Local Favorite Destination: Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains

Where’s the best places to visit to see the beautiful mountains? For many locals and visitors, Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the best afternoon spot in the area! Here’s a little bit more information about Cades Cove for when you plan to visit:

What is there to do at Cades Cove?

Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most popular historical areas to visit. The 11 mile loop road auto tour showcases a number of old buildings and structures, like cabins, churches, schoolhouses, grist mills and barns. You can pull off of the loop road and take a look at all of the buildings. There are some great photo opportunities at Cades Cove, too.

Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is not only known for its history, though. It’s also known for having all sorts of natural wildlife. Depending on the time of year of your visit, you will likely see a black bear or two wandering around! There are other wildlife animals that can be seen in the national park, too, like raccoons, squirrels, coyotes, foxes, birds, salamanders and more! When you are in the national park, you’ll definitely see a few animals.

Why should I visit Cades Cove?

If you plan to go hiking in the Smoky Mountains when you are on vacation, there are trails from Cades Cove, so you can enjoy the Cades Cove area before you head out into the mountains for the afternoon!

Take a look at our blog for the Top 4 Family Hiking Trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

What is the history of Cades Cove?

Cades Cove  is such a treasured part of the national park. Before the land became a national park, Cades Cove was home to families who created communities and raised livestock. At one point, hundreds of people lived in the Cove. When you visit, families of 6-12 individuals would sleep and live in one of the small cabins! Life was much simpler for these families, until the establishment of the national park.

When the national park was established, these families and communities were forced away from their land. Some were given extended time in the national park due to health or age complications. For those who were able to stay behind, there were more problems that they would endure. The national park land was not able to be used the way these families had used it. They couldn’t farm, build anything or raise animals any longer. So, while they were able to live within the national park boundaries, their lives were made much too difficult.

Many of the families who left the Cove would eventually make their way to what is now Gatlinburg. At the time, this area was just becoming a tourist destination, so there were jobs available and land to settle on.

To learn more about Cades Cove, you can visit the National Park Service website.

Cabins Near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

When you stay with Stony Brook Cabins, you will experience an amazing vacation. We have a great selection of cabins in Gatlinburg, away from all of the hustle and bustle of the Parkway. Our cabins in Gatlinburg are only a short distance from the national park and Cades Cove.

We recently featured 4 amazing cabins in Gatlinburg near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. These cabins have the best amenities and are close to the beautiful Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains. Make sure to check them out and give us a call to plan your stay!