The Most Unique List Of The Top 15 Things To Do In Cades Cove

autumn trees in Cades Cove

Make the most of your visit to the most popular spot in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with this list of the top 15 things to do in Cades Cove! We’ve got local insights, tips for avoiding the worst of the traffic, and key things you won’t want to miss along the way.

Don’t forget to check out the FAQs at the end for some know-before-you-go tips. And, if you’re still in the planning phase of your East Tennessee getaway, remember to book your trip directly with a trusted property manager for the best service and rates in the area. 

Venture Smoky Mountains has a gorgeous inventory of hundreds of homes in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and Wears Valley, so no matter where you want to call home, we've got the perfect spot for you and your family or group.

See All Smoky Mountains Vacation Rentals

In This Article:

  • Top 15 Things to Do in Cades Cove
  • Know Before You Go info
  • How to Get the Best Rate on Vacation Rentals Near Cades Cove
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Top 15 Things to Do in Cades Cove

You'll discover hidden hideaways, old caves, scavenger hunts, and more along this 11-mile scenic loop located roughly 20 miles from Gatlinburg. If you’re looking to enjoy a day in the park during your vacation, this list will give you tons of ideas that go beyond the traditional recommendations.

1. Take a Guided Horseback Ride

Shortly after you pull into Cades Cove, you’ll see a fenced area and a field full of horses. While taking time to admire their beauty is certainly recommended, you can bump that up a notch with a guided horseback riding excursion from Cades Cove Stables.

Guided Ride Quick Facts

  • Rides are offered throughout the day
  • Rides last approximately 1 hour
  • Groups limited to 9 people
  • Must be at least 6 years old, 4 feet tall, and there is a 300-pound weight limit
  • Prices: $50 per person for ages 13 and up. $40 per person for ages 6-12.

2. Hike a Waterfall Trail

Abrams Falls is one of the most popular sites to see as you travel the loop. At the backend of the cove, it’s a great spot to stop and stretch your legs after riding for a while. The turnoff for the trail is past stop #10. Make sure your shoes have good tread, as you’ll walk over tree roots and rocky stretches of path.

Abrams Falls Hike Stats:

  • Length: 5 miles
  • Type: Out and Back
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Estimated Time: 2 hours

3. Spot Wildlife

Take advantage of the pull-offs along the route and admire the rich wildlife around you. During your visit, you’re likely to spot a black bear or two, coyotes, turkeys, elk, foxes, deer, and much more!

4. Enjoy the Ride

Above all, the Cades Cove Loop Road is a scenic drive, so if all you want to do is sit back and take in the sights, you can certainly do that! The route is even equipped with a couple of turnaround spots if you decide you don’t want to make the whole loop.

The first turnaround is at Sparks Lane, near the John Oliver Cabin - about 20-30 minutes after you enter the cove, depending on how busy it is. The second is at Hyatt Lane past the Methodist Church. Turning around here will give you a view of about two-thirds of the cove.

Hyatt Lane is the last chance to cut your trip short. Once you pass it, you’re on the road until you’ve officially made the whole loop.

5. Visit Historic Buildings

There are more than 90 unique things to see inside Cades Cove. Historic structures like churches, cabins, and mills are popular sites to explore. You’ll also find old cemeteries, abandoned caves, and expansive lookout valleys.

6. Attend an Annual Event

 If your visit happens to fall at the right time, you can enjoy one of the popular annual events held in Cades Cove.

  • Cades Cove Loop Lope: A fun run around the loop that supports Friends of the Smokies, a non-profit that helps preserve the National Park.
  • Old Timer’s Day: Held on the third weekend of September, this event brings former Cades Cove residents and their descendants together to tell stories of life in these historic communities.
  • Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage: Each April, enjoy guided walks and exhibits that help you experience wildflower season in the cove to its fullest potential.

7. Go for a Hayride

Cades Cove Stables also offers guided, tractor-pulled hayrides, perfect for families with little kids or for larger groups.

Hayride Details

  • March 8 – May 31: Rides at 10 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM
  • June 1 – August 15: Rides at 10 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM, and 6 PM
  • August 16-Season Closing: Rides at 10 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM
  • Price: $25 per person ages 16 and up. $15 per person ages 2-15
  • Up to 55 riders per hayride
  • Duration: 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic

8. Visit Secret Spots

Beyond the cabins and mills, there are some off-the-beaten-path spots you should add to your must-see list:

  • The Pearl Harbor Tree: Planted on the day of the Pearl Harbor attack to honor the lives lost, this tree still stands as a tribute to that infamous event. Park at the Missionary Baptist Church and walk 0.1 miles. Look for a clearing on the left and a tree with a metal tag.
  • Gourley’s Pond: Best viewed after a heavy rain, this pond is set off from the road, so many miss it. Park at the LeQuire Cemetery and walk roughly 200 feet. Turn on the trail on the right and follow until you reach the water.
  • Gregory’s Cave: Visitors explored this abandoned mining cave until it closed to the public in 1935. To reach it, park near the John Oliver Cabin and look for a dirt road that’s fenced off to prevent traffic. Follow that road past some picnic tables, and the cave will be just a ways ahead.
  • Parson Branch Road: Looking for an alternative exit to the cove? This one-way route offers an 8-mile pass straight to Highway 129. Note, don’t take this route if your car can’t make it down narrow gravel roads. High-clearance vehicles are recommended.

9. Check Out the Welcome Center

The Cades Cove Visitor Center is located about halfway through the loop. Stop for a bathroom break or to check out the Smoky Mountain merch! While you wander the area, check out the gristmill, the Becky Cable house, or go on a ranger-led excursion! 

