directions

Spending the day at Cades Cove is a must for every visitor to the Smoky Mountains. You won't want to miss the beautiful wildlife, great views of the national park and all of the history that is found within the old buildings and structures at Cades Cove. 

But, of course, how do you get to Cades Cove? We've got directions to Cades Cove for you below, so keep reading!

Directions to Cades Cove

Keep in mind: there is only one driving entrance into the Cades Cove Loop, from Laurel Creek Road. Although you may see many online maps that may appear to show multiple entrances, this is the only one leading directly into the Loop. 

Directions: From Gatlinburg to Cades Cove

From Gatlinburg, just follow the main Parkway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. After you see Sugarlands Visitor Center, you can take a right on Little River Road. You stay on Little River Road which is a winding road, and often busy, for a little over 20 miles. The scenery is beautiful on your way to Cades Cove, where you will dead end.

Directions: From Pigeon Forge to Cades Cove

There's a couple of different ways to reach Cades Cove from Pigeon Forge.

First, you can follow the Pigeon Forge Parkway all the way into Gatlinburg, then to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Then, just follow the directions from Gatlinburg to Cades Cove.

Second, you can take Wears Valley Road and take a drive through Wears Valley to Townsend to reach Cades Cove. You'll take the Lyon Springs Road entrance to the national park, and then you'll you'll use Little River Road to reach Laurel Creek Road at Cades Cove. The drive from Pigeon Forge to Cades Cove is quicker than the drive through Gatlinburg if you're already in the Pigeon Forge area.

Of course, if you're already in Gatlinburg, use the directions through the Gatlinburg entrance to the national park and don't backtrack to take the Pigeon Forge route.

For more help with directions from Gatlinburg to Cades Cove or from Pigeon Forge to Cades Cove, use the map below.

driving distances

locationdistance to cades cove
Townsend11
Pigeon Forge26
Maryville28
Gatlinburg29
Knoxville45
Lenoir City47
Loudon54
Fontana58
Asheville109
driving distances (in miles) to cades cove from nearby areas