3. Cades Cove Campground

Getting to Cades Cove Campground

The drive into Cades Cove is scenic and relaxing, winding through foothills with frequent wildlife sightings.

The road is paved and well-maintained but narrow and curvy, drive slowly, especially when towing.

From Townsend, TN (recommended route):

• Take U.S. 321 (Lamar Alexander Parkway) toward the park.
• At the Townsend “Y,” bear right onto Laurel Creek Road.
• Follow Laurel Creek Road ~7.4 miles all the way to Cades Cove.
• The campground entrance is on the left just before you reach the Loop Road (large brown NPS sign).

Parking Tags

A parking tag is required anytime a vehicle is parked anywhere in Great Smoky Mountains National Park for more than 15 minutes (this includes trailheads, overlooks, picnic areas, etc.).

• Your paid campsite allows one vehicle to park at your site without a tag.
• A second vehicle at your site needs a tag.
• Any parking outside the campground (Loop Road pull-offs, picnic area, etc.) requires a tag.

Two self-service kiosks are located at the Cades Cove Orientation Shelter near the campground entrance.

Tag options at the kiosk:

Tag options:

• Daily: $5:00
• Weekly: $15.00
• Annual: $40.00 (available at visitor centers or Smokies Life stores, not at kiosks)

Read: Everything You Need to Know About Parking Tags in GSMNP

Cades Cove Campground Description

The campground sits in a wide, open valley ringed by mountains and bordered by Abrams Creek.

Sites are shaded by large trees, and wildlife (deer, turkeys, bears) is commonly seen in the surrounding meadows.

Individual Campsites (159 total)

• 29 tent-only sites with pads
• Remaining sites accommodate RVs (mostly back-in, some pull-through)
• Sites hold up to 6 people and 2 vehicles (1 RV max)
• Section B (near the creek, ~85 sites): Generators allowed year-round
• Section C (~73 sites): Generator-free mid-May through October for quieter camping
• Only two sites (C31 & C57) have very limited 5-amp electric for medical needs
• No water or sewer hookups anywhere

Group Campsites (4 sites)

• Located behind Section C
• Accommodate 20–30 people each
• G3 has a covered pavilion
• Open mid-March through late October (closed in winter)

Amenities

• 7 restroom buildings with flush toilets and cold running water
• Potable water spigots throughout
• Dump station (behind Section C)
• Small amphitheater for occasional ranger programs
• Ranger station near entrance
• No showers in the campground (private showers available in Townsend)
• Firewood must be heat-treated/certified (available at camp store)

Reservations and Registration

Advance reservations are required year-round for all individual and group sites, no walk-ups.

• Book up to 6 months in advance
• Online at Recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777
• Peak season (summer & October foliage) fills quickly, book as early as possible
• Maximum stay: 14 consecutive days
• Winter: Fewer sites open, but still reservation-only

Enjoy your stay in one of the most beautiful valleys in the Smokies!

Cades Cove Campground Store

The Cades Cove Campground Store (operated by Cades Cove Trading Company) is located near the entrance and carries:

• Groceries, ice, camping supplies
• Certified heat-treated firewood
• Snacks, sandwiches, pizza, ice cream, breakfast items
• Souvenirs and park maps
• Bicycle rentals, especially handy on vehicle-free Wednesdays (early May–mid Sept) when the Loop Road is open only to bikes and pedestrians

Hours vary by season; typically 9:00 AM–5:00 PM or later in peak season.

Things to Do at Cades Cove Campground

The campground’s location puts nearly everything Cades Cove offers within walking distance or a short drive.

Picnicking

The large Cades Cove Picnic Area is right at the campground entrance (first-come, first-served, no fee).

Dozens of tables and grills under shade trees, bordered by Abrams Creek, perfect for creek play or a post-Loop-Road lunch.

Fishing

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a great place to fish for a variety of trout.

Abrams Creek runs alongside the campground and picnic area. Rainbow and brown trout are common.

A Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license is required, and park-specific regulations apply (single-hook artificial lures only in most areas; some catch-and-release sections).

Read: Fishing in Great Smoky Mountains National Park: A Semi-Comprehensive Guide

Horseback Riding

Cades Cove Riding Stables is just before the campground bridge. Offers guided trail rides, hayrides, and carriage rides (March–October).

Several valley trails are open to horses; reservations recommended in fall.

Other popular activities include driving or biking the 11-mile Loop Road, hiking from the nearby picnic-area trailhead, and wildlife viewing (the meadows around the campground are prime bear and deer habitat at dawn and dusk).

Nearby Points of Interest

Cades Cove Campground’s prime location puts some of the Smokies’ best attractions within a short walk or drive.

Here are the highlights (all within the cove unless noted):

• Cades Cove Loop Road (11-mile one-way scenic drive): Starts just beyond the campground entrance. Historic cabins, churches, grist mills, and some of the park’s best wildlife viewing (bears, deer, turkeys). Vehicle-free biking/predictable on Wednesdays from early May to mid-September.
• Abrams Falls Trail: 5-mile round-trip moderate hike to a 20-foot waterfall with a deep swimming hole. Trailhead is ~4.5 miles down the Loop Road (one-way section). One of the most popular hikes in the park.
• Historic Structures in Cades Cove: Cable Mill, Elijah Oliver Place, Primitive Baptist Church, Methodist Church, and more—over a dozen 19th-century buildings scattered along the Loop Road. Interpretive signs and a self-guided booklet (available at the entrance or camp store) explain the valley’s history.
• Rich Mountain Road (seasonal one-way gravel road): 8-mile scenic escape from the cove to Townsend. Great wildflowers in spring and fewer crowds. Closes in winter.
• Parson Branch Road (seasonal primitive road): 8-mile one-way rugged route from the far end of the Loop Road toward US-129 (Tail of the Dragon). 4WD/low-range often recommended; closes in winter and after heavy rain.
• Gregory Bald Trail & Other Back country Access: Serious hikers can start longer treks from the picnic area trailhead (Anthony Creek Trail to Bote Mountain to Gregory Bald, famous for June flame azaleas).
• Townsend, TN (the “Peaceful Side of the Smokies”): 20–25 minutes away by auto. Closest town for groceries, restaurants, tubing on the Little River, private showers, and the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center.
• Little River Gorge Road (to Gatlinburg/Sugarlands): If you want waterfalls and river views, head back out Laurel Creek Road to the Townsend “Y” and turn toward Gatlinburg, numerous pull-offs and trailheads (The Sinks, Meigs Falls, Laurel Falls trail, Elkmont, etc.).

All of these spots keep you within the national park boundary or just outside it, making Cades Cove one of the best bases for exploring the Tennessee side of the Smokies.