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Questions about Cades Cove
Posted on 6/5/23 at 2:12 pm
Posted on 6/5/23 at 2:12 pm
How much time should we plan for it? And would it be ok to go after lunch on a Saturday on June? I have read the crowds can be pretty bad.
Also how does it work, you just drive around the loop? Or are there designated parking places all along the loop for people who want to stop and explore?
Last thing, if we wanted to hike to Abrahams Falls, is that something kids can do? Say 10-12 year old range?
Also how does it work, you just drive around the loop? Or are there designated parking places all along the loop for people who want to stop and explore?
Last thing, if we wanted to hike to Abrahams Falls, is that something kids can do? Say 10-12 year old range?
8
Posted on 6/5/23 at 2:34 pm to GravelLotinCanada
Abrahams Falls and Laurel Falls are both pretty easy. Kids should be able to handle it.
Traffic can cause Cade’s Cove to take a long time.
Traffic can cause Cade’s Cove to take a long time.
Posted on 6/5/23 at 4:24 pm to GravelLotinCanada
quote:
How much time should we plan for it? And would it be ok to go after lunch on a Saturday on June? I have read the crowds can be pretty bad.
Also how does it work, you just drive around the loop? Or are there designated parking places all along the loop for people who want to stop and explore?
Last thing, if we wanted to hike to Abrahams Falls, is that something kids can do? Say 10-12 year old range?
Yes, crowds are really bad in the summer on weekends. We went last year in mid July. We lucked out in Cades Cove and went in the last afternoon (like 3 ish) on a Sunday when it had just rained and was still cloudy. We had no traffic and not too many people.
You drive around the loop. There are various cabins, little short trails to cabins or old churches that you can walk to. There's an area by the Mill where there are actual blacksmiths and other demonstrations, storytellers, etc. That one is the one with restrooms and a larger parking lot. All the rest have a very limited amount of parking.
Remember that the Abrams Falls hike is about 5 miles, but because of the terrain, elevation, and photo ops (and also the amount of people on that trail at that time of day), it will take about 4 hours to hike. I would think a normal 10 - 12 year old would be ok with this hike. They vert possibly may be hot, bored, and grumpy by the end.
We did not do this hike last year. We did Grotto Falls and Alum Cave Trail. Both of those are a little shorter.
If there is any way to structure your day differently, I'd suggest starting your hike very early...like 7-7:30 am. The parking lots at the trailheads were almost full (just a couple of spots left) when we started our hikes around 7:30. When we were coming back down, there were so many people on the trails...just very congested. Don't start your hike too late either. You wouldn't want it to get dark.
Look at the all trails website for lots of info on the hike and reviews, photos, etc.
Posted on 6/6/23 at 2:25 pm to GravelLotinCanada
I can give you two reference points for driving it. Both were in the afternoon:
1) I went last June, saw a family of bears, and there wasnt much traffic
2) I went over thanksgiving, saw a couple bears, and it took 3 freaking hours to drive it bc the traffic was so bad.
Thats all I got
1) I went last June, saw a family of bears, and there wasnt much traffic
2) I went over thanksgiving, saw a couple bears, and it took 3 freaking hours to drive it bc the traffic was so bad.
Thats all I got
Posted on 6/6/23 at 4:41 pm to GravelLotinCanada
I just visited over Memorial Day Weekend and have a few notes. Beautiful park, but the crowds are insane which we were admittedly unprepared for. Arrive and start the main attractions earlier than you think - ideally before 7-7:30. Early bird definitely gets the worm here. For hikes, use your discretion on what you are physically capable to do and bring WATER/FOOD. More than you think. Throw a small pack on your kids and have them be self sufficient.
- As an alternative hike I enjoyed.... we drove by the Alum Cave Trail lot around 8am and the nearest parking was about a half mile road side lot away. We passed on that and hiked the Charles Bunion Trail (about 8-9 miles), starting at the Newfound Gap parking lot. Hike was really nice with great views at the end, especially if you go quarter mile past the bunion to a beautiful valley opening (pic below). I'm pretty active and experienced hiker, and to me it was moderate, nothing too strenuous. Another person in our group hadn't hiked in her life and made it up, but is in pretty good shape. There were def other young kids out there. Interesting part is your hiking a piece of the AT and there were some thru hikers at a shelter resting 3 weeks into their AT journey. It was interesting talking with them sharing their journey. We also hiked Chimney Tops which was significantly more difficult because of the elevation gain.
