Trip Planner: USA / Tennessee / Great Smoky Mountains National Park / Cades Cove

Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

4.4

#1 of 110 in Wildlife in Tennessee

Wildlife Area · Nature / Park

Create an itinerary including Cades Cove

Nestled among Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains, Cades Cove offers opportunities to explore historical areas and untamed wilderness. Drive the 17.7 km (11 mi), one-way road circling the lush valley at an easy pace. Stop to view the mills, churches, barns, and houses dating as far back as 1818, when the first European settlers arrived in the cove. Keep an eye out for the region's resident deer, wild turkeys, and black bears. At the visitor center, pick up an informational booklet, available for a small fee, so you can enjoy a self-guided tour of the area. Plan to visit Cades Cove and other customer-reviewed, writer-recommended Great Smoky Mountains National Park attractions using our Great Smoky Mountains National Park day trip planning app.

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Tours to Cades Cove

BOOK WITH VIATOR Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Audio Driving Tour

5.0

Duration: 8h - 24h

Tours from $15 ›

BOOK WITH VIATOR 100+ Self Guided Driving & Walking Tours by Action

5.0

Tours from $45 ›

Cades Cove reviews

Rate this attraction

TripAdvisor traveler rating

5,521 reviews

Google

4.7

By K2003PLbrendah

Cade's Cover Loop is the best part of the trip to the Smokies. Your on a bear hunt. It's 11 miles one way so takes a couple hours mainly because when a bear is spotted, people stop to take pictures..... more

Cade's Cover Loop is the best part of the trip to the Smokies. Your on a bear hunt. It's 11 miles one way so takes a couple hours mainly because when a bear is spotted, people stop to take pictures..... more »
By jaybird6952

Had a great day today driving through the loop! Got to see several bears and some up close! And people listened to the park rangers to get a picture and move on, keeping traffic moving

Had a great day today driving through the loop! Got to see several bears and some up close! And people listened to the park rangers to get a picture and move on, keeping traffic moving more »

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Google

By Jamie Sharp

This was my third time being at Cades Cove in Tennessee. I've had the opportunity to see several black bears on each occasion. I got within 20 feet of one this time and got some great videos along with photos. There are also several deer along with other wildlife. The backdrop of the smoky mountains all around you is worthy of the trip as well. This is an 11 mile loop that you can drive at your own pace with several locations to pull off for photo opportunities.

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By James Aderman

When exploring the Smoky Mountain National Park, don't miss Cades Cove. It's 11-mile loop provides access to a variety of homesteads and churches that give insight to life in the mountains 150 years ago. Take your time. Enjoy the views. Read the signs. Look for wildlife. Allow yourself to be transported back in time to a much younger America.

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