I’m a sucker for beautiful scenery and there’s nothing like the majestic vistas of the Smokey Mountains to send me into a picture taking frenzy. During our trip to Pigeon Forge a few months ago we decided to drive to one of our favorite spots, Cades Cove, in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. At first the home to Cherokee Indians, settlers moved into the isolated valley beginning around 1818.
We took the drive through tour, an eleven mile one way loop, filled with historic buildings that begged us to get out and explore. One note: if you take the historic loop during the peak fall season, usually in October, expect to sit in gridlocked traffic for hours. You can get out and walk the eleven miles faster than you can drive, especially if there is a black bear sighting. To make the most of your visit, I suggest purchasing the self guided tour booklet (it costs $1), before entering the park.
Halfway through the loop is a Visitor’s Center, with restrooms!, and a variety of historic buildings to show how people lived in the Cove. There’s a grist mill, a home that was used for an inn for weary travelers, corn cribs, smokehouses, a barn and more that shows how these hearty settlers would have lived off the land. On some days a Park Ranger also has a display of pelts from various animals found in the Cove. Come on, who hasn’t wanted to touch a skunk skin?
For those with a fascination for the paranormal, the area abounds with ghostly tales of haunted weddings seen in area churches or ghostly cabins that aren’t there when you walk up to them. The area is also known for “Rocky Top,” the mountain in the famous song. You can see the peak rising majestically in the distance.
Have you visited Cades Cove? What was your favorite site?
It looks like a beautiful place to visit and I bet even though it is crazy busy, the colors would be gorgeous in October!
I love to visit places like this! I now must visit Cades Cove! It’s on the list. 🙂
I have never been there but your pictures and descriptions make me want to go there so much… it looks so serene and historic!
I miss “green” while living in Vegas — makes me want to visit
Looks like a beautiful place to visit and relax in the south
That home looks beautiful. I love the stone chimney.
Oh that’s so beautiful. It looks so calm and serene there. Looks like the perfect vacation or even retirement spot.
Beautiful pictures! This is all so fascinating. I would love to visit there!
Beautiful pictures i would love to visit there i love anything to do with history anything from a long time ago fascinates me and how people used to live.
That is so pretty! I wanna go relax there as it reminds me of Northern California 🙂
I really loved your post. this looks like such a beautiful place to visit and just relax, you had me until you mentioned ghosts. that did me in, I would have to sleep with the light on. 🙂
I would love to check this out for a homeschool trip!
I absolutely love these photos, definitely a place I would love to visit! How awesome would it be to fix up that old house with the tall stone chimney? So awesome!
Wow, this looks like a beautiful place to visit. I love slowing down a bit and stopping to smell the roses at locations like this one.
I have never visited that area of the country but it seems absolutely beautiful. You have amazing pictures that really make you feel like you are right there.
What beautiful pictures! I love finding historic spots like this to explore!
I would love to go there, those photos are amazing. My oldest would want to run away if he heard the ghost stories.
I have never been, but it looks beautiful!
Looks like a scene from a movie! Sounds beautiful and like something I would like to see for sure!!
I haven’t been to the area as an adult, but I know I would really enjoy that tour a lot. Maybe not in the Fall peak season, but earlier. 🙂
I love visiting new cities and areas and one of our favorite things is to to ghost walks. We went to the Smokies a few years ago and loved it.
Beautiful pictures, Pam! Looks like a geourgeous and interesting place to visit! Glad you enjoyed the visit, and with those view, who wouldn’t, lol
I can totally see why you’d be in a photo frenzy! The scenery is amazing and beautiful. I am a sucker for great scenery and quaint cottages
Oh it is so pretty. It looks like the perfect place to walk around
Awesome pics. Love to visit!
I love the luscious green on that second picture. Your photos somehow warms me, took away the chill I am feeling with this frigid temp down here.
What a great visit and so beautiful. I have never been, but I have to tell you that those ghost stories sure sound interesting. Maybe I’m just crazy like that. Thanks for sharing such beautiful pictures with us.
Definately a nice way to spend a day. The wonders of nature… in a quiet setting. Awesome!
I like visiting historical sites. I’d love to hear the ghost tales, too. It’d be fun to make the boys jump!
I have never been! It looks so peaceful and nice. Thanks for including some great tips regarding maps and times to avoid. This place is going on my bucket list. 🙂
These pictures are breathtaking! I’ve always wanted to visit the Smokey Mountains!
Those pictures are breathtaking. It looks so peaceful there. I would love to visit.
Those pictures are absolutely beautiful, especially the first one!
I’m a sucker for beautiful scenery too. That’s cool that the song was about that place in particular. I haven’t heard or thought of it (the song) for years. My mom used to play it. 🙂 I like your pictures!
I have never been to those ones but there are really beautiful places down in TN
I’ve never visited Cade’s Cove before, but I’d love to. It looks so serene and rustic.
My family and I went to the Smokey Mountains this Christmas and it was absolutely beautiful!
wow how beautiful and peaceful a real step back in time
what a gorgeous spot for a relaxing day with the family!
I have never visited Cades Cove but this place looks gorgeous! I usually shy away from places that look rustic but can see visiting and exploring each place for hours.
Ghosts aside, I love old locations like this. You can just smell the history!
I would like to visit here. One of my good friends is really into haunted sites and I think that she would enjoy visiting here too.
PS – This is on my travel wish list now.
We’ve never visited. I think that my husband and son would enjoy visiting. It looks so peaceful and pretty.
I love the Smokey Mountains…we were there in July of 2013. Davey is 5 and so far that is his favorite vacation. Beautiful country
I love this and we will be in the area in September so maybe I’ll get a chance to visit. I love Tennessee and miss being close enough to visit.
My husband would be very interested in the history of this place! If we are ever passing through I’ll have to stop. Thank for the tip on the guide booklet!
I have never visited that part of the country, but I would love to travel there some day. It looks very pretty.
This is one of our favorite areas to visit, but haven’t made it to Cades Cove yet, will have to add it to the list of “must see” places for our next trip!
It looks beautiful. I’ve never been there but would love to see it.
I would love to visit. That is exactly the type of place I enjoy going when we travel.
Looks like a beautiful place and set back in the woods make it so peaceful. My aunt would totally be into the paranormal aspect but I could do without. That kind of stuff, I can only watch on TV 🙂
that looks like it’s off the set of little house on the prairie! i want to go!
That looks so pretty! I want to go there!
i love places like this, so rich in history and so educational. I would love to take my kids here.
On its own it looks like a beautiful place, but add the paranormal touch and I would definitely love to go there!!
My web designer recently purchased a home in the Great Smokey Mountains. She’s been telling me how beautiful it is, but until now I didn’t really know what she’s meant. No wonder she’s happy there! She’s selling real estate like it’s water, and in the last 2 weeks I have spoken to 3 customers who have moved there “because it’s so pretty”. I’m so glad you shared these pictures with us!
I would love to visit! How beautiful it is! I love enjoying beautiful scenery….though I might skip the ghosts. 😉
I am one of those who thinks its cool to find out about the ghost stuff-lol. Very interesting place!
Very cool. This almost reminds me of Plimouth Plantation where there is a replica of the first settlers village.