Travel to the Smokey Mountains National Park. Here you will experience 500,000 acres of pristine steams and breath taking views. With over 800 trails you and your family will enjoy. All trails range from easy, to the more challenging, but all are sure to amaze and delight the onlooker. Take a travel back in time with Cades Cove in Tennessee. Cades Cove formally known as Kate's Cove got its name after an Indian chief's wife. Cades Cove has been preserved to look as it would have in the 1800's; tucked away in a valley of the Smokey Mountains Nations Park.
Cades Cove is an 11 mile loop that you can travel in your automobile, bike, or hike. It offers a wide array of wildlife, wildflowers, and wide variety of trails. Cades Cove begins near Sparks Lane. Here you can chose to rent a bike, go to the visitor's center, or use the restroom. First you will see The Oliver's Cabin where John and Lurany the first settlers to the Smokey Mountain region lived. Then the Methodist and Primitive Baptist churches are next. Next you will be able to get out and take a quick hike to Elijah Oliver's cabin, son of John and Lurany Oliver. Here you will be able to see his cabin, corn crib, spring house, and barn. Your next stop will be The Cable Mill Historic Area and Visitor's Center. The Cable Mill is in operation from April-October. It offers a beautiful, rustic example of how settlers in the 1800's would have lived. There is a Sorghum Mill where molasses is still currently made, and can be purchased at the Visitor's Center. Here are some examples of what will see during your visit to the Cable Mill Historic Area.
- Gregg-Cable's House
- Cable Mill Barn
- Corn Crib
- Smokehouse where the settlers stored and preserved their meat
- John p Cable Mill. The mill is still in operation April-October.
- Mill Flume. The flume stretches across the settler's community. It is a devise used to divert water from a stream to power the Mill.
- Abrams Falls Trail-which is 5 miles in length so approximately 3 hours to hike depending on your pace
- Cantilever Barn a construction were the top is larger then the base
- Last but not Least a Black Smith Shop
Back on the loop next stop is where you will able to see Henry Whiteheads Cabin. It one of the nicest cabins built in the 1800's. Next is Cades Cove Nature Trail, where around May you will be able to see dogwood in bloom. In fall it boast of colors with its maple trees. After that is Dan Lawson's Place, then the Tipton's Place, and then last but not least The Carter Shield's Cabin. You will exit the Cades Cove Loop the same way you entered by Sparks Lane. Cades Cove is located right outside of Townsend Tennessee (The peaceful side of the Mountains) or only miles away from Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. Cades Cove is truly an experience the whole family can enjoy.
