Cades Cove Named One of the Most Beautiful Places in the Country
We’ve always thought of Cades Cove as one of the most beautiful places in America, and now everyone else does too! On its list of the 45 most beautiful places in the U.S., Country Living gave Cades Cove the title of “America’s Most Beautiful Valley.” Learn more about this recognition and what makes Cades Cove one of the most stunning spots in the country!
Cades Cove Most Beautiful Valley
Country Living included Cades Cove on its list of the “45 Most Beautiful Places in America,” recognizing it as America’s most beautiful valley. The magazine said, “When you visit this isolated valley in the Great Smoky Mountains, it feels like you’ve stepped back in time.” The peacefulness you’ll find in Cades Cove, along with the numerous historic structures, wildlife viewing opportunities and mountain views, makes this one of the most special spots in the country.
About Cades Cove
Cades Cove is the most visited destination in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and it’s not hard to understand why. Located about 30 miles from Gatlinburg, this mountain valley is a must-visit if you’ve never been. The Cades Cove Loop Road is an 11-mile one-way loop that takes visitors through the cove, providing an opportunity to explore and see the sights from the comfort of their vehicles. If you want to get out and explore a little by foot, there are pull offs along the road that allow you to do just that! Along the loop, you’ll see historic structures, gorgeous views of the area, and even wildlife. Cades Cove is one of the best places in the national park to spot black bears! Here are some other popular sights to see in Cades Cove:
John Oliver Cabin – The John Oliver Cabin is the first stop along the Cades Cove Loop Road. It was built in the early 1820s, making it the oldest Cades Cove structure! John Oliver and his wife Lucretia were the earliest European settlers of Cades Cove. You can get to the cabin with a 10-minute walk from the loop road.
Historic Churches – There are 3 historic churches in Cades Cove, and each is a beautiful sight to see. The Cades Cove Baptist Church was first established in 1827 so that Cades Cove Baptists didn’t have to travel through the Smokies to attend services. However, a division developed because one side believed the scripture allowed for missionary work, and the other side did not. So, in 1841, it became known as the Primitive Baptist Church. After the split, Pastor John Adams and other congregation members established the Cades Cove Missionary Baptist Church in 1841. The church building that still stands today was built in 1915. The Methodist Church that stands in Cades Cove today was built in 1902 by John D. McCampbell, the pastor of the church.
John P Cable Mill – The John P. Cable Mill was built in the 1870s and is one of the most popular stops in Cades Cove. The mill is located about halfway along the loop road. It allowed people living in the cove to grind their corn and wheat into flour to make bread. It was also used to cut lumber. The Cable Mill still operates today!
Abrams Falls – Abrams Falls is a gorgeous, 20-foot waterfall that can be found in Cades Cove. In fact, it’s one of the most popular waterfall hikes in the Smoky Mountains! To get to the waterfall, you’ll hike Abrams Falls Trail. The Abrams Falls trailhead is located at the far western end of Cades Cove. Abrams Falls is so popular because of the large volume of water rushing over the falls. It creates a long, deep pool at its base that makes for a stunning sight! The roundtrip distance to the waterfall and back is about 5 miles.
Plan Your Visit to Cades Cove!
You don’t want to miss your chance to explore one of the most beautiful places in America! Learn more about Cades Cove hours and start planning your trip.
