Take a Picnic Basket when you go to Cade’s Cove

By: Nathan Lewis

What is Cade's Cove?

A cove is a relatively flat valley between mountains or ridges, according to the Smokey Mountains Association. Cade's Cove is a perfect example of this definition.

Located just 23 miles south and west of Gatlinburg, high in the Smokey Mountains Cade's Cove takes you back in time to the early 1800's when the cove was first inhabited. Cade's Cove has been home to as many as 125 families since the first settlers came over the mountain on old Cherokee Indian trails about 1820. The main road you take into the cove from Gatlinburg didn't even exist until 1934 when it was built by the park service.

When you decide to take the windy mountain road to visit the cove take a picnic basket along with the thought that you are going to truly enjoy the relaxing atmosphere that Cade's Cove has to offer.

Cade's Cove has hundreds of acres of mountain meadows surrounded by some of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the Great Smokey Mountains. These meadows gently slope downward toward the bottom of the cove where you will find trout and otter filled streams that flow from one end of the cove to the other.

These meadows are home to a host of wild animals, many of which you will see roaming the same meadows where you can throw your picnic blanket and enjoy the scenery. On our last visit to the cove we saw whitetail deer roaming, grazing and playing within yards of people who had never been so close to wild animals.

Picnicking in Cade's Cove

As you take the 11 mile road that surrounds the cove you will see dozens and dozens of places that are just begging someone to throw down a blanket and enjoy the peace and quiet of the cove. You will see trees in the meadows that you just know were once climbed by the kids of the cove. These trees are perfect to throw your blanket and watch the wild animals graze in the meadows beside you.

There are also old home sites surrounding the cove, some only accessed by trails leading from the road. On our last visit we took a road to Parson's Branch near the far end of the cove. This road passes in front of one of the preserved homes where we saw a family of 5 breaking out the picnic blanket and the picnic basket. The kids were enjoying the stream that ran in front of the former family home. I wondered how long it had been since this home had heard the sound of kids laughing and playing. Certainly, the former inhabitants would be pleased to see their home site being used in such a pleasant and happy way.

If you would rather sit at a picnic table Cade's Cove can accommodate you. Near the cove's entrance you will find a nice picnic area that has a stream running alongside. Setting up your picnic on any of these tables will give you a comfortable seating area with the sounds of a running creek to complete your picnic experience.

So, if you are anywhere near the Great Smokey Mountains you should pack your picnic basket and make plans to spend time in Cade's Cove soaking up the great scenery, the relaxing atmosphere and the peaceful tranquility of a picnic in the cove.

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