Cades Cove is a large, flat valley enclosed by the surrounding Smokies ridgelines, preserved almost exactly as it appeared in the 1800s when European settlers farmed it. The 11-mile loop road passes working grist mills, log cabins, barns, and three historic churches — all maintained in good repair by the National Park Service. White-tailed deer graze the open fields throughout the day. Black bears are commonly spotted at dawn and dusk, particularly in spring and late summer when they feed heavily before winter.
The drive takes anywhere from one to four hours depending on wildlife sightings and stops; traffic can be heavy in summer and fall. Bicycles and horses are permitted on the road on Wednesday and Saturday mornings when cars are excluded, which dramatically improves the experience. The Abrams Falls trail, accessed from a parking area on the loop road, leads to a 20-foot waterfall in a hemlock forest.
From Townsend, the drive to Cades Cove entrance takes about 20 minutes east on Highway 73.