Tag: Cades Cove

Enjoy a Driving Tour of Cades Cove with the Family

Posted on June 13, 2018 by - Activities, Blog

Heading out into the wilderness seems simple, but it can be complicated – especially when the whole family, with everyone’s disparate ages and tastes, is heading out together. The teenagers in the group want to tackle a challenging trail, while the older and younger crowds are looking for something that’s a little slower-paced. Grandparents and grandchildren may need stroller and walker accessibility, and some members of the family would just as soon be lounging on the back of a pontoon boat, waiting for the fish to bite. How can you keep everyone together?

Take Everyone on a Drive Through Cades Cove

Anyone coming to the Blount County sections of Great Smoky Mountains National Park who hasn’t heard of Cades Cove is sure to get the scoop eventually. It’s well-known for good reason. The Cove is a broad, green, lush mountain valley in the middle of the Smokies, and one of its most popular destinations.

Cades Cove also includes an 11-mile loop road that circles the Cove in one direction and is open to tourists year-round. Bicyclists and hikers can enjoy it traffic-free every Wednesday and Saturday morning before 10 AM; otherwise it’s “open season” for motorists on driving tours. Taking everyone on a driving tour is a great way to keep the family connected – you’re all in the same car (or caravan!), and you can listen to the music of your choice and chat about the scenery as you cruise past.

What You Might See in Cades Cove

Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cades Cove are famous for wildlife viewing, including white tail deer, coyote, elk, fox, and black bears, as well as groundhogs, turkeys, raccoons, and skunks (be careful!). That’s not all – the loop road has a rich history, as well.

As you drive along the loop road, you can see (or park and walk to) buildings like churches, a working grist mill, log houses, and other buildings from the 19th century that have been restored since being originally built by the area’s first migrants from Europe. Numerous trails are also accessible from the road, so you – or just the more active members of your party – can park and walk off the beaten path for a closer look at some Tennessee wilderness.

Get More Details at the Visitor Center

When planning your drive of the Cades Cove loop road, make sure to dedicate at least 2 to 4 hours for the experience, especially during the summer and fall seasons when traffic can be heavy. Cades Cove is accessible from Laurel Creek Road year-round, and Parson Branch Road or Rich Mountain Road during the warmer months.

Cades Cove also includes a Visitor Center halfway around the loop that features restrooms and a bookstore, as well as trail maps and guides that provide more information on the history of the trail and of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Open every day but Christmas, it’s there to provide visitors with a more educational, immersive, safe and fun Smokies experience.

For a Unique View of the Smokies' Fall Foliage, Saddle Up and See it from Horseback

Posted on November 21, 2018 by - Activities, Blog, Smoky Mountains

Are you planning an autumn visit to the Smokies? If so, you’ll love the peacefulness of the season. The summer crowds have departed, and colors of fall are settling into the region. Look up at the peaks and you’ll see the first hints of red, gold and orange, and along with those colors comes a wonderful change in the weather. Cool and sunny days make it easier than ever to spend most of your time outdoors in the amazing landscape.
And while there are many amazing trails, drives and attractions to visit, you don’t have to walk or drive to all of them. In fact, one of the best ways to take in the views of the autumn season are from the back of a horse!

Smoky Mountains Activities

A lot of travelers think of spending their time in the area in their cars, on foot, on bicycles or even floating in a boat or inner tube, yet the beauty of the autumn season can also be experienced via horseback riding. There are many different stables available, and all of the horses are well-accustomed to first-time riders as well as experienced travelers.
There are not many options for unguided journeys, but if you wish to go on your own along the trails, it is possible. Either way, whether as part of a group and guided ride or on your own, you’ll find the woods remarkably quiet and peaceful and the experience unforgettable.

Horseback Riding Stables in the Smokies

For those eager to see for themselves just how wonderful a visit to the Smokies might be when a horseback riding adventure is included, we suggest the following stables:

Next to Heaven Mountain Adventures

This is for those who want an unguided experience. You are carefully matched with your horse and you can then follow the existing trail that leads into the mountains surrounding the stables. The horses are so clever that you just cannot possibly get lost, and even if you get confused, they’ll take you right back home! The site also makes ziplining available in the canopy of trees overhead.

Cades Cove Riding Stables

This is one of the most familiar and famous because it is the only option within the actual Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are fully guided trails, and riders can rest assured that the horses are incredibly gentle and patient. You can also book a hayride or a carriage ride.

