Cades Cove Loop Road

Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee · Loop entrance → Loop exit

Intense9.5 mi50 min800 ft climbHigh point ≈ 1,900 ftOne way

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The drive

Cades Cove Loop Road is a one-way road around a broad valley in the Great Smoky Mountains. The park describes an 11-mile loop with three churches and historic buildings, including Cable Mill, and a self-guiding tour booklet covers the stops. The route here is 9.5 miles, from just past the loop entrance to the end of the loop.

The road is rated Intense, with three twisty stretches and about 800 feet of climb. The park says to allow at least two to four hours, and the drive time shown here, 50 minutes, assumes no stops.

Along the way

Loop entrance
North side
Cable Mill
Loop exit

Elevation

800 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 1,900 ft

Loop entranceLoop exit

Curves

Mostly moderate, with three twisty stretches

mi 0–3mi 2–5mi 6–10

Loop entranceLoop exit

GentleHairpins

Good to know

The loop is open sunrise to sunset and is typically closed to vehicles on Wednesdays from May through September.
Traffic is heavy in summer and fall and on weekends year-round; use the paved pullouts to stop.
Parking longer than 15 minutes needs a parking tag. It is not an entrance fee.
Keep your distance from wildlife; the park notes even turkeys have attacked people.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Great Smoky Mountains National Park: closures.

Questions about this drive

How long does Cades Cove Loop Road take?

The park says to allow at least two to four hours, longer if you hike. The route here is 9.5 miles and 50 minutes without stops.

Is Cades Cove Loop Road one-way?

Yes. Cades Cove Loop Road is one-way and open sunrise to sunset, weather permitting.

Is Cades Cove closed to cars on Wednesdays?

The loop is typically closed to vehicles on Wednesdays from May through September.

Do you need a pass for Cades Cove Loop Road?

Parking longer than 15 minutes needs a parking tag, $5 per day. The park says the tag is not an entrance fee.

What you get in the app

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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