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Cades Cove is the heaviest visited area of the Great Smoky Mountains National park which is the most popular national park in the country. You have not really seen the Great Smoky Mountains national park unless you have spent time in the worlds famous Cades Cove in Tennessee. No matter how little time you have in the Smokies, be sure to see the Cove.

Cades Cove offers it visitors camping, hiking; horseback riding, biking, fishing, picnicking, and a host of other outdoor activities can be found from dawn to dusk in this serene valley. Since cars, vans, and motorcycles can access the 11 mile loop road that circles the valley floor, even those who due to physical restrictions that might otherwise not be able to otherwise enjoy nature up close can enjoy the natural splendor this fabulous national park can offer to its visitors.

Cades Cove in the fall at dusk
Cades Cove Tennessee October Late Fall Colors
Abrams Falls in a Cades Cove nature trail
Cades Cove Abrams Falls Hiking Trail Waterfall

The Loop Road in the valley of Cades Cove changes not only with the seasons, but with every twist and turns on the loop rood which passed fields, low lying woods, historic cabins, barns, churches and cemeteries. Be prepared for small streams, deer an even mother bear and her cubs crossing the road.

Cades Cove can get quite crowded on holidays and leaf season which runs from October into November see the heaviest traffic. Expect the loop to take between 2 to 4 hours depending on traffic. Can't do the whole loop? There are 2 popular shortcuts which cut down your tour of Cades Cove: Sparks Lane comes up first which makes your trip only 3.5 miles and Hyatt Lane which is only an 8 mile trip. Be careful as these shortcuts can see 2 way traffic whereas the rest of Cades Cove is one way traffic.

Historical cabins can be found in Cades Cove
Historical cabins can be found in Cades Cove
Green meadows in Cades Cove in the spring
Green meadows in Cades Cove in the spring

The loop road is open year round but May is my favorite time of the year. You will find the road closed to vehicular traffic until 10:00 am on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Early May to late September for the many bikers and hikers.

I have found his very spot in the heart of the Smokies to be my favorite part of the park. While I love the pristine nature of the woods through out the park, seeing horses and deer grazing in a fields which perfectly frame the woods and the mountains is a breath taking site.

You can rent and ride horses with a group along a guided trail along the Cades Cove valley floor. There are also guided horse drawn hay rides in Cades Cove and now bikes can be rented at the Cades Cove Concession area.

To me the ultimate choice to hold a wedding or special event in the area would be in Cades Cove.

Cades Cove Tennessee Visitor Center Information in the GSMNP


Cades Cove Tennessee Cable Mill Grist Mill Information in the GSMNP


Campgrounds Store in Cades Cove Tennessee Information GSMNP

Cades Cove Campground Store Hours March 5th - May 31st: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Cades Cove Campground Store Hours June 1st - August 15th: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Cades Cove Campground Store Hours August 16th - November 4th: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm


Cades Cove Horseback Riding Stables in the GSMNP



Weddings and Special Events in Cades Cove Tennessee Section of the GSMNP

Park regulations do allow weddings or special events, but you are required to get a special permit in advance which you may get by calling (865)448-4103 or (865)448-4109.

You may also request a permit in writing from the Cades Cove District Ranger by fax at (865)448-4117 or by mail.

District Ranger
Attn: Permit Applications
Cades Cove 10042 Campground Drive
Townsend, TN 37882

If you obtain a permit for a special event in Cades Cove or any part of the national park, there are some rules to follow to keep Cades Cove the wonderful place it is for all to enjoy.

Some examples of park rules for events are that you can not throw rice or bird seed in the national park, nor can you keep the public away from any place you are having a gathering or ceremony such as a church in Cades Cove which remains open to the public.

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