Davy Crockett Stables

Another of the stables open to people of all riding levels or skill is Davy Crockett Stables. You can take half day rides or shorter adventures, and most of the tours lead into the woodlands and beautiful, natural areas.
You can also book your accommodations at a ranch, the Twin Valley Horse Ranch and enjoy full or half day rides, and if you don’t yet know how to ride, why not enjoy a day spent in the autumn landscape at the Rolling Hills Farm Equestrian Center or the Mountain Meadow Equestrian Center?
The fall colors come and go quickly, and you can really make the most of them when you enjoy them from the comfort of a calm, friendly horse’s back!

History Buffs Love Learning the History of the Smokies at Cades Cove

Posted on August 3, 2018 by - Activities, Blog, Smoky Mountains

Cades Cove is one of the most visited parts of America’s most visited national park, but there’s more going on in these Tennessee woods than breathtaking natural beauty. Visitors to the Cove with a taste for history will get more than their fair share when they experience the famous Cades Cove loop for themselves.
How to Do the Loop
Cades Cove is a wide valley famous for its wildlife viewing, and it’s also one of the most accessible ways to experience a national park. No hiking is necessary; visitors can drive an 11-mile, one-way loop road through the park, and pull off at certain points to stretch their legs and experience the Cove. It takes from 2 to 4 hours to make it through the Cades Cove Loop in a car, but bikers and pedestrians have the loop road all to themselves on Wednesdays and Saturdays before 10 AM, and so they won’t be slowed down by traffic.
Look Out for the Locals
Cades Cove isn’t just popular with people; animals like white-tailed deer, black bears, coyotes, ground hogs, and wild turkeys also love the valley. Foxes and even the occasional beaver also make the region their home. The hiking trails nearby, like the trail to Abrams Falls or to Rocky Top, offer even better chances to see some animals in action, since they are less likely to be spooked by crowds. Birders will want to keep their eyes peeled for Great Blue and Green Herons, as well as Golden Eagles and American Kestrels.
Check Out the Architecture
Cades Cove was settled by Europeans beginning in the 1820s, and some of their architecture is still standing. Pioneer life in early Appalachia wasn’t easy, and the buildings reflect that. The John Oliver cabin, built in 1822, is sturdy and still stands, as do a number of churches from the mid-1800s, and other 19th– and early 20th-century pioneer cabins and outbuildings.
Cades Cove is also famous for the John Cable Grist Mill, which features the typical mill wheel. The mill actually still works; Cades Cove visitors can watch grain being ground, and then purchase the results at the Cades Cove Visitors Center (along with various jams, jellies, and locally-made trinkets). How’s that for a taste of history?
Take in History, Step by Step
One of the great things about Cades Cove is how visiting these buildings in the Tennessee woods feels like stepping directly into the past. Make sure to stop at the Cades Cove Visitor Center for trail maps and historical information to give you all the context you need to fully appreciate your visit, and don’t procrastinate about taking your trip to see Cades Cove. Even history buffs shouldn’t wait forever!
 

It’s Camping Season: Places to Stay in the Peaceful Side of the Smokies

Posted on October 10, 2022 by - Activities, Blog, Smoky Mountains, Townsend

With cooler temperatures and the emergence of vibrant red and orange hues, fall is upon us, which means camping season is here. Bundle up! These are the top places to camp in the Peaceful Side of the Smokies.

Make it a family vacation.

Big Meadow Family Campground (RV only)

It’s no surprise the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds named this RV park its National Small Park of the Year in 2013 and 2019. They offer easy in, easy out pull-through campsites on concrete pads and patios, protected by 24/7 security. Their full hook up sites include water, sewer, major cable, Wi-Fi and 30/50 AMPs. And with a dog park, workout room, splash pad, basketball court and corn hole, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy.

Townsend Great Smokies KOA (RV, tent and cabin)

With recreational activities abounding, including an outdoor cinema, a playground, a basketball court, wagon rides, a pool, bike and tube rentals, tie-dyed t-shirts and more, Townsend Great Smokies KOA is a great family vacation destination. Rough it in a tent, park an RV and plug into 50 AMPs, or book a cabin. Deluxe cabins feature private bedroom(s), bathroom, patio with a grill, and full linens. You can even stay right on the Little River.

Little River Campground & RV (RV, tent and cabin)

Little River Campground is a great place to make memories with your family. Go tubing in the Little River, swim in the pool, or play in the game room. There are arts/crafts to do on Fridays, including souvenir t-shirt decorating, and there are hayrides on Saturdays. The campsite has 30/50 AMPs, Wi-Fi and Direct TV.

Go on an adventure.

