| What is Cade's Cove? | | | | and enjoy the peace and quiet of the cove. You will |
| A cove is a relatively flat valley between mountains | | | | see trees in the meadows that you just know were |
| or ridges, according to the Smokey Mountains | | | | once climbed by the kids of the cove. These trees |
| Association. Cade's Cove is a perfect example of this | | | | are perfect to throw your blanket and watch the |
| definition. | | | | wild animals graze in the meadows beside you. |
| Located just 23 miles south and west of Gatlinburg, | | | | There are also old home sites surrounding the cove, |
| high in the Smokey Mountains Cade's Cove takes | | | | some only accessed by trails leading from the road. |
| you back in time to the early 1800's when the cove | | | | On our last visit we took a road to Parson's Branch |
| was first inhabited. Cade's Cove has been home to | | | | near the far end of the cove. This road passes in |
| as many as 125 families since the first settlers came | | | | front of one of the preserved homes where we saw |
| over the mountain on old Cherokee Indian trails about | | | | a family of 5 breaking out the picnic blanket and the |
| 1820. The main road you take into the cove from | | | | picnic basket. The kids were enjoying the stream |
| Gatlinburg didn't even exist until 1934 when it was | | | | that ran in front of the former family home. I |
| built by the park service. | | | | wondered how long it had been since this home had |
| When you decide to take the windy mountain road | | | | heard the sound of kids laughing and playing. |
| to visit the cove take a picnic basket along with the | | | | Certainly, the former inhabitants would be pleased to |
| thought that you are going to truly enjoy the relaxing | | | | see their home site being used in such a pleasant and |
| atmosphere that Cade's Cove has to offer. | | | | happy way. |
| Cade's Cove has hundreds of acres of mountain | | | | If you would rather sit at a picnic table Cade's Cove |
| meadows surrounded by some of the most beautiful | | | | can accommodate you. Near the cove's entrance you |
| mountain ranges in the Great Smokey Mountains. | | | | will find a nice picnic area that has a stream running |
| These meadows gently slope downward toward the | | | | alongside. Setting up your picnic on any of these |
| bottom of the cove where you will find trout and | | | | tables will give you a comfortable seating area with |
| otter filled streams that flow from one end of the | | | | the sounds of a running creek to complete your |
| cove to the other. | | | | picnic experience. |
| These meadows are home to a host of wild animals, | | | | So, if you are anywhere near the Great Smokey |
| many of which you will see roaming the same | | | | Mountains you should pack your picnic basket and |
| meadows where you can throw your picnic blanket | | | | make plans to spend time in Cade's Cove soaking up |
| and enjoy the scenery. On our last visit to the cove | | | | the great scenery, the relaxing atmosphere and the |
| we saw whitetail deer roaming, grazing and playing | | | | peaceful tranquility of a picnic in the cove. |
| within yards of people who had never been so close | | | | Picnic baskets have been around for centuries and |
| to wild animals. | | | | are having a ressurgence in recent years. |
| Picnicking in Cade's Cove | | | | Picnic backpacks are now one of the more popular |
| As you take the 11 mile road that surrounds the | | | | items to take on a trip. |
| cove you will see dozens and dozens of places that | | | | CJ Picnic Baskets has hundreds of picnic backpacks |
| are just begging someone to throw down a blanket | | | | and baskets, most with free shipping. |