10. Cast a Line

Did you know you can fish the waters in Cades Cove? Well, you can! Just make sure you:

  • Purchase a Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license
  • Follow daily limit rules: A combination of five rainbow and brown trout (minimum of seven inches) is allowed per day. Brook trout are strictly off limits, as the park is working to repopulate the species.
  • Use approved equipment and lures: One hand-held rod and only single-hook artificial flies or lures are permitted.

11. Go on a Scavenger Hunt

Make the day more fun with a Cades Cove Scavenger Hunt! Here are some recommendations to get you started: 

Animals:

  • White tail deer
  • Black bear
  • Wild turkey

Homestead Remnants

  • Split-rail fence
  • Graveyard
  • Mill Wheel

Nature:

  • Purple wildflowers
  • Mushrooms or fungi on a log
  • Claw marks on a tree trunk 

Seen from the Car:

  • Cyclists
  • Someone taking a picture with a zoom lens
  • Horseback rider

12. Practice Your Photography Skills

bear cub on a tree

Cades Cove is one of the most photographed areas in the park, so be sure to pull over and take time to capture some incredible photos. If you visit later in the day, you may be able to make it halfway before you start to lose the light. So, if you want to capture things on the back half of the route, plan accordingly. Traffic can add a lot of time to your visit.

An alternative that guarantees easy exploration is to visit on car-free Wednesdays! Each year, on Wednesdays from June to September, the loop closes to traffic and only allows hikers and bikers, guaranteeing an uncongested visit. 

Note: if you're photographing wildlife, always keep your distance. A good way to tell you're far enough away is to hold your thumb at arm's length toward the animal. The animal should be the same size/scale as your thumb. 

13. Explore the Remnants of a Moonshiner’s Hideaway

We’d be remiss not to mention some moonshine history in our guide to Cades Cove. You’re in Appalachia, after all. While the stills are long gone, you can visit Chestnut Flats and see the Henry Whitehead cabin.

The surrounding grounds were also once home to the moonshining operations of the Powell and Burchfield families. After your day in the cove, be sure to visit some of the modern-day makers in downtown Gatlinburg who are still using old family recipes that were born in these mountains and streams.

14. Go for a Bike Ride

As we just mentioned, Wednesdays through September are car-free, making it the perfect day for a scenic bike ride. If you didn’t come with your own bike, you’re in luck. You can rent one at Cades Cove!

Bike Rental Details:

  • Where: Cades Cove Trading Company
  • Hours: Rentals start at 9 AM (7 AM on car-free Wednesday) and the last bikes go out at 3 PM
  • Supply: First-come, first-served, so arrive early to ensure you get a bike. You can also make reservations by phone for car-free days. Guests with reservations must arrive at 7 AM.
  • Types of Bikes: Easy riding adult bikes from single speed to seven speed, and children’s bikes are available.  
  • Prices: 15 years and under: $10/hour; 16 years and up: $15/ hour; 24-hour rental: $40.
  • Group Rates: Four to six people get 5% off. Seven or more people get 10% off.

15. Take a Dip

Bring a change of clothes so you can splash in the water as you explore the cove. Don’t forget river shoes, as the rocks are slippery. Stick to shallow water and never get in fast-moving currents. Note: Swimming at places like Abrams Falls is highly discouraged and can be dangerous due to currents and hazardous conditions. 

How to Get the Lowest Rate on Your Smoky Mountain Rental

Featured Property: Rustic Ridge Retreat

 

Ready to explore Cades Cove? Start your day just a short drive from the loop when you book direct with Venture Smoky Mountains. With a wide selection of cabins in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and Wears Valley, you’ll find the perfect home base for your mountain adventure—without paying third-party booking fees. Whether you want a secluded cabin with a hot tub or a spacious home for the whole family, Venture Smoky Mountains gives you more value, more comfort, and more local insight. 

Show Me All Smoky Mountain Vacation Rentals

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Cades Cove

How long does it take to get through Cades Cove?

Getting through Cades Cove can take anywhere from one hour to several, depending on traffic. Opt for weekdays and early morning to avoid the worst traffic. Seasonally, Saturdays in the fall will be the worst due to people visiting to see the fall foliage. Use the bathroom before you begin the ride and pack drinks and snacks.

Where is Cades Cove?

Cades Cove is located inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. To reach it, head to the park entrance from the Gatlinburg Parkway. After the Sugarlands Visitor Center, turn right onto Little River Road for about 25 miles until it dead-ends into Cades Cove.

Is Cades Cove easy to get to from Gatlinburg?

Getting to Cades Cove from Gatlinburg is very easy. Just follow US 441 S/Parkway for a few miles, then turn right onto Fighting Creek Gap Road/Little River Gorge Road. Stay on that for 17 miles. At Townsend Wye, the road curves to the left and turns into Laurel Creek Road. Follow for another seven miles until you reach the Cades Cove entrance. 

How far is Cades Cove from Gatlinburg?

Cades Cove is about an hour and 20 minutes from Gatlinburg, TN. It’s the most visited site in the national park and is known for excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, hiking trails, and scenic sightseeing.

Can you hike Cades Cove?

You can! Hiking in Cades Cove is extremely popular thanks to the variety of trails. Choose from relatively easy treks like the Abrams Falls Trail to more challenging routes like the Rich Mountain Loop – an 8.5-mile hike with waterfalls, historic sites, and a 2,000-foot elevation gain.

Is there a visitors' center at Cades Cove?

Yes. The Cades Cove Visitor Center is located at the mid-way point of the loop. It offers a gift shop, restrooms, picnic areas, and historic sites nearby for you to explore.

Is there cell service at Cades Cove?

As the area is located within the national park, there are no phone lines or underground cables. So, there is no cell service the entire way through the park, including in Cades Cove. 

Does it cost anything to visit Cades Cove?

No, entrance to Cades Cove is free. However, you can make donations if you’d like.

Categories: 
Outdoor Activities