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Cades Cove: Wildlife Safari in the Great Smoky Mountains

  • Post last modified:December 14, 2020
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His tiny, fuzzy black face peered out between the weeds. Our eyes met as I yelled to stop the car. By the time we pulled over, it was too late. His cute fluffy bottom was already making its way back to the tree line, and probably back to mama bear. Darn, I missed my chance at what would have been the best photo of my Cades Cove wildlife safari adventure.

Cades Cove Pinterest Image

One of the most remote areas in the Great Smoky Mountains is also one of the most visited. Surrounded by gorgeous mountain views, the valley of Cades Cove is historically significant to the Cherokees as a hunting ground. Though, no settlements existed until the early 1800’s, when European settlers came.

Within an 11-mile loop road, Cades Cove is home to ten historical building sites. Actually, it has the widest variety of historic buildings of any area in the national park.

However, it’s not the historical houses, churches, mills, and barns that bring crowds flocking to this area of the Smokies, it’s the wildlife safari feel of Cades Cove. As you creep along the road, scan the tree line for bear, deer, and if you’re really lucky, a coyote or bobcat.

Cades Cove is home to one of the largest populations of black bears and one of the easiest places to see them. In addition to bears, it’s common to see horses, wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, and other forest critters.

Traffic Issues at Cades Cove

Cades Cove’s popularity comes with a price. Traffic! The route is an 11-mile one-way road, with one entrance and only one paved exit.

We tried to visit Cades Cove a few years ago. After about an hour of waiting in traffic near the entrance, we took the first turn-around to leave the loop.

Traffic was better this time, even though it was summer. First off, we went during a weekday. Plus, with Covid, summer crowds were noticeably less. However, even with lesser crowds we still got stuck in long traffic jams, but it helped us learn why these jams happen.

A lack of parking definitely causes some backups, especially around the John Oliver Place. However, the main issues occur from wildlife sightings. Like a traffic accident, even if the first cars pull off the road, everyone else wants a good look. Who wouldn’t want to see a bear? It’s certainly why most of us are here!

The best way to avoid these backups is to go early in the morning, when the animals are active, but most people are not. Or go on one of the car free days. Typically, every Wednesday from early May until the end of August is vehicle-free.

Going late in the afternoons does not avoid the traffic. Lots of folks only come at this time for wildlife spotting. They go round and round Cades Cove, like a wildlife safari.

When you do get stuck in traffic, give yourself a mental break and just accept it. Take it as a sign that there’s something interesting to be spotted.

Cades Cove Wildlife Sightings

As we entered the park, just after the information kiosk parking, we came across our first traffic backup. Several horses (not wild) grazed in the large open field, while a flock of turkeys dangerously weaved their way around the cars. Tourists snapped their photos. 

Turkeys grazing at Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains

As we made our way around the circuit, we spotted several white-tailed deer grazing in the thick forest. The quiet side roads near the Primitive Baptist Church seemed like a good spot to find them.

White Tailed Deer Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains, TN

Spotting Bears at Cades Cove

Our favorite spotting of the day happened just past the Missionary Baptist Church. A tiny bear cub took me by surprise as he peered out of the high grass. By the time we pulled off the road, he was already heading back into the forest. We waited a while to see if he would come back out but had no luck.

Bear cub seen on wildlife safari at Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains

Considering bears are either eating or sleeping, the easiest way to spot a black bear is to think about what is around to eat. This is especially true if you visit in the early morning or late afternoon when they are active and foraging.

Bears eat a predominately vegetarian diet. Often, you’ll see them grazing in the clearings close to the tree line. In summer, look for patches of blackberries. These guys love their berries. In fall, bears eat a lot of nuts to prepare themselves for winter. Keep an eye out for oak trees with lots of acorns. 

Don’t forget to look up. Bears spend a lot of time hanging out in the trees. We found this big fella sleeping away his day in the large oak just across from the Dan Lawson Place.

Black bear lounging in tree, Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains, TN

Being Safe Around Black Bears

Luckily, here in the southeast we only have black bears, which are a lot less aggressive than brown bears. They are also a lot cuter, so it’s easy to forget they are a dangerous wild animal. But they are, and they can kill you.

Most importantly, you must keep your distance, at least 50 to 100 yards as recommend by the National Park Service.

If a bear starts to approach you or watches you, take this as a warning that you are too close, and slowly back away. Never turn your back to the bear and always maintain eye contact. The National Park Service has a fantastic page on bear safety.

Finally, it’s very important you don’t intentionally or unintentionally feed
a bear. This could cost someone, and the bear their lives.

Bear Signage, Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains, TN

More On The Great Smoky Mountains

Need more reasons to visit Cades Cove, check out our other post:

For more on the Great Smoky Mountains. Check out:

You can support this website, at no additional cost to you, by using our links to purchase; hotel stays, rental cars, travel products and more. Learn more.

Where To Stay for Cades Cove?

The small town of Townsend, TN is the closest town to Cades Cove. However, there’s not a lot of choices so most folks stay in Gatlinburg, TN or Cherokee, NC when visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Here are a few suggestions for clean, comfortable accommodation, in great locations.

Books on The Great Smoky Mountains

If you are spending a few days in the Great Smoky Mountains, or plan on doing a few return trips, it’s worth picking up a book on the area.

Travel Resources

We recommend and use these companies to arrange our travel plans; they make travel planning easy and affordable. If you have questions on our experiences, feel free to ask us!

This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Jeffrey Wayne Wilson

    Everyone has to go to Cades Cove, its a must.. If you can get up an hour and a half before sunrise, you can beat the traffic, but that’s the only way.. It’s still worth the drive back in the dark to see all the animals .. Get there an hour and a half before dark, get some ice cream at the general store, take a deep breath because of the traffic, you will not be disappointed at the animals.. You can stop at most of the trails and still see bears and maybe a wild boar, and some old homesteads, or church.. It is must do trip. When you leave, take your time, roads are curvy and by the river, so gets foggy. Take your time and you’ll be fine. Its a great trip…

    1. Nicole

      Thanks Jeffrey, great tips! We really enjoyed Cades Cove and completely agree, despite the traffic everyone should at least go once.

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