Visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Don’t miss Cades Cove, the most popular destination in The Smokies. This beautiful Appalachian valley boasts 360 degree views of the Smoky Mountains and is home to dozens of preserved historic structures from the Cove’s history.
Cades Cove is open year-round. The Cades Cove Loop Road hours are daily from sunrise till sunset.
I got to visit Great Smoky Mountains several times while living in the South. Between the endless waterfalls, hiking trails, wildlife, and history, there is so much to explore in Cades Cove.
This guide covers everything you need to know about Cades Cove hours of operation, vehicle free Wednesdays, visitor center hours, and other important information for planning your trip to Cades Cove.
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Cades Cove Hours: When is Cades Cove Open?
Is Cades Cove open year round? Unlike other areas of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cades Cove is open year-round. The Cades Cove Loop hours are daily from sunrise till sunset.
During winter, the Cades Cove Loop Road may temporarily close during severe weather.
While Cades Cove may be open year-round, there are a couple of important things to know about Cades Cove hours of operation if you plan on driving the Cades Cove Loop Road, visiting the historic structures, Visitor Center, bike rentals and more.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open 24-hours, 365 days a year.
Vehicle – Free Wednesdays on Cades Cove Loop Road
There is no vehicle access to Cades Cove Loop Road on Wednesdays, May – September.
The Park closes Cades Cove Loop Road to vehicle access every Wednesday during these months to allow pedestrians and bicycles to experience a car-free Cades Cove Loop!
If you want to experience the beauty of Cades Cove without the traffic, consider visiting on a summer Wednesday
Cades Cove Visitor Center Hours
The Cades Cove Visitor Center is open every day, except for Christmas, December 25.
The Cades Cove Visitor Center hours vary from month-to-month. The cart below shows the operating hours of the Cades Cove Visitor Center throughout the year.
| Month | Cades Cove Visitor Center Hours |
|---|---|
| January | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| February | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| March | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| April | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| May | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| June | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| July | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| August | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| September | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| October | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| November | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| December | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Closed December 25 |
The Cades Cove Visitor Center is located approximately half way along the Cades Cove Loop Road.
The National Park Service changes these hours periodically due to weather, staffing, construction and other factors.
Cades Cove Cable Mill Hours
The Cable Mill is a historic water-powered gristmill that continues to operate to this day! The Mill is located next to the Cades Cove Visitor Center.
The Cades Cove Grist Mill operates daily, mid-March through October 31. The Mill is open Friday – Sunday in November.
The Cades Cove Mill hours are: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Cades Cove Campground Hours
The Cades Cove Campground and Smokemont Campgrounds are open year-round. All other campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park operate seasonally.
The Cades Cove Trading Company Campground Store & Deli is usually open March – October. In 2023, the Cades Cove campground Store hours are 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Check here for updated hours and seasonal opening dates.
Cades Cove Picnic Area Hours
The Cades Cove picnic area is open year-round.
The Cades Cove picnic area opens daily at sunrise and closes at sunset. From late-April to early-September, the picnic area closes at 8 p.m.
Cades Cove Bike Rental Hours
Bike Rentals are available seasonally in Cades Cove through the Cades Cove Trading Company, located at the Cades Cove Campground. Bike Rentals are available March to November.
Bike rental hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., daily. Wednesday rentals begin at 7:00 a.m. during vehicle-free days.
Cades Cove Stables Hours
The Cades Cove Riding Stables are located next to the Cades Cove Campground. The Riding Stables offer guided horseback rides through Cades Cove, carriage rides, and guided hayrides.
Guided horseback rides and carriage rides are offered March – November from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Guided hayrides are offered at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. from March – November. From June 1 to August 15, hayride hours are: 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 6 p.m.
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More Important Things to Know About Visiting Cades Cove
Parking Permits and Entrance Fees to Cades Cove
There are no entrance fees or reservations required to enter Cades Cove or Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Beginning March 1, 2023 Great Smoky Mountains National Park will require all visitors to purchase and display a “Parking Tag” while parking inside the National Park. This includes parking along the Cades Cove Loop Road.
All visitors who park for more than 15 minutes in Cades Cove, including at trailheads, historic cabins, Cades Cove Visitor Center, ect. must purchase and display a paid Parking Tag. One Parking Tag is required per vehicle.
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Parking Tag fees are $5 per day, $15 per week, and $40 annually.
