About Cades Cove

You probably visit Cades Cove, the most popular destination in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Over 2 million visitors come to this spot in the Smokies every year and with good reason! It’s beautiful and is one of the top places to find natural wildlife and manmade structures. But how much do you actually know about this area of the national park? Here are 6 fun facts you should know about Cades Cove:…

When you drive through Cades Cove, you’ve probably seen a few donation boxes. While you most likely know the boxes are there to benefit the national park, you may not know where the money goes and what it’s used for. We want to tell you what you need to know about the Cades Cove donation boxes! Here’s everything you need to know about the donation boxes in Cades Cove:…

If you’ve been to Cades Cove before, you’ve probably seen the unofficial mascot of the Smokies: the black bear. There are about 1,500 black bears in the Smoky Mountains. They prefer to live in mountainous terrain where they can be away from people. We want to share some things you may not know about this beautiful animal. Check out these 4 things to know about black bears in the Smoky Mountains:…

Cades Cove is home to a variety of gorgeous sights and activities. If you can’t fit all of the exciting things you wanted to do there into one day, you can always stay the night at the campground, and continue having fun the next day. To help you understand the benefits of selecting it for your next getaway, here are 5 reasons to stay at the Cades Cove Campground….

With so many beautiful places to explore in the Smokies, you might be having trouble deciding which one to visit first. Cades Cove has always been a favorite spot among locals and visitors alike. In fact, it’s actually one of the most popular destinations in the national park! At this point, you might be asking yourself if this attraction is actually worth the drive, especially if you’re a little farther away. The short answer to this question is ABSOLUTELY, and here are 5 reasons why!…

Cades Cove is one of the most-visited destinations in the national park, and it’s no wonder why! From picnicking to wildlife viewing and so much in between, there’s an activity for everyone to enjoy. Here are a few things to avoid doing to ensure that you have a successful trip to Cades Cove….

Cades Cove is rich in both history and beauty with numerous buildings that date back years before the national park was even founded. One of the most visited sites in Cades Cove is the John Oliver Cabin, one of the oldest man-made structures in the park. Want to learn more? Here are 5 things you didn’t know about the John Oliver Cabin….

One of the most iconic landmarks in the Smoky Mountains is getting a tune-up! This September, the John P. Cable Mill in Cades Cove will have its water wheel replaced for the first time in 18 years. Swapping out the historic gristmill’s water wheel is no easy task because a new wheel had to be built completely from scratch. Local reporter Jim Matheny recently visited Cades Cove to profile the construction of the new water wheel in a piece for WBIR News:…

No matter the time of year that you visit, Cades Cove is always beautiful and each trip is unique! But even Cades Cove has times throughout the year that it becomes very busy. Plus, you might want to know when the best time to see wildlife is so you know when to visit. Learn the best times to visit Cades Cove if you want to avoid traffic, want to see wildlife, or take some stunning photos of the area! …

Beginning this spring, visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will have the chance to adopt black bear cubs as pets. The unprecedented new policy is part of the park’s effort to cut down on the number of abandoned bear cubs in Cades Cove. The National Park Service made the official announcement in a press release this morning. We have summarized the park’s new adoption initiative below….