Cades Cove Highlights
Posted by Leif Palmer in Things to Do
Great Smoky Mountains National Park received a record 10 million visitors in 2015 and is on pace to meet or top that mark this year. But did you know that the Cades Cove section of the park alone saw more than 1 million visitors last year? That shouldn't be surprising; the 11-mile one-way auto loop of the historic mountain community is one of the top attractions within the national park.
If you've never toured Cades Cove, we highly recommend it, and even if you're a repeat visitor, perhaps you haven't fully explored all that this living museum has to offer. That's why this week, we're mentioning a few of the must-see points along the way. From hikes to history, Cades Cove has a lot explore.
- Historic Homesteads
As you drive along the one-way road that circles the perimeter of the scenic mountain-ensconced cove, you'll encounter a number of structures that once served as homes to early residents of the valley, before it became part of the national park. Look for places like the Carter Shields cabin, the Dan Lawson cabin, the Gregg Cable house and the John Oliver Cabin. These homesteads features authentic log cabins as well as a number of out buildings like corncribs and barns. It's a fascinating look into the way late 19th century and early 20th century mountain settlers lived.
- Historic Churches
Within one short stretch of the tour, you'll find the Cades Cove Methodist Church, Missionary Baptist Church and Primitive Baptist Church. There are interesting stories behind how these churches came to exist, and features such as separate male and female entrances are glimpses into the folkways of yesteryear.
- Abrams Falls Hike
About halfway through the tour, on the western end of the loop, you'll find signs for the trailhead to Abrams Falls. A gravel road goes about 4/10 of a mile to a parking area, and from there, a wooden footbridge leads you to the trailhead. The hike is 2.6 miles to the falls, which is a beautiful spot to stop and rest and gawk at nature.
- Cades Cove Visitor Center
Not far beyond the Abrams Falls turnoff, you'll find the official Cades Cove Visitor Center. The center offers restrooms, a bookstore and a gift shop, but the more interesting part of the center is its collection of historic structures on the grounds, including a gristmill relocated there from the Becky Cable house. This is also the location you want to meet up for most of the ranger-led programs offered within the cove.
If you booked your overnight rental through a local cabin company, you'll be able to easily access the Cades Cove area, starting in Wears Valley and entering the park through the Metcalf Bottoms picnic area. From there, you take the main road west until you hit the cove. In addition to the many historic sites within the community, there's a campground and picnic area located just outside the entrance to the loop road, and there are also horseback stables on the property.
Folks also like going to Cades Cove to picnic within the loop property itself, and the road is often used by cyclists and runners in search of exercise in the beautiful outdoor setting. In fact, the one-way road is closed to auto traffic on Wednesday and Saturday mornings from May through September.
About Leif Palmer
Leif Palmer loves residing in the Smoky Mountains. He is an avid outdoorsman: rowing for exercise on the lake, trail hiking, and free climbing rocks in the mountains. He indulges his arty side by periodically beating up pieces of marble by sculpting. He is always frustrated by his inability to sink long putts, and hates his curly hair (but his wife loves it). Leif has been known to muster enough courage to change a diaper, and hopes his son will become a chip off the old block.
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