In the Smoky Mountain National Park is one area called Cades Cove. This is a 6,800 acre valley west of the main part of the park. It is about 15+ miles west of the Sugarland Visitor Center. Many visitors never know about or visit this part of the park. Their annual attendance is only about 23.5 million compared with 8-10 million visitors to the park. There is an 11 mile one way road that runs thru Cades Cove. Along the way are 19th century buildings including a grist mill, barns, 3 churches, log cabins and frame houses. Many of these are buildings left by the pioneers of this area when they were moved out to make way for the national park. Go early in the morning and you will see all kinds of wildlife. I recently saw deer, wild turkeys, black bear and other critters. There is a campground with a store, stables and carriage rides in the valley. There are also trails in the area which you can explore. There is a visitor center in the Cove a little over half way thru the 11 mile road. This is also where the grist mill is. So next time you visit this area also check out Cades Cove.
In the Smoky Mountain National Park is one area called Cades Cove. This is a 6,800 acre valley west of the main part of the park. It is about 15+ miles west of the Sugarland Visitor Center. Many visitors never know about or visit this part of the park. Their annual attendance is only about 23.5 million compared with 8-10 million visitors to the park. There is an 11 mile one way road that runs thru Cades Cove. Along the way are 19th century buildings including a grist mill, barns, 3 churches, log cabins and frame houses. Many of these are buildings left by the pioneers of this area when they were moved out to make way for the national park. Go early in the morning and you will see all kinds of wildlife. I recently saw deer, wild turkeys, black bear and other critters. There is a campground with a store, stables and carriage rides in the valley. There are also trails in the area which you can explore. There is a visitor center in the Cove a little over half way thru the 11 mile road. This is also where the grist mill is. So next time you visit this area also check out Cades Cove.
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