Here are pictures taken of Cades Cove, Tennessee, located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This cove encompasses 6,800 acres and is located about 5 miles from the town of Townsend. This is a "must see" for vacationers who love the outdoors and gives them a glimpse of life in the 19th century when the peak population of the Cove reached 685 in 1850. Wildlife viewing is abundant as visitors may see whitetail deer, turkey, and black bear. John Oliver (1793-1864) and his wife, Lurena Frazier Oliver (1795-1888) were the first permanent white settlers of Cades Cove settling there in 1817 or 1818. They were buried in the Primitive Baptist Church cemetery. About two million visitors come to Cades Cove every year making it the most visited area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Every day during the summer months, and October the Cove is crowded, so plan on about 3 hours to drive the loop during this peak season. You can easily spend a whole day here if you make every stop and walk around. Some points of interest are up to a mile off of the loop road, so wear some comfortable walking shoes. There is no food on the loop road, so pack a picnic lunch or snacks if you intend to make a day of it. If you prefer, you can bike the loop as well. These pictures were taken as our family drove through the Cove in late May of 2004. The pictures below are in sequence starting at the entrance to Cades Cove and follow the 11 mile loop road which circles the valley. |
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