Twin Valley B&B Horse Ranch (Cabin and primitive shelter)

If you’re down for an adventure, consider camping at Twin Valley B&B Horse Ranch. They offer horseback trail riding and miniature horse hiking, and you can swim and fish in a spring fed pond on your own time. Lodge in a fully furnished cabin, or backwoods “rough it” in a one-room, four-sided primitive shelter. To make things easy, they can even pick you up and drop you off at the airport.

Keep it simple.

Riverstone Campground (RV and tent)

Perhaps, you aren’t about the razzle dazzle of most campgrounds. Riverstone Campground offers a more rustic experience. It has shaded and riverfront campsites, which come with a fire pit a picnic table and a nearby bathhouse, It also has places to park your RV. Tent sites start as low as $25 a night, with discounts available for extended stay.

Keep it classy.

Little Arrow Outdoor Resort (RV, tent and cabin)

If you like glamping, you’ll like Little Arrow. You can bring your tent or RV, or you can stay in a heated platform tent, Airstream trailer, cabin or tiny home. The resort has a full calendar of activities for everyone in the family to enjoy, as well as a Spa, community garden, pool/hot tub, cabana, dog park, food truck area and gift shop.

Dancing Bear Lodge (Cabin)

If glamping is still too rustic for you, Dancing Bear Lodge provides the “in nature” experience, without the hassle. Dancing Bear is a full-service Lodge with hotel-like amenities, like daily housekeeping and complimentary snacks. Their cabins and cottages have access to two miles of hiking trails, so you’ll never be too far away from outdoor exploration.

Stay on the Little River.

Mountaineer Campground (RV, tent and cabin)

If you’re looking for the full Smokies experience, Mountaineer Campground is just a half mile from the entrance to the national park. There are a variety of sites to choose from, including ones right on the trout stocked river, with 30/50 amp service. If glamping’s more your speed, there are also cabins with kitchen and bath. In your downtime, enjoy the wildlife photo gallery, playground, pool, pavilion, cable TV and Wi-Fi.

Whispering River Resort (RV, tent and cabin)

Whispering River Resort has more direct river access than any other resort or campground in the area—and it’s yours to enjoy. Go kayaking, enjoy the swimming beach or simply walk the trails. Then, kick back at the bonfire area or pool. Tent and 30/50 AMP RV sites, as well as cabins, are available. There’s even a meeting room and an event center.

Lazy Daze Campground & Motel (RV, tent and cabin)

This family-owned and operated campground has a mix of cabins and campsites—including ones right on the river. Take a splash in the pool, or let your kids get their wiggles out on the playground. Wind down with complementary cable and Wi-Fi. With 24/7 laundry, bathhouses and 30/50 AMPs, this Lazy Daze has all the essentials.

For some fun camping ideas, check out the blog posts below:

Visit Cades Cove

Gourmet S’more Ideas

Learn About the History of the Region with a Tour of Cades Cove

Posted on March 1, 2019 by - Blog, Smoky Mountains, Townsend

If you are coming to the Townsend, TN area for a vacation, a trip into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a must. And if you really want to learn all about the history of the region, then the best place to do so is by taking a tour of Cades Cove.

A First-Hand View of Cades Cove

If you are looking for a first-hand experience of what it must have been like to live here “back in the day,” then you have only to go inside the park and visit Cades Cove. From long walks through the grassy valleys, hikes in the mountains, a chance to see some of the local wildlife, or a walk through the historic buildings, this is the place to be. You and your family can get a taste of what it was like to live here in the early days.
The Cades Cove Loop Road typically takes around 3 to 4 hours to drive, but if you go this fast, you might miss out on a lot. Most of those who come here tend to be here all day since there is so much to see and do.

Things You Might Not Know About Cades Cove

Many of the buildings on display here in Cades Cove have been moved here from elsewhere or were built here after the park opened. For example, the Gregg-Cable House was built out on Forge Creek Road in 1879 by Leason Gregg. Many of the buildings around the John P. Cable Mill have been moved from their original location.
Did you know that the Cades Cove area is the most popular spot in the entire park, bringing in 2 million visitors every year? They come for the hiking trails, the biking opportunities, the spectacular scenery, and the deep history the area has to share with everyone who visits here.

