1. Purpose of Vehicle Free Days in Cades Cove
The purpose of the vehicle free days in Cades Cove is to provide a unique opportunity for visitors to enjoy the beauty of the Cades Cove without the hassles of motor vehicle traffic! Also, since there are no cars along the road, you are more likely to encounter some of the local wildlife such as black bears, white-tailed deer, coyotes and turkeys! You are welcome to walk along the road or you can ride a bicycle, which is also a rare treat since bikes are not permitted on most trails within the national park!
2. Dates, Times and Parking Information
The vehicle free days on the Cades Cove Loop take place every Wednesday during the summer months, and the road is traffic free all day long. This means that you will have over 12 hours of daylight to explore the area by foot or bike! Parking is available in the lot at the start of the loop. This pilot program was started by Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials in 2020, and the vehicle free days were originally only offered on Wednesday and Saturday mornings until 10 AM. Vehicles are still allowed on the loop the remaining 6 days of the week and 7 days a week from early September through April.3. What to Expect During Your Visit
The Cades Cove Loop is a paved 11 mile loop road, so allow plenty of time to explore the loop if you are planning to walk! You will find a wide variety of historical buildings scattered along the road, including several churches, a working grist mill, barns, log houses and many other restored 18th and 19th century structures. In fact, Cades Cove offers the widest variety of historic buildings of any area in the national park! There are also numerous trails that originate along the loop road, such as the 5 mile round trip trail to Abrams Falls and the short Cades Cove Nature Trail.