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Cades Cove is the most visited part of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park--and for good
reason. The idyllic setting of Cades Cove is a sampler of everything the Park has to offer the Smoky Mountain visitor. Historic structures that dot the Cove tell the history of its early inhabitants. Wildlife is abundant. More than a dozen hiking and horseback riding trails originate in Cades Cove. The Smoky Mountains, which tower above picturesque Cades Cove, serve as guardians to the Cove's serene beauty; and the splendor of color when Mother Nature empties her paint buckets on the Cove's hardwoods in the Fall is unmatched! In addition, Cades Cove is home to trout streams to tease the fly- fishing enthusiast and campgrounds are available for those who want to live in Cades Cove--even if only temporarily.
The Cove is best seen via Cades Cove Loop Road, which is a one way paved lane that skirts the bottoms of the forested mountains which surrounds the fields of the valley floor. The Loop Road takes Smokies vacationers on a historical tour of early pioneer farms, fields, roads and trails, leaving the Smokie's visitor with the feeling that they have witnessed something wonderful and wholesome.
Cades Cove Loop is open to auto, bicycle and foot traffic every day of the year from sunup to sundown with a few exceptions. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park has designated that May through September on Wednesdays and Saturdays, the loop is reserved for hikers and bicyclist from sunup to 10am only. Auto traffic on those days is permitted in Cades Cove after 10am. Expect to spend one to two hours for the Cades Cove auto tour including a few stops along the way. Hikers and bicyclists will of course spend considerably more time in this Smoky Mountain paradise. Bicycles can be rented for a small fee at the Visitors Center at the beginning of Cades Cove.