- Cades Cove: To preface, I would say this place is really cool if you do your research, hit it at the buttcrack of dawn, and explore for a day at all the stops at your own leisure without cars. It's a one way loop road where you are purely at the mercy of people/traffic. There are roadside lots to pull off and explore areas. If you can rent bikes for a day, this would be the spot. I did not see bikes for rent at the entrance to the cove - do some research on this piece. Cades Cove also seems much more fulfilling and rewarding for your kids than a day at Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg. There's seemingly a lot of cool shite and history to see. So you don't make the same mistake we did, I'll lay out our experience due to traffic and our own faults/lack of planning.
We tried to hit this up lunchtime-ish as a last second stop before our way home. Traffic can be a disaster on the loop and it started 1-2 miles outside Cades Cove entrance. We toughed the traffic out thinking it'd open up. It didn't. Once we were in the cove, we were either going <5 mph or stopped. We cut back to the entrance at the first turnout, all in all traveled maybe 3 miles, and it took 2 hours in total, just in our car. If we had stayed all 11 miles, I'd guess 3-5 hours min just in the car.
The highlight was after all that hell, an obnoxiously slow driver in front of us who was holding up traffic, stopping for an extended period of time to take pictures from his drivers window in the middle of said one lane road, literally next to a empty pull out parking lot. I could not make that up. I felt this area could be better organized with shuttles or something, so you are not just sitting idle at the mercy of traffic, hours on end. It's hard to get on the NPS for the exceptional work they do and patience beyond measure.
- As an alternative hike I enjoyed.... we drove by the Alum Cave Trail lot around 8am and the nearest parking was about a half mile road side lot away. We passed on that and hiked the Charles Bunion Trail (about 8-9 miles), starting at the Newfound Gap parking lot. Hike was really nice with great views at the end, especially if you go quarter mile past the bunion to a beautiful valley opening (pic below). I'm pretty active and experienced hiker, and to me it was moderate, nothing too strenuous. Another person in our group hadn't hiked in her life and made it up, but is in pretty good shape. There were def other young kids out there. Interesting part is your hiking a piece of the AT and there were some thru hikers at a shelter resting 3 weeks into their AT journey. It was interesting talking with them sharing their journey. We also hiked Chimney Tops which was significantly more difficult because of the elevation gain.
- Cades Cove: To preface, I would say this place is really cool if you do your research, hit it at the buttcrack of dawn, and explore for a day at all the stops at your own leisure without cars. It's a one way loop road where you are purely at the mercy of people/traffic. There are roadside lots to pull off and explore areas. If you can rent bikes for a day, this would be the spot. I did not see bikes for rent at the entrance to the cove - do some research on this piece. Cades Cove also seems much more fulfilling and rewarding for your kids than a day at Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg. There's seemingly a lot of cool shite and history to see. So you don't make the same mistake we did, I'll lay out our experience due to traffic and our own faults/lack of planning.
We tried to hit this up lunchtime-ish as a last second stop before our way home. Traffic can be a disaster on the loop and it started 1-2 miles outside Cades Cove entrance. We toughed the traffic out thinking it'd open up. It didn't. Once we were in the cove, we were either going <5 mph or stopped. We cut back to the entrance at the first turnout, all in all traveled maybe 3 miles, and it took 2 hours in total, just in our car. If we had stayed all 11 miles, I'd guess 3-5 hours min just in the car.
The highlight was after all that hell, an obnoxiously slow driver in front of us who was holding up traffic, stopping for an extended period of time to take pictures from his drivers window in the middle of said one lane road, literally next to a empty pull out parking lot. I could not make that up. I felt this area could be better organized with shuttles or something, so you are not just sitting idle at the mercy of traffic, hours on end. It's hard to get on the NPS for the exceptional work they do and patience beyond measure.
Posted on 6/9/23 at 12:58 pm to GravelLotinCanada
Most of the info people have provided is spot on. We see traffic increase around 11:00 AM but if we are working bear jams prior it causes a lot of traffic to back up. Bears have been EXTREMELY active these last few weeks and everyone on Facebook knows this and come in looking for them.
If you come on a Wednesday you can only ride a bike or walk through the 11 mile loop road. You can rent bikes at the campground store and earlier is better.
Be sure you have a parking tag before you come by purchasing at a VC or one of the kiosks. Stop at the Orientation Shelter and get a motor guide which includes a map and a free park newspaper to see a schedule of the programs offered.
