Planning out your Great Smoky Mountain adventure? The number of incredible spots to visit in the Smokies is virtually limitless, but perhaps one of best and most sought-after spots is Cades Cove. Located closer to the west end of the park, Cades Cove is a sprawling valley that emanates life everywhere you look. An 11-mile one-way loop road surrounds the cove. There are plenty of great hikes around the cove in the summertime as well, so be sure to give your self at least 2-4 hours during your trip! Luckily, it's not far at all from us here at the Ramada in Pigeon Forge!
Once you enter the cove, you'll quickly find that you are in a land untouched by man, but the openness of the area keeps it easy for you to know where you are. You can however, still purchase a tour-guide booklet at the entrance road so you can plan out your day accordingly. You're sure to come across tons of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, coyotes, ground hogs, and in rare instances, even black bears.
The valley's history is rich – for hundreds of years, Cherokee Indians hunted here in the valley, though it is not believe that they settled the area. Aside from just wildlife, you'll also come across historic houses and buildings from the first European settlers in the area, who arrived somewhere between 1818 and 1821.
If you're in the mood to exercise, this is also a great loop for bikes, and during the summer, the loop is actually closed to cars until 10:00 a.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays so cyclists may ride freely. Head over to their website for more information, or feel free to ask our friendly front desk staff at the Ramada!