It’s no secret that I love a good scenic drive, especially if that scenic drive takes me through a national park. In almost every national park I visit, I try to incorporate one. There’s been Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park (on top of all of the other amazing scenic drives in Colorado), the scenic route through Saguaro National Park, parts of Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park, and so many more.
So, when I found out that we had to drive the Cades Cove Scenic Drive at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I was excited. I was sure that I would get some great views. What I found, though, was something different.
In this post, I’ll cover everything you need to know before setting out on the Cades Cove Scenic Drive.
About Cades Cove
The Cades Cove Scenic Drive is a eleven mile, one way loop through the western area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Through this loop, you’ll pass fields and meadows, a handful of cabins, a bit of forest, and some hills. If you’re lucky, you may spot some animals out in the distance.
This route is popular, so proper planning is an absolute must.
A Popular Route
I cannot stress enough how popular this route is. The Cades Cove Scenic Drive opens at sunrise and even by then, there is a line up of cars. We planned to get there right at sunrise (and we did), but I was shocked at how many people were out on the road this early. And it’s not that I’m not used to early mornings.
At Rocky Mountain National Park, my timed entry reservations for Bear Lake Road were for 6:00 am. I’ve visited Saguaro National Park as soon as it opened and spent the night inside Death Valley National Park and watched the sunrise. The traffic at Cades Cove was something else.
In 2023, nearly 13 million people visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Of those, nearly five million visited Cades Cove. That works out to over 13,000 people per day! And keep in mind that that 11 mile road isn’t open 24/7.
Tips for Cades Cove Scenic Drive
Get Here Early
At the advice of a ranger, we arrived at Cades Cove just after sunrise. The line of cars was crazy! But here’s the thing, that line of cars doesn’t really improve throughout the day. There are times where you might have a two hour wait just so you can start the official drive of Cades Cove.
While the entrance to Cades Cove doesn’t open until sunrise, you will likely experience fewer crowds earlier in the day. So set your alarm and get an early start if you plant to do anything off this loop.
Pack Your Patience
As mentioned above, there is a lot of traffic at Cades Cove. In fact, because of the traffic, the National Park Service recommends giving yourself at least 2 to 4 hours to do the entire loop. That’s a long time for an eleven mile loop.
It was here, more than anywhere else in a national park, that I needed patience. It’s a one way loop and you cannot pass. If the car in front of you stops to look at something (like a deer in the field), you have to stop too. In my opinion, this is what really adds time to your journey.
If you’re here to enjoy the scenery and the animals, maybe this won’t bother you that much. But for those of us who were trying to get to a trailhead (that was off a spur of Cades Cove), this was painful as we inched our way down the road.
Be Courteous
Cades Cove Scenic Drive is a narrow, one lane road. While it’s not difficult to drive, it gets congested. Keep this in mind as you drive the loop. There are plenty of cars behind you. If you stop to take a photo or watch for deer, you are holding up literally everyone behind you. And this includes the line of cars waiting to even start the loop.
You’ll find a handful of pullouts throughout the loop, so if you want to stop for photos, try to wait until you find a safe place to pull over so other people can pass you.
Highlights of Cades Cove
The Cades Cove Scenic Drive loops you around a valley with the chance to see some wildlife. Additionally, you’ll find pull offs for some old cabins and some hiking trails. We hiked Abrams Falls, a five mile out and back trail, and loved it. In our opinion, that trail was better than the scenic drive.
Should You Drive Cades Cove?
In the end, the decision on whether or not to do the Cades Cove Scenic Drive varies by person. If you want to see some historic cabins and have a chance to see some wildlife, join the line to drive Cades Cove (because there will be a line). Or, if you want to do a hike in the Cades Cove area (such as Abrams Falls), drive Cades Cove.
If you’re looking for a scenic drive with dramatic views and beautiful photo opportunities, I’d recommend skipping the Cades Cove Scenic Drive.
A Better Scenic Drive
If you’re looking for a scenic drive, but the threat of crowds is making you skeptical, know that you have other options. Another drive is the road to Newfound Gap. This road crosses all the way from Tennessee into North Carolina. You’ll find a handful of pull offs for you to get out and take photos.
Although, I have to mention that the parking lot at Newfound Gap was absolutely insane. If you plan to stop here, pack some patience.
If you were to ask my opinion, I’d say there is no question that the drive to Newfound Gap is better. Aside from the parking lot at Newfound Gap, there is less traffic and the views are more spectacular.
Cades Cove With Fewer Crowds
If you want to experience the Cades Cove area but want to avoid the chaos of the crowds, consider visiting on a Wednesday between May and September. On these days, Cades Cove is closed to vehicular traffic. Bikers and runners can enjoy the views in this area without the threat of vehicle traffic. Learn more at the NPS website.
Final Thoughts
I’ll admit that I’m skeptical of Cades Cove being listed on any list of top scenic drives in National Parks. I just didn’t find it that spectacular, although fields with deer aren’t that special to me since you can find them all over my home state of Wisconsin. In addition, the crazy amount of cars passing through this one section of park is insane and frustrating.
But, for the right traveler, this scenic drive can be worth it. You do travel through a valley, so there are some mountains in the distance and you do have the opportunity for wildlife sightings. If this is what makes you happy, by all means, add the Cades Cove Scenic Drive to your itinerary.
Continue Your Adventure
Great Smoky Mountains: Learn about the best things to do at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visit one of the beautiful waterfalls or take a longer hike with fewer people on the Porters Creek Trail. Get your trip started with a two day itinerary.
More in Appalachia: For more hiking in the Appalachia region of the United States, consider visiting Shenandoah National Park in Virginia or New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia. For a break from hiking, head to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.