There is really only one substantial hike and that is to Abrams Falls and the trailhead has lots of parking. You can also access Elijah Oliver Cabin from same trailhead by turning right. Or you can cross bridge head left to hike 2.5 miles to the Falls - so it is a 5 mile round trip hike takes most people about 3 hours. You cannot swim at the falls the currents are way too dangerous and we had a drowning in 2021. Take water and snacks you will need them. Sunset is usually around 8:30 in the summer but I would be off that trail by 8 PM to be safe. Also this area is ideal for otter spotting but you need to be there early in the morning to catch a glimpse of them.
There are several churches homesites and cemeteries to visit throughout the cove. You can see deer bears coyotes bobcats otters and several birds in the in Cades Cove. Along with numerous butterflies, amphibians and wildflowers.
Also Sparks Ln and Hyatt Lane are 2 way roads that can be taken to “short cut” your time. Or some people want to drive back around.
Rich Mountain Rd is a one way exit road that will take you to Townsend TN may use it to short cut out if traffic is bad or to head home after driving the loop a few times.
Parsons Branch Rd is another exit heading to NC but also you need to be able to traverse high water at one of the final river crossings on the road so it’s not for everyone.
We should have ranger programs staffed and running. Also the Cable Grist Mill should be running and the blacksmith demonstrations should be happening.
Popular off the map sites
Pearl Harbor Tree
Gourley’s Pond
If you come on a Wednesday you can only ride a bike or walk through the 11 mile loop road. You can rent bikes at the campground store and earlier is better.
Be sure you have a parking tag before you come by purchasing at a VC or one of the kiosks. Stop at the Orientation Shelter and get a motor guide which includes a map and a free park newspaper to see a schedule of the programs offered.
There is really only one substantial hike and that is to Abrams Falls and the trailhead has lots of parking. You can also access Elijah Oliver Cabin from same trailhead by turning right. Or you can cross bridge head left to hike 2.5 miles to the Falls - so it is a 5 mile round trip hike takes most people about 3 hours. You cannot swim at the falls the currents are way too dangerous and we had a drowning in 2021. Take water and snacks you will need them. Sunset is usually around 8:30 in the summer but I would be off that trail by 8 PM to be safe. Also this area is ideal for otter spotting but you need to be there early in the morning to catch a glimpse of them.
There are several churches homesites and cemeteries to visit throughout the cove. You can see deer bears coyotes bobcats otters and several birds in the in Cades Cove. Along with numerous butterflies, amphibians and wildflowers.
Also Sparks Ln and Hyatt Lane are 2 way roads that can be taken to “short cut” your time. Or some people want to drive back around.
Rich Mountain Rd is a one way exit road that will take you to Townsend TN may use it to short cut out if traffic is bad or to head home after driving the loop a few times.
Parsons Branch Rd is another exit heading to NC but also you need to be able to traverse high water at one of the final river crossings on the road so it’s not for everyone.
We should have ranger programs staffed and running. Also the Cable Grist Mill should be running and the blacksmith demonstrations should be happening.
Popular off the map sites
Pearl Harbor Tree
Gourley’s Pond
Posted on 6/9/23 at 1:21 pm to GravelLotinCanada
Just got back from there last week. We hit Cades Cove twice. First time was ~10AM Memorial Day and the other was ~3PM Tuesday. 10AM on Memorial Day, it wasn't too bad. However the Tuesday afternoon we went it was absolutely horrible. Traffic was so bad, we didn't move a foot in over 30 minutes (that happened a few times). People were getting out of cars trying to get to the front of the traffic to figure out what the hell was going on. It took us hours to get out of that mess.
A few people have mentioned Parsons Branch road. We took it as an unexpected exit (I was low on gas and needed to get to a gas station instead of sitting in more traffic). I enjoyed the drive. It was extremely quiet (we saw 2 cars in the 7 mile stretch). I think there were 11 water crossings, but they all have concrete bottom and were pretty shallow. The deepest crossing was probably 6". We did see about 15 bears during our 3-4 days in the park.
We never made it to Laurel Falls as parking was a nightmare. Every lot even remotely close was always full. Parking on the side of the road is restricted in many areas (many cars were getting tickets). Clingman's Dome was really nice. It's a 1 mile roundtrip hike over a paved trail. It is about a 12% grade so keep that in mind. We saw 2 bear and a couple deer near the top of the trail not too far from the lookout tower.
If they're still active when you go, try to check out the synchronous fireflies in Elkmont area. It's about a .5-1 mile roundtrip hike down Jake's Creek trail. When we were there, the fireflies came out about 9-9:30PM.
