Great Smoky Mtns. National Park Sights

Cades Cove Picnic Area

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Cades Cove Picnic Area Review

This picnic area, near the beginning of the Cades Cove loop, has 81 picnic tables. Its big advantage is that you're near the beautiful Cades Cove valley; the disadvantage is that as many as 2 million people come through this area each year. At only 1,800 feet high, it can be hot and humid here in summer. Potable water and flush toilets are available. Bears are fairly common here, so closely observe food storage precautions. Spence Field, Anthony Creek, and Thunderhead trailheads are at the picnic area. Open year-round.

    Contact Information

  • Address: 9 mi east of Townsend, near the entrance to Cades Cove Loop and near the Cades Cove campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC, 37882
  • Hours: Sept.--Apr., daily dawn--dusk; May--Aug., daily dawn--8 pm
  • Location: Tennessee Side
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