Recreation : Day Trips : 2) Great Smoky Mountains/Cades Cove

Great Smoky Mountains/Cades Cove Day Trip

A look at how early pioneers and settlers lived, an 8 hour excursion

Years ago when the National Park service took over the land now known as The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there were isolated pockets where people maintained subsistence lives. One of the best areas to see what life was like then is Cades Cove. Situated in a valley surrounded by the Smoky Mountains, Cades Cove is a wonderful place to visit in any season. From the well-maintained and preserved building to the abundance of wildlife, there is something to see at every turn. You can view the cove by driving the 11-mile loop in your car or you can rent a bicycle and peddle around the cove. Either way, you can make the trip at your own pace, stopping along the way at the several farmsteads, the gristmill, and many hiking and walking paths.

Points of interest:

  • Restored churches
  • Restored cabins, churches, barns
  • Gristmill
  • Wildlife.( Deer, bear, turkey, wolves)
  • Majestic Mountain
  • Mountain streams

In preparation:

  • By all means, let us prepare a Tennessee Bed and Breakfast picnic for you. Inform us the night before and we will have it ready for you at breakfast. There is a great picnic area in the cove. In addition, there are wonderful fields and meadows to spread your blanket on a warm day.
  • Dress according to the weather. The temperature will be similar to that at Whitestone.
  • Take water and/or drinks.
  • Take your camera.
  • Take comfortable shoes for short walks.
  • In warm weather, take swimsuits or shorts for playing in the creek
  • Start your day with a Whitestone Bed and Breakfast Tennessee breakfast. Tell your server and they will have your picnic basket ready when you finish eating.
  • Depart Whitestone Tennessee Bed and Breakfast by turning left onto Paint Rock Road. Follow Paint Rock Road to Hwy. 72 and turn left.
  • Stay on Hwy. 72 East 9 miles to I-75. Take I-75 North.
  • Follow I-75 north to the Lenoir City Exit, Hwy. 321. Turn right on Hwy. 321. This will take you east across Fort Loudon Dam and to the city of Maryville.
  • Follow Hwy. 321on through Maryville toward Townsend. Townsend is a small community just outside the Smoky Mountains Park. When you pass through Townsend you will shortly enter the park.
  • Just inside the park is an area called the "Y". This is where two streams merge and form Little River. It's a favorite mountain swimming hole. Back down the road in Townsend you can rent tubes for a cool drift down the stream. Great fun -Maybe later!
  • When you cross the stone bridge, the road forks. Take the right fork. This road leads you directly to Cades Cove. Everything is well marked.
  • Take your time. Enjoy the day and try to imagine what life was like 100 years ago in this part of the United States. Pick up one of the brochures before you start around the cove. It will guide you as you travel through a time past.
  • Return to the Whitestone Bed and Breakfast Tennessee by the way you came. We want to hear about your day when you get back.

Tennessee Daytrips:

1) Big South Fork/Rugby : 2) Great Smoky Mountains/Cades Cove : 3) Cherohala Skyway/Joyce Kilmer/Fontana Dam
4) Cherohala Skyway : 5) Cherohala Skyway/Nantahala Rafting

Also View:

Recreation Overview : Onsite : Offsite : Day Trips