We Biked Cades Cove On Vehicle-Free Day & Saw 2 Bears!

Cades Cove Vehicle-Free Days are all day Wednesdays from May 4 to September 28, 2022 to provide opportunities for pedestrians and cyclists to experience Cades Cove without motor vehicles.

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⏱️⏱️VIDEO CHAPTERS⏱️⏱️
0:00 - Intro
1:10 - Driving To Cades Cove
1:30 - Cades Cove Campground
1:46 - Cades Cove Bike Parking
2:31 - Cades Cove Bike Ride
3:21 - John Oliver Cabin in Cades Cove
3:34 - Cades Cove Bike Ride
4:02 - Foggy Morning Water Break
4:33 - Steepest Incline Section & Downhill
5:08 - Primitive Baptist Church
5:17 - Methodist Church
6:04 - Hyatt Lane
6:19 - Rich Mountain Road
6:25 - Missionary Baptist Church
6:46 - First Wildlife Encounter (Deer)
8:45 - Copper Road Trail & Steep Grade
9:12 - More Deer!
9:25 - Elijah Oliver Trail Parking
9:48 - Abram Falls Trailhead
10:04 - Cable Mill Historic Area & Visitor Center (Restrooms)
10:47 - More Deer!
11:30 - We Found A Black Bear!
12:39 - Most Dangerous Section of Cades Cove Loop
13:10 - Cades Cove Bike Ride
13:32 - Hyatt Lane
13:45 - Dan Lawson Place
14:01 - Cades Cove Mountain Views
14:30 - Tipton Place
14:50 - More Deer & Mountain Views!
15:59 - Carter Shields Cabin
16:54 - Our 2nd & Favorite Black Bear!
18:11 - Cades Cove Bike Ride Continued
19:17 - Cades Cove Horse Carriage Rides
19:46 - Almost There!
20:35 - We Made It (11 Miles)!
21:03 - How hard is it to bike Cades Cove?
21:30 - Final Thoughts

https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisi...

You can rent bikes at the Cades Cove campground:
https://cadescovetrading.com/bikes/


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📬 Contact Us
[email protected]
Ryan & Brie
PO BOX 4975
Sevierville, TN 37864

For over 40 years, park managers implemented several vehicle-free opportunities for bicyclists and pedestrians in Cades Cove. Prior to 2020, the road was closed to vehicles on Wednesday and Saturday mornings until 10:00 a.m. from May through September. Under the morning-only closure model, traffic leading to Cades Cove area was often gridlocked by a line of motorists waiting for the Loop Road to open to motor vehicles at 10:00 a.m. In addition, the entire developed area was congested with parked vehicles. After filling the designated parking areas, visitors often used inappropriate areas for parking such as road shoulders and campsites.

In 2020, park managers implemented a pilot project for a full-day vehicle-free period. The intent of the pilot project was to test whether visitor use could be effectively spread throughout the day to address congestion, parking, and safety issues associated with the vehicle-free period and to provide improved access to multiple user groups. In 2021, the pilot project was extended with a modified parking plan. In 2022 and beyond, park managers will continue to implement the full-day, vehicle-free Wednesday opportunity for Cades Cove.

Frequently Asked Questions
How will I know if parking is full?
Park staff will notify visitors when parking is full with signage along Laurel Creek Road.
Can I bring a vehicle with a trailer to vehicle-free day?
Parking is extremely limited for oversized vehicles. While trailers (such as horse trailers) and other oversized vehicles (such as RV’s) are not prohibited, parking in designated spaces is required and the number of spaces available is limited on vehicle free days.

Where can I go for a scenic drive if the Cades Cove Loop Road is closed?
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is very scenic! Other options include the Foothills Parkway between Chilhowee Lake and Wears Valley for scenic views; Little River Road for a scenic drive along a river; and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail for a scenic drive with opportunities to explore historic structures.

Are the campground and picnic area still open on vehicle free days?
Yes! The campground (with a reservation) and picnic area are still open on vehicle free days. However, parking in the picnic area is limited, especially in the morning. Other picnic areas in the park include Metcalf Bottoms, Chimneys, and Collins Creek (North Carolina).

Are the horse stables and campground store open on vehicle free days?
Yes! The horse stables and campground store remain open on vehicle free days.

Is there somewhere I can rent a bike in the park?
Yes! There is a bike rental near the campground store. Be prepared to wait as bike rentals are very popular.