No words can fully describe the beauty of Cades Cove.  The trip on a one-way 11 mile loop road perfectly combines cultural history with the natural beauty - in fact, the 4,000 acre valley is often referred to as an open-air museum.  Grazing cattle, frolicking deer, an occasional bear along with the natural surroundings, paint a picture of pastoral Smoky Mountain beauty.

The Cove was originally settled by John Oliver but derives its name from Cherokee chief Abrams' wife Kate.  Over the years, "Kate's Cove" became "Cades Cove".  The valley harbored a thriving community for over a hundred years.  In 1850, its population peaked at 685 people.  The opening of the western frontier lured many families away from the Cove, and by 1860 only 269 people remained.

Preserved Structures - The homes of John Oliver, Carter Shields, Henry Whitehead and Dan Lawson dot the valley floor and represent a variety of building techniques.  The Whitehead home is made from logs sawed square at a nearby mill.  The Lawson home features an unusual chimney made of brick fired on the spot.  Other buildings include a smithy, smokehouses, corn cribs and a cantilevered barn.

Historical Churches - Three of five original churches remain in Cades Cove today.  The oldest among them is the Primitive Baptist Church, built in 1827.  These churches and the surrounding cemeteries provide fascinating insight into the lives and times of the 19th century.  For instance, the Baptist church was forced to close during the height of the Civil War because of its Union sympathies.  In the cemetery nearby, one headstone reads simply "Bas Shaw - Killed by Rebels."

Working Corn Mill - Halfway along the loop stands John P. Cable's 19th century farm.  Once a self-contained world, today the farm illustrates the daily lives of early settlers.  The farm's centerpiece is the 1868 mill that still grinds corn raised in the Cove.  It is open daily from mid-April through October.

While automobile is the most popular way to tour the Cove, it's not your only option.  Many people take on the loop as a hike, while others prefer the sights, sounds and smells of the Cove on bicycle.

Cades Cove is even spectacular under blankets of winter snow - the one-way loop can be a little trickier to drive on - It is advisable to check with the park service (865-436-1200) to check out road conditions before venturing into the Cove in such weather.