Check out a newer (2020) updated version of this post on my new blog: The Ultimate Guide To Cades Cove
I got a completely different vibe from Cades Cove at Sunset. Although it was no less packed with people and vehicles than it was during the day, our sunset drive through the cove felt more relaxed and peaceful.
If you want to read more about our honest opinion of our first visit to Cades Cove click here. I didn’t have an incredibly positive impression of the cove after our first visit. But I really wanted to see a bear and everything (brochures, blogs, even the NPS website) suggests that Cades Cove is THE place to see them. People come from all over to drive this 11-mile – one way, loop road to try to see the wildlife that is abundant in this part of the park.
Historically speaking, the cove was always plentiful in term of wildlife. The Cherokee hunted deer, bison, elk and bear in the cove. However, after settlers began to arrive and the population boomed, only an estimated 30 deer remained in the Great Smoky Mountains in 1934 when the park was established. (Brewer) Thanks to the protection offered by the National Park Service the deer population began to grow and now the deer population is very healthy. We saw at least 10 to 12 deer on our sunset drive through the cove.
Of course, the main draw, the enormous animal that everyone wants to see when visiting the Smokies is the black bear. Now, I know it makes no sense for me to want to see a black bear here. Mostly because I grew up in an area where black bear are abundant and saw them often enough growing up. I don’t know why, but I really wanted to see one in Great Smoky Mountains.
There are approximately, 1500 black bear in the park, which makes it seem like the odds are in your favor. However, we saw exactly 0 bears in Cades Cove during our 2 visits. Keep in mind that if you are lucky enough to spot a bear you don’t want to approach it. They are very powerful and dangerous animals and it is illegal to approach them within 50 yards (or 150 feet). Also, do not allow bears to approach you and never ever try to feed wild animals. For more bear safety tips click here.
Our sunset drive through the cove began with spotting gorgeous horses from Cades Cove Stables. We didn’t get to do a horseback riding tour but if we ever return to this part of Tennessee it will definitely be on my list. These horses were beautiful!
We didn’t get to see much wildlife (only crows, really) on our first drive through Cades Cove and loved seeing all of the deer during our sunset drive.
The way the sun was hitting the mountains was gorgeous and we pulled over just to relax and take in the view.
As the sun sets the cove gets an otherworldly vibe to it. It’s gorgeous and honestly, after the sunset drive, I can understand why it’s the most visited place in the park. I can see why everyone suggests that Cades Cove is THE place to visit while in the Great Smoky Mountains.
I’ll make the same suggestion; only I will add, don’t do yourself a disservice and go to Cades Cove in the middle of the day. Wait until you can go at sunrise or sunset. But don’t expect to have the place to yourself. There were just as many, if not more, vehicles/people in Cades Cove at sunset. It was a never-ending stream of cars that caused a major traffic jam at the end of the loop road.
But ya know what, GO anyway! Cades Cove really is a place that you should see if you find yourself in this part of Tennessee.
Resources
Brewer, Carson. Cades Cove Tour. Gatlinburg: Great Smoky Mountains Association in cooperation with National Park Service, 2010.
