Cades Cove - Great Smoky Mountain National Park

A Window to Paradise

Cades Cove

Here are pictures taken of Cades Cove, Tennessee, located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This cove encompasses 6,800 acres and is located about 5 miles from the town of Townsend. This is a "must see" for vacationers who love the outdoors and gives them a glimpse of life in the 19th century when the peak population of the Cove reached 685 in 1850. Wildlife viewing is abundant as visitors may see whitetail deer, turkey, and black bear.

About two million visitors come to Cades Cove every year making it the most visited area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Every day during the summer months and October the Cove is crowded, so plan on about 3 hours to drive the loop during this peak season. You can easily spend a whole day here if you make every stop and walk around. Some points of interest are up to a mile off of the loop road, so wear some comfortable walking shoes. There is no food on the loop road, so pack a picnic lunch or snacks if you intend to make a day of it. If you prefer, you can bike the loop as well.

These pictures were taken as our family drove through the Cove in late May of 2004. The pictures below are in sequence starting at the entrance to Cades Cove and follow the 11 mile loop road which circles the valley. Click here for more information about Cades Cove.

	*We saw about 150 deer during our trip through the cove. Wildlife is more abundant early in the morning or very late in the afternoon.*
	*The open valley is fenced and has horses and cows that graze to help keep the fields open.*
	*Not a great picture, but turkey are also abundant. We saw about 10 or 12 on our visit.*

	*Cades Cove Primitive Baptist Church. Organized June 16, 1827*.
	*Click here to see what Primitive Baptists believe.*
	*We saw this deer at the back of the church.*
	John Oliver (1793-1864) and his wife, Lurena Frazier Oliver (1795-1888) were the first permanent white settlers of Cades Cove settling there in 1817 or 1818. They were buried in the Primitive Baptist Church cemetery.
	*Same deer as above walking away.*
	*Cades Cove Methodist Church*
	*Cades Cove Missionary Baptist Church*
	*One of the best (of many) views of the Smoky mountains from within Cades Cove. You want to stop here for pictures!*
	*Deer on the trail to cabin. The deer are not afraid of humans unless you get within 20 to 30 yards of them.*
	*The walk to this location is about 1/2 mile.*
	*The spring house was used to keep food and milk cool during the warm season.*
	*The grist mill still works. It is located at the Cades Cove visitor center, 6 miles around the loop. You can buy freshly ground corn meal here also.*
	*Cantilever Barn located at the Cades Cove visitor center, 6 miles around the loop.*
	*Located at the Cades Cove visitor center.*
	*Located at the Cades Cove visitor center.*
	*Located at the Cades Cove visitor center.*
	*Located at the Cades Cove visitor center.*
	*Located at the Cades Cove visitor center.*
	*Located at the Cades Cove visitor center.*
	*The Cades Cove visitor center.*

	*Cantilever Barn*
	*Wildlife is abundant. If you see a black bear, STAY AWAY! These animals are dangerous. Do not attempt to feed any animals in the park.*