Cades Cove is a well-known 500 million year old valley in the Townsend area of East Tennessee. Most folks who visit Townsend, Wears Valley or Pigeon Forge will see it advertised on brochures, rack cards & websites. It captures the imagination of thousands of visitors each year with it’s picturesque beauty, diverse foliage, historical dwellings & live wildlife viewing in open fields. Nearly everyone who visits the Cove will get to see deer grazing in the fields after the heat of the day wears off, an amazing display of wildflowers in the spring and summer months as well as historical log cabins dating as far back as the turn of the century.
Most visitors drive through the Cove’s 11 mile paved loop in their cars, but a few adventurous folks get to have an entirely different experience, one that we recommend you try, provided you are in good health and feeling up to the challenge. For the physically fit and athletic types visiting the Smokies you can choose to pull over, park and head up one of the many foot trails that begin on the loop.
From Abram’s Falls a 20’ waterfall and glistening pool, to virgin Tulip forests at Gregory’s Bald, there are more than a dozen options for a side trip off the main loop. Plan to take your time and experience the landscape and it’s many natural & man-made features by bringing a little picnic in a backpack and some fresh water, because you’re in for a real treat!
To plan the specifics of your hikes online, we recommend referring to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Services Official Website to obtain official trail maps & hiking guides direct from the source. www.NPS.gov If you are already here staying with us, stop by our offices for some literature to get you started on your way.
Please note that while your visiting any protected areas of our National Park it is against the law to disturb or remove anything such as natural souvenirs, like rocks, wood, flowers/petals & or even small animals. Wildlife protection laws are in place to protect the creatures that call our Park home as well as the visitors on site. Do not feed the animals or approach them, and please do not leave any trash or debris behind after your visit. We hope that everyone can be respectful of our National treasure so that many generations to come will also be able to enjoy this gift we have been tasked with preserving.