Your definitive guide to the Great Smoky Mountains' most popular and breathtaking destination.
Plan Your VisitNestled deep within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cades Cove offers a picturesque valley rich in Appalachian history, abundant with wildlife, and surrounded by spectacular mountain views. Whether you are here to bike the loop, hike to waterfalls, or step back in time at the historic cabins, your adventure starts right here.
Discover the famous 11-mile one-way loop road. Perfect for scenic drives, biking, and unparalleled wildlife viewing.
Get the Guide →Step back in time. Explore preserved 19th-century homesteads, cantilever barns, working grist mills, and historic churches.
Explore History →The valley is home to black bears, white-tailed deer, coyotes, and wild turkeys. Learn where and when to look.
See Wildlife →Step back into the 19th century and explore the preserved farming structures of early settlers.
A feature of the Cable Mill display at Cades Cove is the preserved cantilever barn, a design in which the upper story was larger than its base. This 19th-century farm structure is generally found in the Sevier County area.
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Pork was the principal meat of the time for early settlers, so smokehouses were a common and vital structure in the Cades Cove community to preserve food for the long winter months.
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About the Cades Cove Corn Cribs: In the early days of Cades Cove, protecting the harvest was critical to survival. These unique structures kept corn dry and safe from the abundant valley wildlife.
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GATLINBURG – A new development in Gatlinburg bridges the gap between rustic hillside cabins and well-appointed downtown hotel rooms. Cherokee Orchard features large luxury rental cabins and a pool house with an indoor pool. This collection of cabins has enough space to host up to 500 guests for family reunions, company retreats, or a Smoky Mountain destination wedding.
Read the Full Story →Hands down, Cades Cove is one of the most popular areas in the Great Smoky Mountains. Start your trip right at the visitor center.
The weather in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is variable and changes rapidly. Check out our seasonal breakdown.
When it comes to your winter vacation in Cades Cove, preparation is key. Here is our essential packing list.
Snow covered trails, warm nights by the fire, and frost-covered tree limbs make the valley a magical winter destination.