Just Like It Used to Look  

Perhaps the one thing that makes Cades Cove the perfect place to learn about the history of the area is the number of historic buildings and structures you get to see as you drive or walk along the route. There are churches, barns, a working grist mill that just got a new waterwheel, plenty of log houses, and many others to see. Make sure you pick up one of the Tour Guide Booklets at the entrance to the loop.
The guide can provide you with a vast amount of information on the various buildings, the park, and the history of the entire region. Be sure you stop by the Cades Cove Visitors Center to learn about the many Park Ranger-led tours scheduled for the day you plan to be here. Between the knowledgeable and friendly staff in the visitors’ center and your tour guide, you can learn all about the history of Cades Cove, the park, and the surrounding area.
When you are all done for the day, be sure you stop back in at the visitors’ center and pick out a few souvenirs to take home with you. No matter what else you do, be sure you take lots of pictures so you can show the folks back home how beautiful the Peaceful Side of the Smokies truly is!
 

Take the Kids on an Old-Fashioned Hayride in Cades Cove This Fall

Posted on October 1, 2018 by - Activities, Blog, Smoky Mountains

Often described as one of the most appealing and picturesque settings in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cades Cove is a lush and beautiful valley framed on all sides by the majestic mountains. Noted for its amazing amounts of native wildlife, it is the spot where millions of travelers have seen such well-loved animals as black bears, flocks of turkeys, and even small groups of coyotes.
 
Cades Cove Is a Must-See Destination Year-Round
Whether you are traveling in the warm weather of spring and summer or the cooler seasons of winter and fall, Cades Cove is a must-see area in the region. It offers an easy-to-navigate, 11-mile loop drive that includes plenty of places to stop, take in a hike, a picnic and more.
Busiest during the summer and autumn seasons, and especially during the weekends, it is a very enjoyable self-guided tour that can serve as the focal point for your entire day.
However, if you are visiting in the months of March through October, you can see the sights of Cades Cove in a much more relaxed and low-key manner – in one of the old-fashioned hayrides. Offered by Cades Cove Riding Stables, trips range from 1.5 to 3 hours (depending upon traffic in the park) and are usually in the company of a guide or Park Ranger. They are truck or wagon-pulled rides and easily one of the most exciting things for kids to experience.
 
What to Expect on a Cades Cove Hayride
What will a classic hayride through Cades Cove include? The area is dotted with 19th and 20th century farming communities, or what remains of them. During the autumn season, the late afternoon rides allow you to slowly take in those sites, but also the radiant foliage that frames every view or scene. You get to learn what life was like during the earliest days of the settlers and even discover a bit about their home lives, farming methods, and much more.
You can book an autumn season hayride for the hours of 10AM, 12PM or 3PM. The rides will occur unless weather conditions force a cancellation. Because it is autumn, you will want to be sure everyone is dressed comfortably and warmly, and it is perfectly acceptable to bring a few blankets along for the ride.
If you wish to introduce your kids to the history of the people who settled in the Great Smoky Mountains in the last few centuries and do it in a way that is amazingly scenic and fun, hayrides are the way to go.
Hayrides in the region are a popular autumn activity and you can also find them outside of the park including hayrides in downtown Gatlinburg!

Visit Cades Cove

Posted on August 25, 2020 by - Blog, Smoky Mountains

Cades Cove Loop Tour in Jeep

Cades Cove is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visitors can explore a variety of historical sites, enjoy the majestic mountain beauty, and find the thrill of spotting life in the wild. Whether you want to visit the grist mill or hope to run across a family of bears, a visit to Cades Cove will keep the whole family engaged.
Cades Cove Loop Tour in Jeep

New Cades Cove App

The Cades Cove Guide puts the history, nature, wildlife, and trails of the Cove in the palm of your hands. It provides a convenient, safe way to keep track of your locations in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Whether you are connected to Wi-Fi or exploring the scenic route, your personal park tour guide brings adventure up close.
Features

  • View points of interest as a list or on a map, both online and offline.
  • Click on the point of interest for photos, quick facts, unique descriptions, hidden treasures, and related content.
  • Share your experience in the “stories” section for others to enjoy.
  • Filter points of interest by The Loop, Trails, Visitor Info, and List View.
  • View the full app navigation, including the loop, stories, nature, wildlife, history, and visitor information.

