Where is Cades Cove (Great Smoky Mountains NP), Townsend, Tennessee?

Written by | Updated On: December 08, 2025, 13:55 ET

Cades Cove is located in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, USA.It lies between the Tennessee Valley and the surrounding Smoky Mountains, situated in the eastern part of the park, and is famous for its scenic valley, wildlife, and historic cabins.

Cades Cove (Great Smoky Mountains NP) Location Map, Townsend, Tennessee

Top Attractions Inside Cades Cove (Great Smoky Mountains NP)

  • Cades Cove Loop Road – 11-mile scenic loop offering views of wildlife, historic buildings, and lush landscapes.
  • Historic Homesteads – Preserved cabins, churches, and barns showcasing 19th-century Appalachian life.
  • Wildlife Viewing – Opportunities to see deer, black bears, turkeys, and other native animals.
  • John Oliver Cabin – Iconic log cabin representing early settler architecture.
  • Primitive Baptist Church – Historic church open for tours and photography.
  • Hiking Trails – Trails leading to waterfalls, overlooks, and forested areas within the cove.
  • Look Rock Tower – Observation tower providing panoramic views of Cades Cove and surrounding mountains.

Cades Cove (Great Smoky Mountains NP) Facts

Official NameCades Cove
LocationGreat Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, USA
Latitude & Longitude35.6024° N, 83.7644° W
Elevation1,680 feet (512 meters) above sea level
Managed ByNational Park Service (NPS)
Region / ConceptHistoric valley, cultural heritage site, scenic loop, wildlife viewing
Main Features18-mile Cades Cove Loop Road, historic cabins, churches, barns, mills, open fields, wildlife habitats
Visitor ActivitiesScenic driving, biking, hiking, photography, wildlife viewing (black bears, deer, turkeys), picnicking, historical interpretation
Trails & AccessMultiple hiking trails including Abrams Falls Trail, Anthony Creek Trail, accessible via Cades Cove Loop Road
AccessibilityPaved loop road, pull-offs and parking areas, some trails wheelchair accessible
Nearby TownsGatlinburg, Townsend, Walland, Tennessee
Entry / FeesFree (National Park entrance fee required: $35 per vehicle for 7-day access as of 2025)
Best Time to VisitSpring and Fall for wildlife and foliage; early morning for wildlife activity
Annual VisitorsApprox. 2 million (entire park)
Nearby AirportMcGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) – 35 miles (56 km), Knoxville, TN
TransportationPrivate vehicles, bicycles, hiking; parking available along loop
Time ZoneEastern Time (ET) — UTC−5 Standard / UTC−4 Daylight Saving
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD, $)
Official Websitehttps://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/cadescove.htm
Famous ForHistoric homesteads, barns, scenic loop, abundant wildlife, panoramic mountain views
UNESCO / National StatusPart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park; UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 1983)

Distances from Cades Cove (Great Smoky Mountains NP) to Nearby Landmarks

  • Newfound Gap – 27 km (17 mi)
  • Clingmans Dome – 35 km (22 mi)
  • Laurel Falls Trail – 18 km (11 mi)
  • Mingus Mill – 25 km (15.5 mi)
  • Elkmont Historic District – 22 km (13.5 mi)
  • Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail – 30 km (18.5 mi)
  • Gatlinburg, TN – 37 km (23 mi)
  • Ober Gatlinburg – 45 km (28 mi)
  • Great Smoky Mountains Visitor Center – 32 km (20 mi)
  • Fontana Lake – 80 km (50 mi)
  • Mount LeConte – 28 km (17.5 mi)
  • Charlies Bunion – 30 km (18.5 mi)
  • Deep Creek Trail – 65 km (40 mi)
  • Parsons Branch Trail – 60 km (37 mi)
  • Greenbrier – 50 km (31 mi)
  • Townsend, TN – 40 km (25 mi)
  • Oconaluftee Visitor Center – 55 km (34 mi)
  • Clingmans Dome Observation Tower – 35 km (22 mi)
  • Newfound Gap Road Overlook – 28 km (17.5 mi)
  • Fairyland Point – 33 km (20.5 mi)