Tennessee / Blount County / Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Cades Cove Campground

Open — Open year-round with reservations required. During off-season from December through mid-April, only select sites in Loop C are available. All loops operate from mid-April through Thanksgiving weekend. Camp store and bike rentals available May through October.

About

Cades Cove Campground sits in one of the most popular destinations in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a broad valley surrounded by mountains that attracts over 2 million visitors annually. The campground operates year-round at an elevation of 1,807 feet, offering 161 sites across three loops. During peak season from mid-April through Thanksgiving weekend, all loops are open. In the off-season from December through mid-April, only select sites in Loop C are available by reservation. The campground balances primitive camping with essential amenities including flush toilets and potable water year-round, though no hookups or showers are provided. A seasonal camp store operates from May through October, offering basic necessities and bike rentals. The climate features mild winters and hot, humid summers, with mountain weather that can change rapidly. Cades Cove offers exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities, with frequent sightings of white-tailed deer and possible encounters with black bears, coyotes, turkeys, and other animals. The 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road provides access to over 90 historic log structures including houses, churches, and grist mills from the area's early European settlement beginning around 1818. Popular activities include the 5-mile roundtrip hike to Abrams Falls, backcountry fishing for trout, and horseback riding from the nearby stable operating March through October. From early May through late September, Wednesdays are vehicle-free days on the loop road, creating excellent conditions for bicycling.

Directions

From Maryville, TN: Take US-321 North from Maryville to Townsend, TN (about 22 miles). At the traffic light in Townsend, continue straight on TN-73 and follow signs to Cades Cove. From Pigeon Forge, TN: Take US-321 South to Townsend, TN. Turn left (south) at Townsend onto TN-73 and follow signs to Cades Cove.

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