Cades Cove Guide for Phones

Cades Cove History

The first European settlers arrived in the Cove during the early 1820s, quickly clearing the abundant lands for farming. Community buildings were erected, such as log homes, barns, and smokehouses. But even before the Europeans arrived, Cherokee Indians traveled through the valley hunting for deer, bear, elk, and bison. 
By 1850 the population had grown to 685, and it was not uncommon for households to have ten to twelve children. As the population grew, the community’s needs grew. Soon Baptist and Methodist churches were built, followed by schoolhouses for the kids. Neighbors often worked together, creating social events from tasks like corn husking and molasses making, allowing young couples to court, eventually leading to marriages. Deaths also brought the community together. Men would make coffins and dig graves, while the women would prepare the body for burial. Then everyone chipped in to help the grieving families by cooking meals and helping bring in crops. 
In 1927 the state began purchasing the land for the creation of the national park. Some families welcomed the state’s effort and willingly sold their property and moved out, but many families resisted the attempts. Several residents signed life-leases that allowed them to stay on the land for the rest of their lives, as long as they abided restrictions on hunting, trapping, and timber cutting. The last school in Cades Cove closed in 1944, and the post office soon followed in 1947. Today the National Park Service designated the Cove as a “historical area” and restored and maintains the buildings as they looked in the early days of the settlers.
Cades Cove Historical Sites      Cades Cove Backpacker

Explore the Cove

Each Wednesday, through September 30th, the park offers vehicle-free access along the Cades Cove Loop. The loop is an 11-mile, one-way road circling the Cove, which gives motorists access to sites and the opportunity to sightsee at their own pace. Allow for two to four hours to tour Cades Cove, longer if you stop to explore any of the area trails. Traffic is heavy during the summer, fall, and weekends throughout the year.
Many trails begin in the Cove, including accessible hikes like Abram Falls or more time-consuming hikes like Thunderhead Mountain. Also, make sure to check out the many historical landmarks located within Cades Cove. Sites like the John Oliver Cabin, the Becky Cable House, and the Elija Oliver Place give you a peek into the settler’s home lives in the 19th century. You can also check out the Primitive Baptist Church, the Missionary Baptist Church, and the Methodist Church to learn more about where to community came together to worship. And don’t forget to check out local wildlife like black bears, elk, white-tailed deer, turkey, or woodchucks. But make sure to follow these safety tips and do not feed or approach any animals.  
There is so much to do, so download and use the Cades Cove App to plan your next visit.
Cades Cove App in Use on Phone
 
For more information on the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, check out these posts:

5 Tips for Planning the Perfect Smoky Mountains Vacation

Planning a Family Trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Top 5 Things To Do in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the Spring

Visiting the Smokies with Your Sweetheart? Snuggle Up for a Carriage Ride through Cades Cove

Posted on November 26, 2018 by - Blog, Smoky Mountains

The leaves are turning all through the Great Smoky Mountains, there is a nip in the air, and the snow has yet to arrive. What could be better than snuggling up with that someone special in your life in a horse-drawn carriage under a warm blanket while you are taken on a guided carriage ride that takes you on a tour of Cades Cove? If you love the great outdoors, there is simply no better way to see the breathtaking scenery. It is the perfect way to see it all as a couple, or you can bring the kids with you.

A Guided Tour of Cades Cove

The best way to see all that Cades Cove has to offer is seated comfortably in a carriage, hauled through the park by one or more horses. The horses all know the way, but more importantly, so do the drivers! They know more about the Cades Cove area than just about anyone, including the Park Rangers.
Kick back and relax while the carriage conveys you along some of the most scenic trails in the park in peace and quiet. The only sounds you will hear are the clip-clop of the horse’s hooves and that of the wheels on the trail. While you are comfortably sitting back and enjoying the scenery, your guide will tell you about history of the area. And, more than just a detailed history of the area, they will regale you with tales of the old days in this most beautiful part of the state.
Your guide will tell you about what things were like here in the old days, how people lived, their lifestyles, how they fed themselves, about the log cabins, and so much more. Along the way, as you cruise gently through the park, your guide will tell you about the local flora and of course the many animals and birds who call this part of the Smokies home. If you are fortunate, you will have the opportunity to see many of the local residents, both four-legged and winged.

A Carriage Ride for Two—or More

Depending on the carriage you choose, there is room for more than just two. Most have room for up to six people, depending on the size of those who will be occupying the carriage. This way, you can bring the kids along and let them see all of the beauty of the Smokies and, of course, of Cades Cove. Most of the carriage rides last less than an hour, but along the way, there are mountain streams, towering peaks, and majestic trees to see, along with bears, deer, and wild turkeys. The carriage rides are safe for everyone and make an outstanding way to spend a little romantic time together as a couple or as a family.
Do keep in mind that these rides are extremely popular, and the proprietors do not take reservations; all rides are on a first come, first serve basis. You may have to wait for an available carriage, but you will find the wait to be worth it. Be sure you take a carriage ride through Cades Cove this fall; you can’t afford to miss out on the ride of a lifetime!