What is the most popular destination in the Smoky Mountains national park?

Cades Cove
Cades Cove Loop Road Once a remote valley community, Cades Cove today is easily the most visited and photographed locations in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Why is Cades Cove famous?

The valley was home to numerous settlers before the formation of the national park. Today Cades Cove, the single most popular destination for visitors to the park, attracts more than two million visitors a year because of its well preserved homesteads, scenic mountain views, and abundant display of wildlife.

How many people visit Cades Cove each year?

2 million visitors
Cades Cove, and area filled with overlooks, wayside exhibits and historic buildings, gets 2 million visitors a year. Another area prone to clogging is Clingmans Dome, at 6,643 feet the highest peak in the Smokies and along the Appalachian Trail.

Is the Smoky Mountains the most visited national park?

Attracts more than 10 million visitors each year. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most-visited national park in the United States, and it’s not hard to understand why.

Is Cades Cove the most popular destination in the Smoky Mountains?

Cades Cove is the most visited area of the national park. With wildlife and 19th Century home sites, this idyllic setting is a sample of everything the park has to offer. There’s tons of history in the area.

Why is Gatlinburg so popular?

It also came in fourth place on TripAdvisor’s list of global up-and-coming destinations. Set in the picturesque entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg is home to a plethora of outdoor activities, a growing food scene, and eclectic attractions that make it a popular destination for travelers.

Why are there no deer in Cades Cove?

Also, disease outbreaks in the 1960s and 1970s took a toll on the deer population in Cades Cove, Miller said. “In some outbreaks, up to 80 percent of the deer population was wiped out,” he said. Some critics have accused the National Park Service of removing deer from Cades Cove to reduce the population.

Are there bears in Cades Cove?

Bears can be found throughout the park, but are easiest to spot in open areas such as Cades Cove and Cataloochee Valley. Go in the morning (6 a.m. to 10 a.m.) or late afternoon (3 – 7 p.m.). Black bears tend to be out foraging around these times, and an added perk is that the morning and/or evening light is divine.

Why is Great Smoky Mountain the most visited national park?

The number one reason the Great Smoky Mountains are so popular is because it’s one of the only national parks in the United States that doesn’t charge an entrance fee. There are several programs in place, including Friends of the Smokies, a program that raises funds for the park.

What is the number 1 most visited national park?

Great Smoky Mountains National Park
1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee. Coming in at the top spot with a whopping 12.1 million visits, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the country’s most-visited national park.

Is Cades Cove worth the drive?

The drive to Cades Cove alone will definitely be worth the trip. As you drive through the beautiful wooded areas of the Smoky Mountains and enjoy breathtaking views, you and your family will feel like you arrived in Cades Cove in no time.