Cades Cove Loop

This is our family’s 5th time to GSMNP, driven Cades Cove every time. Expect slow, bumper to bumper traffic, takes 2-3hrs total if you drive the whole loop. If you’re looking for wildlife and not scenic views- this is the place. We’ve seen black bear every time we’ve been in it, and this last time we saw a coyote, deer, & turkeys too!

Very beautiful drive, lots of places to stop and see historic sites. We really enjoyed the loop!

I LOVE the Smokey Mountains and Gatlinburg, so before leaving town I took a VERY LONG scenic drive through Cades Cove and back down to Gatlinburg before heading back north to Minneapolis. Of course, I had days to complete this trip, so taking the time was in my schedule AND so worth it. I wish I had had more time to be able to stop and hike as there are so many magical places to experience however, the drive was perfect. It took me about 4 hours total to complete the round trip, once you get to Cades Cove traffic builds up a bit as many tourists drive this scenic route and it's only one way and everyone is going slow and taking their time, so plan to be patient. I ended up seeing a mama bear with 2 cubs in the WILD! Cherry on top! The drive from Cades Cove back down to Gatlinburg was also breathtaking! I will be back again and next time it will be a camping/hiking trip!

We‘ve never visited Cades Cove. (A single lane road with solid bumper to bumper traffic... 🤔 no!). To allow for hikers/bikers, the Loop would close to motor vehicles Wednesday and Saturday mornings... until 10am.

Smokey Mountain National Park, rolled out their new bike plan June 17th, 2020. Starting today, the Loop is closed to ALL vehicles ALL DAY Wednesdays. Which is great... now you have time to enjoy the old cabins, churches, wildlife, and hiking trails along the way!

I suggest:
1) arrive early (or camp at the Cades Cove Campground) parking lot is limited. Though you will be allowed to park along the road as overflow.

2). Abrams Falls- allow 4hrs to hike in/out. Bring water/lunch if you plan to visit as it will extend your trip. (We didn’t plan appropriately.). (Another note regarding Abrams Falls: don’t follow the first “trail” signage for it. Instead continue around the Loop, until you come to a gravel road and a street sign clearly indicating Abrams Falls).

We saw a few deer, a handful of turkey, and one black bear.

Bike/hike traffic is one way, which is a must as there is a steady flow of people.

Great loupe road .. One way traffic and loads of pull offs. Bears sighted hear .. But no sightings in our day. Still fabulous scenery .. So beautiful. Takes an hour or so .. About an hour from Pigeon Forge