What are the hours and season for Cades Cove Campground?

Cades Cove Campground is open Year-round. Check-in: 1:00 PM. Check-out: 12:00 PM.

What are the fire rules at Cades Cove Campground?

Fire rules at Cades Cove Campground: Campfires in provided fire grates only. Tennessee fire restrictions apply in dry periods. Check nps.gov/grsm.

What is the best time to visit Cades Cove Campground?

Sep–Nov: Elk rut, fall foliage peak, bear activity before hibernation. Mar–Apr: Spring wildflowers, bears emerging from dens, migratory birds arriving.

What are the best things to do near Cades Cove Campground?

Near Cades Cove Campground: Cades Cove Loop Road at dawn — wildlife at highest activity, no crowds. Abrams Falls (5 mi RT) — leave before 8am to beat the day-trippers. Wednesday morning bicycle loop — closed to cars until 10am on Wednesdays and Saturdays in summer.

Is there wildlife at Cades Cove Campground?

Wildlife alert for Cades Cove Campground: Black bears highly active in Cades Cove. Maintain 50-yard distance always. Elk bulls during September rut are dangerously aggressive — maintain 50-yard distance.

What are the common problems at Cades Cove Campground?

At Cades Cove Campground: Traffic on the loop road can be severe on summer weekends. Solution: Drive the loop at sunrise (7–9am) before day-trippers arrive.

What are the insider tips for Cades Cove Campground?

Insider tips for Cades Cove Campground: Arrive Sunday or Monday for the best weekday experience The campground store rents bikes — cycling the loop on Wednesday mornings is the definitive experience Sites along Abrams Creek (sites 1–25) have creek sounds and less road noise

What makes Cades Cove Campground unique?

The Abrams Falls trail (5 mi RT from the campground) passes through old-growth forest to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Smokies. Start before 8am and you’ll likely have the trail to yourself. By 10am it’s crowded.

How do I book a campsite at Cades Cove Campground?

Cades Cove Campground is a federal campground — book at Recreation.gov (search "Cades Cove Campground"). Sites are released 6 months in advance and sell out quickly. Set a free CamperWatch cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/cades-cove-smoky-mountains to be notified the moment a site opens up.

Cades Cove Campground

Great Smoky Mountains’ most scenic valley — wildlife and pioneer history

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN4.6 (4102)1,807 ft

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Cades Cove is the most visited area in the most visited national park in the US — and for good reason. The campground sits at the entrance to a stunning 11-mile one-way loop road through an open valley ringed by mountains, with some of the best wildlife viewing east of the Rockies (black bears, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys daily). 159 sites in a wooded setting near Abrams Creek. The valley preserves 19th-century Appalachian homesteads and mills. Year-round access makes this a four-season destination.

Things to do nearby

Cades Cove Loop RoadAbrams Falls TrailheadTownsendCades Cove Loop Road at dawn

Best For

Wildlife watchersFamily campingHistory buffsFall foliageEast Coast road trippers

Site Types

TentRV (no hookups, max 35ft)

Amenities

Flush Toilets

Potable Water

Fire Rings

Dump Station

Camp Store (seasonal)

Bike Rentals (seasonal)

Cades Cove Loop Road Access

Pet Friendly (leash)

Picnic Tables

Check-in

1:00 PM

Check-out

12:00 PM

Season

Year-round

Max/site

6 people

Known Issues

No hookups. Loop road gets gridlocked on summer weekends. Campground fills rapidly May–October. Some sites close in winter.

Cancellation Policy

Recreation.gov standard policy.

Why campers love Cades Cove Campground

The best wildlife viewing in the eastern US — the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop road through an open Appalachian valley with black bears, white-tailed deer, and wild turkeys reliably visible daily. The valley preserves 19th-century homesteads and mills.

What's new in 2026

Cades Cove campground now fully reservable on Recreation.gov.

What campers say about Cades Cove Campground

"Black bear in the meadow 50 feet from the road, cubs in the tree above her. We sat there for 45 minutes."

— Recreation.gov reviewer

"Wednesday mornings the loop is bicycle-only until 10am. Best experience in the park."

— Recreation.gov reviewer

Not the right fit if…

✕You’re going on a summer Saturday expecting a peaceful drive — the loop road backs up for miles on peak weekends

Frequently asked questions

How much does Cades Cove Campground cost per night?+

Cades Cove Campground costs $25 per night depending on site type and season. Hookup options: None — dry camping. Dump station on site.

What season is Cades Cove Campground open?+

Cades Cove Campground is open Year-round. Check-in is 1:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.

Does Cades Cove Campground have hookups?+

None — dry camping. Dump station on site.

What is the maximum RV length at Cades Cove Campground?+

Cades Cove Campground can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet long.

How do I make reservations at Cades Cove Campground?+

Cades Cove Campground is a federal campground — reservations open 6 months in advance at Recreation.gov. Sites sell out quickly. Set a free CamperWatch cancellation alert to be notified the moment a site opens.

Are pets allowed at Cades Cove Campground?+

Cades Cove Campground is pet friendly. Pets must be kept on leash.

What is the cell service like at Cades Cove Campground?+

Limited signal at the campground. Townsend (9 miles west) has decent Verizon and AT&T.

How far is Cades Cove Campground from the nearest town?+

Nearest services: Townsend TN — 8 miles