.m.)
. Black bears tend to be out foraging around these times, and an added perk is that the morning and/or evening light is divine.
Is Cades Cove still closed?
Cades Cove is
open year round from sunrise to sunset
, weather permitting.
Can you walk Cades Cove?
Walking Cades Cove on a car-free day
While
it’s possible to walk the Cades Cove Loop Road at any time that the road is open
, you may not want to be constantly walking alongside cars and the car exhaust that goes with it!
What is so special about Cades Cove?
Located about an hour away from downtown Gatlinburg, TN, Cades Cove is famous for its
well-preserved historic buildings, lovely mountain vistas, and unrivaled wildlife viewing
. All of the valley’s major landmarks are conveniently located along an 11-mile loop road, which makes the Cove ideal for auto touring.
Can I drive my RV through Cades Cove?
Smokemount and Cades Cove campgrounds can accommodate the largest vehicles, up to 40 feet for motorhomes and up to 35 feet for trailers
.
Why is Cades Cove closed?
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced Cades Cove Loop Road will be fully closed for three weeks in the fall
to resurface the roadway
.
Is Cades Cove Open 2022?
Cades Cove Loop Road: Vehicle-free access along the Cades Cove Loop Road each Wednesday, from May 4th through September 28th. Otherwise the road is
open daily from sunrise until sunset, weather permitting
. Clingmans Dome Road: Open April 11 – November 30, 2022, weather permitting.
Is Clingmans Dome in Cades Cove?
Clingman’s Dome to Cades Cove. Important!
Clingmans Dome Road is closed in the winter
. This is a one-way trip so you will have to either have two cars or have someone pick you up at Cades Cove or drop you off at Clingman’s Dome.
Is Cades Cove Loop Open?
The Cades Cove Loop Road is
open daily from sunrise until sunset, weather permitting
, with the following exceptions: The road is closed to vehicle traffic every Wednesday and Saturday until 10 a.m. from May 10 to September 27, 2017.
How hard is it to bike Cades Cove?
Although the Cades Cove Loop Road is only 11 miles in total, it is a pretty hilly journey.
The hills aren’t so strenuous you will have trouble biking the area, but it does mean that it will take a little more energy than your casual ride around the neighborhood
.
Can you ride Ebikes in Cades Cove?
According to a release,
low-speed electric bikes, also called e-bikes, will be allowed in the park in locations bicycles are currently allowed
. Officials stated both Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes, which provide electronic assistance until the rider reaches 20 mph, will be allowed.
How hilly is Cades Cove?
The cove loop is 11 miles and does have
a couple of challenging hills both up and down
where you will enjoy gearing down into an easier gear for the brief but steep climb. Many folks just walk the hills – there aren’t that many. There are two downhills where riders are cautioned to dismount and walk your bike down.
Does anyone live in Cades Cove?
Cades Cove Today
Although
the Caughron family’s home no longer stands today
, it’s marked by an old apple tree and a handful of lilies that bloom in the spring. The National Park Service manages and maintains Cades Cove the way it looked in the early days of the settlers.
Can you ride UTV in Cades Cove?
These UTV’s are allowed on roads in the Smoky Mountain area including within the national park on Cades Cove
, Rich Mountain, Tremont, Townsend, Foothills Parkway, Elkmont, and the town of Gatlinburg. You may ride your UTV rental on any roads in the region that have a posted speed limit of 40 mph or less.
Does it cost to go to Clingmans Dome?
One of the best things about trekking to Clingmans Dome is that
it’s free
! There is no entrance fee to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Are black bears aggressive?
However, black bears are
typically not aggressive
and fear the “repercussions of attacking someone,” Garshelis said. “They just don’t want to attack people,” Garsheilis said. “They’re kind of timid animals.”
What months are bears most active?
If you want to give yourself the best chance to see an active bear,
September and October
are the best months. Bears are most active during this period, preparing for their lengthy hibernation. Some of the most popular activities for bears include snoozing, wandering, and fishing.
Will I see a bear in Cades Cove?
Cades Cove is a popular destination for wildlife viewing due to the open fields that make it easier to spot bears, deer, turkey, coyotes, and other critters. However,
there is no guarantee that you will see a bear while in the Cove
. After all, they are wild animals and travel wherever they please.
What town is closest to Cades Cove?
Townsend TN
has the closest entrance to Cades Cove of any town near the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Serene and beautiful, Townsend is referred to as the peaceful side of the Smokies, and has much to offer the Smokies visitor who is looking to get away from their busy life.
Can you be buried at Cades Cove?
Here you can find many of the early settlers of Cades Cove, including the very first, John Oliver and his wife, whose cabin you passed just before arriving at the church.
Those who lived in the area when Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established and their family members can still be buried in the cemetery
.
Are there wolves in Cades Cove?
The first red wolf family stepped out of a large cage and into the wild of the Great Smoky Mountains in November 1991.
Two more families were released in 1992 at Cades Cove and Tremont
. Not everyone celebrated the return of a renowned hunter. “A lot of people were skeptical about bringing wolves in.
