Smoky Mountain Driving Tour:   Cades Cove Loop Road

Distance: 11 miles one way

Some two million people visit Cades Cove each year and most of them drive this one - way loop around the valley.

Needless to say, traffic jams are a major issue.

The cove's wide - open vistas are great for wildlife viewing and bear sightings are fairly common. But if a bear lumbers up to the road, traffic will come to a standstill.

But to avoid the Cades Cove traffic jams, please consider the following: On Wednesday and Saturday mornings, all cars are banned until 10:00 am. It's a prime opportunity to hike or ride your bike.

• log houses,
• a grist mill, and
• cantilevered barns.

• the John Oliver Place,
• the Primitive Baptist Church,
• the Methodist Church,
• the Missionary Baptist Church,
• the Elijah Oliver Place,
• the Dan Lawson Place,
• the Tipton Place, and
• the Carter Shields Cabin.

At the halfway point on the loop road, there's the Cades Cove Visitor's Center and Cable Mill, where you'll find restroom facilities.

As we've alread said, we recommend you get The Cades Cove Auto Tour Brochure at any visitor center.

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