How to Enjoy the Fall Foliage in Cades Cove, Tennessee

Located in the heart of the Great Smokey Mountain, Cades Cove is a lush valley surrounded by an 11-mile loop that winds its way past weathered churches and once-thriving homesteads, taking visitors back to a remarkable time in history. A visit to Cades Cove is especially beautiful in mid-October to early November when the sugar maple, scarlet oak, sweet gum and hickory trees turn a vibrant yellow, scarlet and orange.

Things You'll Need

• Hiking shoes or boots
• Sweater or jacket
• Camera

Instructions

1. Drive the 11-mile loop road around Cades Cove. This is the best way to see the clear mountain streams, historic churches and old homesteads, wild deer, turkey, skunk and bear, and the beautiful forests and vistas that make up Cades Cove.

2. Venture down Rich Mountain Road. Once a trail used by the Cherokee Nation, this 12-mile-long road will take you along the boundaries of Cades Cove. You can experience remarkable views of the fall foliage.

3. Hike the half-mile trail to the Elijah Oliver Place. Surrounded by beautiful woodlands, the weathered homestead is open for touring and gives visitors a glimpse into the lives of the early settlers. There is also a smokehouse and spring house to explore.

4. Stop at the Cades Cove Visitors Center. This area of the park features a blacksmith shop and a working corn mill where you sample or purchase cornmeal and flour.

5. Take your family on a hike to Abrams Falls. The 5-mile round-trip hike will take you between 2 to 3 hours to complete. The trail to the falls follows alongside the peaceful Abrams creek until the creek suddenly takes a breathtaking plunge over the edge of massive rocks.

6. Enjoy the tranquil beauty of the cove on horseback. There is a kid-friendly riding stable located at the main entrance to the park. Experiencing Cades Cove on horseback provides visitors with an excellent opportunity to enjoy the vibrant fall foliage and view the whitetail deer and black bear that call the cove home.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring along a backpack filled with bottled water and energizing snacks if you’re planning to hike through the cove.

• Stay on well-marked trails when hiking in Cades Cove.

• The weather can change rather quickly during the months of October and November, so dress accordingly.

• Do not drink the water from the creeks and streams without boiling it first.

• Do not drive your car onto the open fields.

• For your safety, never climb over locked or government-marked fences.

• Remember that it is against the law to feed the wild animals in Cades Cove.

Resources

• Cades Cove information.
• Great Smokey Mountains National Park information.
• Take a virtual tour of Cades Cove.