Page Updated: February 02, 2024
Cades Cove
Cades Cove -GSMNP
The 6800-acre valley of Cades Cove is one of the most sought after destinations in GSMNP. The 11-mile one way loop is open to visitors daily from sunrise to sunset, and NPS recommends motorists allow 2 to 4 hours to tour. Restored buildings along the drive include log homes, 3 churches, and a cantilevere barn.
Our tour of Cades Cove took us roughly 2.5 hours and we didn’t get to stop and see all of the historic buildings. Some locations had no available parking, and even though there are 2 cut-throughs it took a while to make a single pass along the one-way loop. It was still a great day in the park.
At the beginning of Cades Cove Loop we stopped to get our parking pass for the day at the information shelter. No attendants were onsite but on the honor system they sell Auto Cades Cove Tour booklets for a dollar. The guide includes a map, a Cades Cove Tour, and a Mill Area Walking Tour. Well worth the dollar if you like learning the history.
The churches of the cove are some of the first sights on the loop. We stopped at Primitive Baptist Church. And spotted the wedding kiss outside the Cades Cove Missionary Baptist Church. Congratulations!
At the Mill Area we peaked into or toured every building. The most impressive of them for us was the LeQuire Cantilever Barn. The tour book tells us the overhangs on cantilever barns provided shelter for animals as well as storage space for farm equipment.
Navigating the chaotic Mill Area and its welcome center took a toll on our tolerance, so we skipped any stops on the southern portion of the loop in favor of a peaceful drive. We did make a brief pass of the Cades Cove Picnic Area and adjacent campgrounds to scout them out for future trips to the park though.
Looks promsing!
-b&b
Tuckaleechee Caverns
The Comedy Barn
