Cades Cove Articles

When you drive through Cades Cove, you’ve probably seen a few donation boxes. While you most likely know the boxes are there to benefit the national park, you may not know where the money goes and what it’s used for. We want to tell you what you need to know about the Cades Cove donation boxes! Here’s everything you need to know about the donation boxes in Cades Cove:

Going on a hike with your family is a great way to spend quality time together and take in the incredible views. At Cades Cove, you’ll have the opportunity to see wildlife, learn about the culture and rich history of the Smoky Mountains, and explore beautiful trails winding through the national park. Before you decide where to hike, take a look at our list of 5 family friendly hikes in Cades Cove:

If you’ve been to Cades Cove before, you’ve probably seen the unofficial mascot of the Smokies: the black bear. There are about 1,500 black bears in the Smoky Mountains. They prefer to live in mountainous terrain where they can be away from people. We want to share some things you may not know about this beautiful animal. Check out these 4 things to know about black bears in the Smoky Mountains:

Explore the Great Smoky Mountains like the settlers did on horseback! At the Cades Cove Riding Stables, you get to travel through Cades Cove on a horse. Even if you’ve never ridden a horse before, you’ll have a great time! Here’s everything you need to know about the Cades Cove Riding Stables:

There are plenty of spots to go fishing in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and one of the best places happens to be Cades Cove! So, grab your fishing gear and get ready for a day of reeling in some big catches! To help you see why this is the best place to cast a line, here are 5 of the top reasons to go fishing in Cades Cove.

Cades Cove is home to a variety of gorgeous sights and activities. If you can’t fit all of the exciting things you wanted to do there into one day, you can always stay the night at the campground, and continue having fun the next day. To help you understand the benefits of selecting it for your next getaway, here are 5 reasons to stay at the Cades Cove Campground.

With so many beautiful places to explore in the Smokies, you might be having trouble deciding which one to visit first. Cades Cove has always been a favorite spot among locals and visitors alike. In fact, it’s actually one of the most popular destinations in the national park! At this point, you might be asking yourself if this attraction is actually worth the drive, especially if you’re a little farther away. The short answer to this question is ABSOLUTELY, and here are 5 reasons why!

Cades Cove is one of the most-visited destinations in the national park, and it’s no wonder why! From picnicking to wildlife viewing and so much in between, there’s an activity for everyone to enjoy. Here are a few things to avoid doing to ensure that you have a successful trip to Cades Cove.

Cades Cove is known for its stunning scenery and the variety of activities available for visitors to enjoy. However, this special destination in the national park is also rich in history. Read on to discover 6 things you might not have known about Cades Cove history, and next time you visit, you can point out these little-known facts to all of your friends and family!

On Oct. 16, a black bear was spotted roaming around a hotel in Gatlinburg! This is just one of many recent black bear sightings in the area. Get all the details on the sighting of the bear at the Gatlinburg hotel and learn what you should do if you encounter a bear.

Cades Cove is far and away the most popular section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Over 2 million visitors frequent this breathtaking valley each year to see its historic buildings, gorgeous mountain views, and spectacular wildlife. While today it seems obvious that Cades Cove would become a can’t-miss attraction in the Smokies, the valley’s potential wasn’t always recognized.

The Cherokee people have deep roots in Cades Cove. Years before the first Euro-Americans settled in the cove, the Cherokee had their own village in the valley. Known as “Tsiya’hi,” which means “Otter Place,” the settlement was situated near streams that were teaming with otters. The name “Cades Cove” is taken from Chief Kade, the Cherokee leader of Tsiya’hi.

One of the most iconic landmarks in the Smoky Mountains is getting a tune-up! This September, the John P. Cable Mill in Cades Cove will have its water wheel replaced for the first time in 18 years. Swapping out the historic gristmill’s water wheel is no easy task because a new wheel had to be built completely from scratch. Local reporter Jim Matheny recently visited Cades Cove to profile the construction of the new water wheel in a piece for WBIR News:

Is Cades Cove haunted? We can’t say for sure (that’s a question for paranormal investigators), but we do know that there are a few Cades Cove ghost stories that have been told for decades around these parts. One of our favorite tall tales from the valley was transcribed in The Granny Curse and Other Ghosts and Legends from East Tennessee, a 1999 book by Janet Barnett and Randy Russell. Known as “The Cussing Cover,” this electrifying ghost story is perfect for your next campfire. Read on for our retelling of this classic yarn.

Beginning this spring, visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will have the chance to adopt black bear cubs as pets. The unprecedented new policy is part of the park’s effort to cut down on the number of abandoned bear cubs in Cades Cove. The National Park Service made the official announcement in a press release this morning. We have summarized the park’s new adoption initiative below.