Cades Cove Loop Road In Autumn
A ride on Cades Cove Loop Road in autumn is a to-do list must. Cades Cove is a beautiful area of the Great Smoky Mountains. Cades Cove Loop Road is a winding 11-mile road that loops around a valley nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains. During fall it is a nice ride to enjoy the colorful fall foliage scenes. It may only be 11 miles but allow 2-3 hours to slowly ride through the valley. Traffic on the one-lane one-way road can be quite crowded at times. Traffic on the weekends during October is typically very crowded specially on a beautiful sunny day. There are two turnoff roads you can take to shorten the drive. The first turn off upon entering Cades Cove is Sparks Lane. The second turnoff is Hyatt Lane. Both lanes cut across the valley and get you back onto Cades Cove Loop Rd.
Cades Cove Loop Road Fall Foliage
There is only one entrance into Cades Cove. You can get to the entrance from Pigeon Forge by taking 321 thru Wears Valley. Turn left onto E Lamar Alexander Parkway and then turn right onto Laural Creek Road. From Townsend it is 9 miles to Cades Cove. If you feel adventurous there is another back way to get to Cades Cove from Pigeon Forge. In Wears Valley there is a turn off at Line Springs Rd, the name then changes (at the border to the GSMNP) to Wear Cove Gap Rd. Then may a right onto Little River Gorge Rd. Little River Gorge Rd intersects with Laurel Creek Rd which takes you to Cades Cove.
Getting from Gatlinburg to Cades Cove Loop Rd you take 441 to Sugarlands Visitors Center. Turn onto Fighting Creek Gap Rd. which turns into Little River Gorge Rd and straight toward Cades Cove. From Gatlinburg it is 27 miles to Cades Cove.
There are two other roads that you can leave Cades Cove but they both are one way. Both could require a 4 wheel drive vehicle and both are closed November through May. Both roads can be difficult to navigate due to rough terrain and weather-related conditions.
Cades Cove Wildlife
A drive through Cades Cove will almost always result in wildlife viewing. Whether its deer, cows, horses, black bear, wild turkeys, raccoon or other common wildlife creatures its always a treat. Make sure to take a camera. You never know what you may see sitting along the road or in a nearby field. Most traffic backups occur when a black bear is spotted. People will stop along the road, get out of their vehicle and takes pictures. The loop road is very narrow with only a few designated pullovers to pass. Typical peak fall foliage for the Cades Cove area is mid to late October. Cades Coves is located in a valley but the higher mountains surrounding the cove offer some beautiful views in the fall.
Many people like to use their bikes to ride around Cades Cove and some even walk or hike their way around. Within Cades Cove there is a Cable Mill and other buildings to explore. There is also a book store and restrooms.
A drive through Cades Cove during the fall foliage season is a special treat. Hopefully, you can pick a beautiful crisp sunny day to leisurely ride through the cove and enjoy the gorgeous colorful views as well as view the wildlife along the way.
Map of Cades Cove Loop Road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
