A Trip Back in Time
To finish out the weekend we chose to remain closer to home and spend the day in Cades Cove. This gave us to opportunity to still hike some, take in the nature and walk through the historic structures that remain in the cove.
Cades Cove is located inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park just outside Townsend, Tennessee. As early as the 1820s the cove was home to residents and grew into a full community over the years with the last residents leaving in the 1940s. Many of the homes, churches and buildings still stand today and offer a glimpse into what life was like in decades past. An 11-mile loop allows you to circle the cove by car but be prepared to several hours based on the time of year you visit.
During this time of year deer and turkey are often seen in the fields and with any luck you’ll catch a glimpse of a big buck. During warmer months it’s quite common to see black bear roaming all over the cove. The main thing to remember is all these animals are WILD and by law you must stay at a distance. There’s nothing more dangerous than a momma bear who thinks you’re going to harm her cubs!
Take your time on this visit and plan to spend the day. Several of the cabins are a 1/4 – 1/2 mile hike each way but are well worth the time. Remember to use pull-offs to keep traffic moving and watch out for the infamous “bear jam.”
Leave a comment if you’ve been in the cove and let us know what your favorite parts are. Also be sure to subscribe to the blog and follow us on social media for more adventures!