Top 3 Things to Know About Vehicle-Free Days on Cades Cove Loop Road
Top 3 Things to Know About Vehicle-Free Days on Cades Cove Loop Road
One of the best ways to experience the beauty of Cades Cove Loop Road is on the vehicle-free days during the summer months! Every Wednesday from mid-June to late September, the Loop Road is closed to motor vehicles so that pedestrians and cyclists can enjoy this scenic area without vehicular traffic! To make the most of your experience, check out these top 3 things to know about vehicle-free days on Cades Cove Loop Road:
1. What to Expect
Cades Cove is one of the most popular destinations in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as it is a stunning scenic valley completely surrounded by mountains! The area offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, as well as many interesting historical buildings such as homesites, cemeteries, and churches. The best way to explore Cades Cove is on an 11-mile, one-way loop road that encircles the valley and provides access to all of the sights, hiking trails, visitor center and more! The Cades Cove Loop Road allows traffic on most days throughout the year, but the road is vehicle-free on Wednesdays during the summer months. This is the perfect time to experience Cades Cove as a cyclist or pedestrian, as you don’t have to worry about any cars!
2. Best Times to Come
Cades Cove Loop Road is open daily from sunrise to sunset, giving you plenty of time to enjoy this spectacular area of the park! There tends to be a rush for parking spaces first thing in the morning on vehicle-free Wednesdays, so consider coming in the late afternoon (if you plan to rent a bike, you will have to come early in the morning to claim your rental). Once the parking spaces are full, vehicles are turned away and asked to return later. Park only in designated spots and remember that parking tags are required for Cades Cove vehicle-free days.
3. Cades Cove Bike Information
If you are planning on biking along Cades Cove Loop Road and have an electric bike, note that only class 1 and class 2 e-bikes are permitted in the park, and cyclists must follow the posted speed limit of 20 miles per hour. If you didn’t bring a bicycle along for your trip to the Smokies, you’ll find bike rentals available near the campground store. These rentals are only available at 7 AM on vehicle-free Wednesdays and can be reserved in advance by contacting the Cades Cove Trading Company at 865-448-9034. Whether renting or bringing your own bike, be sure to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle (children under 16 are required by law to wear a helmet).
Where to Stay
Enjoy a fabulous vacation just minutes away from Cades Cove Loop Road with a stay at our Smoky Mountain vacation rentals! We offer a variety of affordable accommodations to meet your needs, including condos, secluded cabin rentals, and more! There is no need to settle for a hotel room when you can stay in a cabin or condo with a fully equipped kitchen, gorgeous mountain views, hot tubs, and all other types of fantastic amenities!
Check out all of our vacation rentals in the Smokies today to plan the perfect getaway near Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cades Cove Loop Road! We look forward to seeing you this summer!
