Cades Cove Loop Road To Open Early - April 24th 2010

Cades Cove Loop Road is to reopen on April 24th, which is a month earlier than expected. The road was projected to be closed three months, beginning March 1, for major work, including a repaving of the loop.

The $6.7 million redo of the popular 11-mile loop inside the Great Smoky Mountains National park was slated to be completed no later than May 21. Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson credited contractor APAC-Atlantic Inc. Harrison Division and the Federal Highway Administration for the quick completion of the large project.

To commemorate the reopening on Sunday morning, April 25, the park and the Friends of the Smokies are planning a one-time-only “Cades Cove Loop Lope,” which will offer pre-registered runners a choice of the full 11-mile loop or a 3.5 mile loop course. for more info check out this link. Cades Cove Loop Lope

The loop is usually limited to bicycles and pedestrians until 10 a.m. Saturday and Wednesday from May through September. The one-time closure on April 24 will be extended to noon.

Slow Down in the Smokies - Part 2 Townsend TN

Slow Down in the Smokies - Part 2


If you have not been to Townsend TN yet, you will definitely want to check it out -It's been labeled the "peaceful or quiet side of the Smokies"…


I love this sleepy little town !! Take Hwy 321/Wears Valley Rd away from Pigeon Forge. Travel down the mountain(about 6-7 miles from Wears Valley; 15 miles from PF), through several curves and as the road straightens out you will look over beautiful pasture land out to the mountain peaks beyond.


As you cross the bridge over the Little River to Townsend's only stoplight. You can rent tubes and float down the river in the hot summer or just try your hand at trout fishing(check with the local convenience stores in Townsend for fishing licenses).

At the stoplight in Townsend, if you turn left - you will be headed into the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and then on to Cades Cove. Also to the left, you will pass Smokin’ Joes BBQ restaurant - it sits on the Little River with a screened in porch for dining in the summer… GREAT ribs, BBQ and chicken....... Yum- and don't even get me started on the desserts ! Wonderful blackberry cobbler or the very special - pecan cobbler.




Just past here is the new Smoky Mountain Heritage Center The Center highlights the history of Native Americans and mountain life from periods 3000 B.C. (Native American) to 1930 (settlers).
The center is 17,000 sq feet on a 3-acre site and includes an additional 10 historic structures on site. The museum features displays of native artifacts showcasing the history of the Native Americans and many examples of pioneer artifacts such as tools and materials used in daily lives.

At the light in Townsend, if you turn right - there is a really nice local convenience/grocery store - The Village Market on the right - less than a mile.. They don't have a huge selection but do have a deli and bakery.. See the Townsend Visitor Center across the street....


There's a great walking or bicycle trail(wide sidewalk) all the way through Townsend across the street from the river. It is mostly flat with a few slightly rolling hills, you can rent bikes around town...

The Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum is just past the Village Market in Townsend....... It tells the story of the area's logging history with hundreds of photographs, restored equipment and interpretive exhibits.


Railroad buffs enjoy seeing one-of-a-kind locomotives and logging machinery and visiting with volunteer staffers rich with the knowledge of the old railroad's operations. In the early 1900's, a busy railroad operated in the Smoky Mountains, bringing tourists to the area and taking thousands of trees out. See the website for more info Little River Railroad

See Slow Down in the Smokies - Part 1

See Cades Cove In A New Way! Cades Cove Heritage Tour - Smoky Mountains-TN

If you have ever visited Cades Cove in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee just outside of Townsend, then you know traffic can be frustrating at times !

With gorgeous mountain scenery on every side, the line of tail lights in front of you might test your patience. Weekends and holidays in the Cove can be very busy with traffic abounding but now there's a solution....

You can enjoy beautiful Cades Cove in a new way. This special Cades Cove Heritage tour will be stress free! You can leave the driving to them!! Have the entire family together, learn as you go, enjoy the wildlife, scenery, and history of Cades Cove without touching the gas pedal.. Take your camera for lots of Smoky Mountain photo ops !

You can even help the enviornment, less pollution - which is a good thing.. For a fun and educational trip led by a knowledgeable guide in a comfortable, fuel efficient 19 passenger van, take the Cades Cove Heritage Tour, departing from the CCHT Depot in Townsend at various times.

The pricing is reasonable - Adults $13, Children $8, Seniors $10

To make reservations or more info, call 865-448-8838 or email Alex Roche: alex.gsmhc@cadescoveheritagtours.org

Cades Cove Heritage Tours is a private non-profit that seeks to provide a superior visitor experience, protect the natural and cultural resource of Cades Cove, and help alleviate overcrowding, traffic and pollution in the Cove. The tours are made possible by community partners, the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, Smoky Mountain Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the National Parks Conservation Association.