Another thing to keep in mind are the damn people trying to get Instagram worthy photos of themselves. We went to one of the falls and there were these 2 girls that took over 30 min (that I witnessed) trying to get their best photos. Meanwhile about 5 other families were trying to wait to get pictures of the falls that didn't have 2 bimbos in the background. We eventually yelled at them to ask how much longer they planned on staying. They got the hint and moved on so.
A few people have mentioned Parsons Branch road. We took it as an unexpected exit (I was low on gas and needed to get to a gas station instead of sitting in more traffic). I enjoyed the drive. It was extremely quiet (we saw 2 cars in the 7 mile stretch). I think there were 11 water crossings, but they all have concrete bottom and were pretty shallow. The deepest crossing was probably 6". We did see about 15 bears during our 3-4 days in the park.
We never made it to Laurel Falls as parking was a nightmare. Every lot even remotely close was always full. Parking on the side of the road is restricted in many areas (many cars were getting tickets). Clingman's Dome was really nice. It's a 1 mile roundtrip hike over a paved trail. It is about a 12% grade so keep that in mind. We saw 2 bear and a couple deer near the top of the trail not too far from the lookout tower.
If they're still active when you go, try to check out the synchronous fireflies in Elkmont area. It's about a .5-1 mile roundtrip hike down Jake's Creek trail. When we were there, the fireflies came out about 9-9:30PM.
Another thing to keep in mind are the damn people trying to get Instagram worthy photos of themselves. We went to one of the falls and there were these 2 girls that took over 30 min (that I witnessed) trying to get their best photos. Meanwhile about 5 other families were trying to wait to get pictures of the falls that didn't have 2 bimbos in the background. We eventually yelled at them to ask how much longer they planned on staying. They got the hint and moved on so.
Posted on 6/12/23 at 12:19 pm to GravelLotinCanada
We went end of June (around a peak time) last year and these things were super helpful:
- We went early and planned to spend a good chunk of the day there. Got there at around 6:30-7:00 so that was helpful but there was still traffic.
- We packed a cooler for lunch and plenty of drinks. Traffic was a pretty slow creep (mostly because people are stupid) but it also allowed us to slow down and take in the scenery around us.
- We decided to not stop off and hike at the Cove but instead hit some trails on the way back to Gatlinburg. This was a lot less busy and rushed for us as a result.
- We had a cub sighting right outside of leaving the Cove and we were stuck in it for about 30 minutes because people just stopped in the middle of the road and GO OUT of their cars. I'd be lying if I said I didn't wish for Momma Bear to jump out and handle business at that point. People, again, are just stupid.
You just have to plan to go early (or closer to dusk) since it does get really, really busy. It took 3-4 hours for us to drive the loop altogether with stopping to check out the sites.
I enjoyed it but could see where it could get really miserable, really quick.
We also enjoyed driving the Roaring Fork Motor Trail on the other side of Gatlinburg (it dumped out right at our resort) and that had some nice stuff to get out and look without the traffic of the Cove or the strip. We drove it around late afternoon/early evening and it was really nice. Also nice to get out of the heat of the day.
- We went early and planned to spend a good chunk of the day there. Got there at around 6:30-7:00 so that was helpful but there was still traffic.
- We packed a cooler for lunch and plenty of drinks. Traffic was a pretty slow creep (mostly because people are stupid) but it also allowed us to slow down and take in the scenery around us.
- We decided to not stop off and hike at the Cove but instead hit some trails on the way back to Gatlinburg. This was a lot less busy and rushed for us as a result.
- We had a cub sighting right outside of leaving the Cove and we were stuck in it for about 30 minutes because people just stopped in the middle of the road and GO OUT of their cars. I'd be lying if I said I didn't wish for Momma Bear to jump out and handle business at that point. People, again, are just stupid.
You just have to plan to go early (or closer to dusk) since it does get really, really busy. It took 3-4 hours for us to drive the loop altogether with stopping to check out the sites.
I enjoyed it but could see where it could get really miserable, really quick.
We also enjoyed driving the Roaring Fork Motor Trail on the other side of Gatlinburg (it dumped out right at our resort) and that had some nice stuff to get out and look without the traffic of the Cove or the strip. We drove it around late afternoon/early evening and it was really nice. Also nice to get out of the heat of the day.
Posted on 6/12/23 at 10:39 pm to GravelLotinCanada
We did the hayride through Cades Cove because it was a large group of us and we didn’t want to have to worry about driving and trying to spot things so we were able to just enjoy the ride. It was so nice and our whole group was able to be together. Not many people know about it when we mention it.
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