Parking Tag sales are not limited or capped, meaning you do not need advanced reservations to enter the Park. Parking tags do NOT guarantee a parking spot, so be sure to arrive early to trailheads and popular spots!
More Tips for Visiting Cades Cove
There are no gas stations inside Cades Cove or the National Park. Fill your gas tank before you head out to Cades Cove.Gas stations are plentiful near every entrance to the Park.
There is no cell service in Cades Cove. There is NO cell service inside Cades Cove. If you have questions or require assistance, visit the Rangers at the Cades Cove Visitor Center.
Use pullouts and parking lots while viewing scenery and wildlife. Avoid causing a traffic jam by using the many pullouts and parking lots.
Be patient. As someone who has lived in both LA and NYC, I speak with some authority when I say that the traffic in Cades Cove is just terrible. Be patient and resist the urge to yell when another vehicle stops in the middle of the road to look at yet another deer.
Best Time of Day to Visit Cades Cove
What is the best time of day to visit Cades Cove?
Early morning is the best time to visit Cades Cove. Why?
In early morning, the mist and clouds often blanket the valley floor, making for a moody and beautiful scene. Plus wildlife like deer, elk and black bears are most active during this time.
Morning is also the best time to visit Cades Cove if you want to skip the horrendous crowds that come later in the day! Remember, Cades Cove is open starting at sunrise – so grab that early cup of coffee and get there before everyone else!
The Best Time of Year to Visit Cades Cove
The best time of day to visit Cades Cove is sunrise. In early morning, mist and clouds blanket the valley, and the crowds haven’t yet arrived. This is also the best time to go to Cades Cove to spot wildlife, including deer, elk, coyote and black bears.
The best seasons to visit Cades Cove are spring and fall. In spring you’ll see plenty of wildlife and blooming flowers. In fall, Cades Cove Tennessee comes alive with bright fall colors.
In Summer, the Smokies are hot, humid, and definitely full of crowds! We first visited Great Smoky Mountains on 4th of July weekend, and it honestly felt like being at Disneyland. Trailhead parking lots often fill by early morning in summer, and Cades Cove Loop Road can be bumper to bumper in the afternoon.
Don’t forget, Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to vehicles, every Wednesday from May 5 to September 1. During this time, the loop road is open to bicyclists and hikers. If you don’t mind the extra effort, consider visiting on these vehicle-free days for a unique experience!
If you’re planning to visit Cades Cove and Great Smoky Mountains National Park during this peak season, here are a few tips for avoiding the crowds:
- Arrive in Cades Cove as early as possible. Not only is the Cove at its most beautiful during sunrise, you’ll have a chance to beat some of the huge crowds that bring bumper-to-bumper traffic in the afternoons.
- Avoid weekends and holidays. Avoid the Cove during Memorial Day, Labor Day, Juneteenth, and Fourth of July weekends.
Fun Things to Do in Cades Cove
With miles of hiking trails, waterfalls, wildlife, historic cabins and even horseback riding, there are virtually endless things to do in Cades Cove.
Here are a few of my favorite fun things to do in Cades Cove:
- Explore historic cabins, homesteads, and historic churches on the Cades Cove Loop Road.
- Take a Hike! Cades Cove Loop is a great starting point for amazing hikes including the must-see Abrams Falls, Gregory Bald, and easy trails like the Pine Oaks Nature Trail.
- Stop by the Cades Cove Visitor Center and historic Cable Grist Mill
- See Cades Cove in a whole new way by renting a bike or going on a horseback ride
Where to Stay Near Cades Cove
There are tons of options for camping and lodging near Cades Cove.
Most visitors stay in nearby Gatlinburg. There are a variety of chain hotels like Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott and family-friendly mountain resorts like the Greystone Lodge on the River. Personally, we love to book a vacation home rental with a kitchen – and there are tons of cabins and mountain homes to book nearby.
The smaller town of Townsend is the closest town to Cades Cove, and bills itself as the “quieter side of the Smokies.” There are a few chain hotels, but mostly smaller boutique hotels, vacation rentals, and cabins.
If camping is your style, the Cades Cove Campground is open year-round. The Campground is located just inside the entrance to the Cove.
Cades Cove Campground has cold running water and flush toilets, and campsites have fire rings and picnic tables. Rent bikes, book horseback rides, or grab food from the grill at the Cades Cove Trading Company Campground Store & Deli.
The Store & Deli is usually open March – October. In 2023, the Cades Cove campground Store hours are 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Check here for updated hours and seasonal opening dates.
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