There is still traffic, just a lot less of it. This is a great way to explore the entire 11 mile loop and its historic sites in detail. On foot or on pedal is by far the best way to enjoy the scenic splendor of Cades Cove. You really get a sense of disconnecting and slowing down from modern life for a few hours.
You can do the whole 11 mile loop road or use the gravel lanes that cut through the middle of the valley to make either a 4 mile or an 8 mile long loop. You can also put a leash on the dog and head out on foot dogs can go anywhere cars can go in the park but not on any trails. Just make sure leash is a good one because there are bears and deer and turkeys all close to the road at times. Bear cutting across Hyatt Lane on a car-free Wednesday.
I love biking these gravel roads that cut across the middle of the cove. It is even quieter than the loop road and I always see wildlife. The campground is over by the bike rental place 1 on the map. The kids will enjoy walking around the historic buildings to explore what life was like before electricity or heaven forbid, the internet. You can even go upstairs in some of the cabins to explore the lofts where usually all the kids in the family would have slept together. So many chances to remind them how good they have it now!
Or you can buy it online. If you have time, the kids may want to participate in a ranger program or complete their junior ranger badge here. This is a good stop if you only do one because there is a lot to see here. A historic grist mill, smokehouse, and two barns are in the Cable Mill Historic Area as well as the Becky Cable house, which was one of the largest and fanciest houses in the cove. The grist mill is a working mill and has frequent demonstrations.
The kids like the long flume that brings water to the wheel from the creek. You will find lots of great books about the cove and the Smokies in general, especially a few excellent but harder-to-find, locally published books. The kids corner is well stocked too. The Cable Grist Mill is a working mill powered by a water wheel. Image courtesy of Jody Claborn. All of the historic sites are interesting but if you are looking to explore in a little bit of peace and quiet, stick to the ones not directly on the road like 2- Primitive Baptist Church , 5- Elijah Oliver Cabin , and 7- Henry Whitehead Cabin.
Not many people stop at this little place though, because it is the last one on the loop and they tend to be over it by that time. The John Oliver Cabin is a little away from the road but since it is the first place people come to when beginning the loop, everyone usually stops here. It is beautiful but tends to be crowded. Take advantage of camping here and walk over late one afternoon from the campground.
As said before, exploring the loop by bike is by far the most fun. It will take you maybe 90 min to bike the whole 11 miles without stopping at any places more like 90 at a leisurely pace and walking up some of the steeper hills. So you can stop at most or all of the historic places to look around and still finish the loop easily in hours. Start mid- morning after a hearty breakfast, pack a lunch to enjoy at the far side of the cove, and you will still be done by early afternoon, just in time for a nap back at the campsite.
Even on a misty morning, the kids always love riding around Cades Cove on their bikes. We do it several times a year. Plan on being ready right when the loop opens at 8 am on both days. Then come back to the campground. On Day 2, again start at 8am.
Then finish the loop back to the campground, stopping at 9- Tipton Shields Place and Carter Shields Cabin on the way out. This is an easy, kid- friendly short hike and evening is a better time to see animals. See Hikes below. These trails are within walking distance of the Cades Cove Campground. Actually starting from the picnic area adjacent to the campground, Anthony Creek Trail is one of our favorites in the park.
Wide and fairly flat for the first 1. You can hike its entire 3. Both are great trails through dense forest. The trailhead is located at the beginning of the one-way section of the road thru Cades Cove, near the parking area that is just before the gates that close the loop road at night. You can hike the relatively flat, 1. If your family is up for a longer and more strenuous hike, then do the an 8. The trailhead for Rich Mountain Trail is just beyond the parking area at the beginning of the one-way portion of the road around Cades Cove.
These trails are just a short drive from the Cades Cove Campground. One of the most popular trails in the park, Abrams Falls is a lovely hike that is 5. Because it is so popular, I would absolutely plan on doing this first thing in the morning as the parking area can quickly fill up in the summer or on fall weekends. I last did this hike on a car-free Wednesday, biking to the trailhead off the loop road, doing the hike, and then biking back to my car at the picnic area.
If you are up for it, this is a pretty perfect way to spend a day. I started at am and was finished by 1 pm. The hike took me 2. This is a strenuous hike but absolutely worth it especially in mid to late June when the azaleas atop the bald burst into flame.
At But for those up to it, this is one of the best hikes in the Smokies. The trailhead is at the end of Forge Creek Rd, which is the short road heading due south from loop road near the Cable Mill Historic Area. Cades Cove Riding Stables has guided trail rides, carriage rides, and even hay rides for all kinds of riders, kids to grandparents. You have to be at least 4 ft tall, 6 years old, and under pounds.
The Cades Cove Horse Stable is located just off the campground entrance road. Before crossing the bridge into the campground, the stable is on the right.
Horses are available for rent and several nearby trails are open for equestrians. The stables also offer hayrides and carriage rides from March to October. Of course, the main reason people come to Cades Cove Campground is to camp. One hundred twenty-nine sites are perfect for recreational vehicles. If you stay in Section B of the campground, you will be close to the creek. It is the largest section with 85 campsites. You may also use a generator in B Section. Section C has 73 campsites, but does not allow generator use from May 15 to October To get to the four Group Campgrounds you must drive through Section C.
You can reserve a site up to one year in advance. The fantastic location is a major factor for the number of guests each year, but the facilities themselves provide ample reason to camp here. The Cades Cove Campground Store is a great resource.
You can purchase select groceries, ice, camping supplies, park approved firewood , and some convenience items. By the population of the area had already swelled to The park holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills, have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park, a few of which are easily accessible from the Cades Cove loop road.
If you wish to cancel your reservation the day of your arrival you MUST contact the campground office in order to receive a refund. Campers might be able check email, send texts, and make calls. Connectivity is not known for this campground. Free 7 day pro trial Learn More Start Trial.
View All. Do you own or manage this property? Claim Your Listing. Overview Over 2 million visitors annually come to enjoy the scenic beauty of Cades Cove and its many historic structures.
Whether blanketed in bright wildflowers in the spring…. Read More Submitted. Stay Connected Learn More Submitted. WiFi Available. Verizon Unknown. T-Mobile Unknown. Tent Sites. RV Sites. For Campers. You can make a reservation for one of the sites anytime of the year and you can look forward to flushable toilets, drinking water, bike rentals, and even a few electric hook-ups.
The Deep Creek area is loved for its waterfalls and streams. For those looking for a more secluded campground, choose to stay at Cataloochee. The camp is open from March to late October but reservations are required. Another popular campground is the Elkmont Campground. The area has sites and is close to Gatlinburg as well as three nearby hiking trails that you can go on with your friends or family.
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