Your Guide to the Cades Cove Loop Wildlife Viewing in the Great Smoky Mountains
If you’re hoping to spot some Smoky Mountain wildlife while you’re in the area, one of the best places to visit is Cades Cove! When you visit this popular area, you’ll have the opportunity to spot black bears, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and more. To help you spot all the animals you want on your trip, we’ve put together a guide of everything you need to know about the Cades Cove Loop wildlife viewing in the Smoky Mountains.
About Cades Cove
Cades Cove is a lush valley in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, rich in the history of a developing nation and abundant in wildlife. Europeans settled in Cades Cove in the early 1800s, and due to the desirable location, the population grew quickly. Buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, including a church, a one-room schoolhouse, and a mill, remain for visitors to explore. The Cades Cove Loop is an 11-mile motor trail encircling the valley, and it is among the best and most popular locations for wildlife viewing for species native to the Smoky Mountains. The road is open year-round from 8 am to sunset, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to visit and spot some wildlife. On Wednesdays from June through September, the loop is closed to vehicle traffic, giving visitors the opportunity to explore on foot or by bicycle.
Cades Cove Wildlife: White-Tailed Deer & More
Turn-outs are offered along the Cades Cove Loop, and cars are frequently pulled over to watch herds of white-tailed deer, the most commonly seen animal in the park. Summertime and weekend days year-round are busy on the loop; however, you’ll have a chance to see deer any time throughout the year, especially in the winter when the trees are bare and they are more easily spotted. Other wildlife to look out for include black bears, skunks, raccoons, turkeys, groundhogs, chipmunks, and coyotes. You might be wondering, Are there elk in Cades Cove? Elk aren’t common in this area of the Smoky Mountains– we recommend driving to Cataloochee on the North Carolina side of the park to see elk.
Black Bears in the Smokies
The best time to catch a glimpse of a black bear in Cades Cove is in the spring following their hibernation and summer, which is mating season. Bear sightings are becoming more common in the Smokies, so be sure to be on the lookout when you visit! The Cades Cove Loop is one of the safest spots to see a black bear because you’ll be in the safety of your car. Keep in mind that the national park requires visitors to stay at least 50 yards away from Smoky Mountain wildlife at all times. This is for both your and Cades Cove bears safety.
Tips for Viewing Smoky Mountain Wildlife
For the best chance to view wildlife in the Smoky Mountains, visit in the early morning or late evening. The animals are more likely to be out roaming around when there are fewer crowds. You should also bring a pair of binoculars for the best view, since you should not be within 50 yards of the wildlife. Binoculars and telescopic camera lenses are excellent ways to watch wildlife on the Cades Cove Loop without getting too close.
Where is the Cades Cove Loop?
Cades Cove is located near the Townsend entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The entrance to the Cades Cove Loop is about 33 miles from downtown Gatlinburg and about a 2-hour drive from our rafting outpost. If you’re looking for a day trip from Hartford, Cades Cove is the perfect place to go! When you visit, we hope you have the chance to spot all the wildlife you want along the Cades Cove Loop! You can also see historic structures and valley views, or hike to a waterfall.
Now that you know more about Cades Cove wildlife, you’re ready to visit to see some! Start planning your trip by learning more about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
