KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced Cades Cove Loop Road will be fully closed for three weeks in the fall to resurface the roadway.
Is Cades Cove open to visitors? The Cades Cove Visitor Center is open every day of the year except for Christmas day. However, the hours of the facility do fluctuate based on season.
Consequently, How much does it cost to go to Cades Cove? Admission is free. Cades Cove features an 11-mile, paved loop road around the cove. A self-guiding auto tour booklet is available for $1 at loop road entrance. The booklet provides an excellent description of the historic buildings and other sites in the cove.
Is Cades Cove worth the drive? The drive to Cades Cove alone will definitely be worth the trip. As you drive through the beautiful wooded areas of the Smoky Mountains and enjoy breathtaking views, you and your family will feel like you arrived in Cades Cove in no time.
FAQ
Is Cades Cove loop open today?
Cades Cove Loop Road – Open daily from 8 a.m. until sunset.
Is Cades Cove Open 2021? Cades Cove is open year round from sunrise to sunset, weather permitting.
What is the best time to see bears in Cades Cove? Bears can be found throughout the park, but are easiest to spot in open areas such as Cades Cove and Cataloochee Valley. Go in the morning (6 a.m. to 10 a.m.) or late afternoon (3 – 7 p.m.). Black bears tend to be out foraging around these times, and an added perk is that the morning and/or evening light is divine.
Is Cades Cove open December 2021? The Cades Cove Visitor Center is open year-round, except for Christmas Day. It is located near the middle of the Cades Cove Loop Road.
Where are black bears in Gatlinburg?
The Best Places to See Bears in Gatlinburg
- Cades Cove. Cades Cove is the number one spot for wildlife viewing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. …
- Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is another one of the best places to see bears in Gatlinburg. …
- Ober Gatlinburg Wildlife Encounter.
Is Cades Cove Open 2022? Cades Cove Loop Road: Vehicle-free access along the Cades Cove Loop Road each Wednesday, from May 4th through September 28th. Otherwise the road is open daily from sunrise until sunset, weather permitting. Clingmans Dome Road: Open April 1 – November 30, 2022, weather permitting.
How long does it take to get through Cades Cove?
Access the Cades Cove Loop from Laurel Creek Road, Parson Branch Road, or Rich Mountain Road—the latter two roads are closed during winter. The Loop is a one-way (one-lane) paved road. The scenic driving tour through the Cades Cove Loop takes approximately two to four hours depending on traffic.
Are black bears aggressive? However, black bears are typically not aggressive and fear the « repercussions of attacking someone, » Garshelis said. « They just don’t want to attack people, » Garsheilis said. « They’re kind of timid animals. »
How long does it take to drive the loop at Cades Cove?
Access the Cades Cove Loop from Laurel Creek Road, Parson Branch Road, or Rich Mountain Road—the latter two roads are closed during winter. The Loop is a one-way (one-lane) paved road. The scenic driving tour through the Cades Cove Loop takes approximately two to four hours depending on traffic.
What months are bears most active?
If you want to give yourself the best chance to see an active bear, September and October are the best months. Bears are most active during this period, preparing for their lengthy hibernation. Some of the most popular activities for bears include snoozing, wandering, and fishing.
Can you be buried at Cades Cove? Here you can find many of the early settlers of Cades Cove, including the very first, John Oliver and his wife, whose cabin you passed just before arriving at the church. Those who lived in the area when Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established and their family members can still be buried in the cemetery.
How good is bear spray? Bear spray is 98% effective, while guns are 95% effective. Just this number tells you that you’re better off with bear spray. Most bears are scared of humans, noise, and gunshots and will be deterred if you fire at them (even if you don’t hit them).
What months do bears hibernate in Tennessee?
One of the animals in the Smoky Mountains that many folks hope to see is the black bear. However, most bears are in their winter dens from mid-December to mid-March so they can be difficult to spot during the winter season.
Can you go to Clingmans Dome at night? Yes, Clingmans Dome is open year-round, including at night. Though the dome is open year-round, Clingmans Dome Road typically closes from December to late March and under certain weather conditions.
Is Clingmans Dome free?
One of the best things about trekking to Clingmans Dome is that it’s free! There is no entrance fee to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
What days is Cades Cove open? The Cades Cove Loop Road is open daily from sunrise until sunset, weather permitting, with the following exceptions: The road is closed to vehicle traffic every Wednesday and Saturday until 10 a.m. from May 10 to September 27, 2017.
Does Cades Cove bathroom?
It is good to note, as well, that the bathrooms are located at the amphitheater near the campground, and half way around the loop at the visitor center (see map below).
Is there cell phone service in Cades Cove? Is there cell service in Cades Cove? There is no cell service in the Cove, on the way to the cove, or in the picnic area.
Does it cost to go to Clingmans Dome?
One of the best things about trekking to Clingmans Dome is that it’s free! There is no entrance fee to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
What to do if a bear is chasing you? Identify yourself by talking calmly so the bear knows you are a human and not a prey animal. Remain still; stand your ground but slowly wave your arms. Help the bear recognize you as a human. It may come closer or stand on its hind legs to get a better look or smell.
How do you scare off black bears?
Stand and face the bear directly. Never run away from or approach him. Make yourself look as big as possible by spreading your arms or, better yet, a coat. Make as much noise as possible by yelling, banging pots and pans or using other noisemaking devices.
What should I do if I see a black bear? Alter your route or back away slowly, preferably in the direction you came. Walk, do not run, and keep your eye on the bear so you can see how it reacts. In most cases, the bear will flee. If the bear walks toward you, act boldly, yelling and throwing something at it.
