Courtesy

A Little Courtesy & A Few Rules With millions of Smokies visitors coming to Cades Cove every year, a few rules of courtesy can makes visits more pleasant for everyone. Drive slowly along the Cades Cove loop for the safety of hikers and bikers and wildlife crossing the loop. The speed limit is 20 mph. When viewing wildlife or simply admiring a beautiful view, please use the roadside pullouts so that traffic does not build up on the...

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Safety

In the event of an emergency in the park, dial 911 or call the Park Emergency Line at (865) 436-9171. Dealing with Hazards, Getting Lost, and Injuries. Trail Maps help you prevent becoming lost so it is important to have a map of the Cades Cove trails when coming to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. If you have no map and do get lost, officials of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park advise you to stay on the trail where you...

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Wildflowers

azalea mountain laurel rhododendron butterfly weed purple lady slipper yellow lady slipper white lady slipper The greatest show in Cades Cove is probably given in late June by Gregory’s Bald’s azaleas, but the earlier blooming rhododendron and laurel would surely be a close choice. Cades Cove is a beautiful place to view wildflowers. Some of the varieties are Queen Ann’s Lace, Daisies, Black-eyed Susans, Butterfly...

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Ranger Programs

Learn about the many aspects of Cades Cove from The Great Smoky Mountain National Park’s ranger led programs available spring through autumn. The park rangers are trained in everything from biology to history and are an added asset to any trip to Cades Cove. GSMNP led programs use a variety of teaching methods including both formal curriculum-based education and less formal walking tours, Junior Ranger programs, slide shows, ranger...

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Visiting

Due to Cades Cove’s popularity as The Great Smoky Mountain National Park’s most compelling attraction, some tips are helpful in planning your trip. Wildlife viewing is almost a given if you tour Cades Cove in the early morning just after sunup or late in the afternoon towards sundown. For your convenience, please note that over 2 million visitors come to the Smoky Mountain’s Cades Cove each year and many of them are aware...

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