Biking Cades Cove In Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Avoid The Traffic Jam By Hopping On A Bike

Cades Cove is one of the most picturesque and most popular destinations in the Smokies. Because of its quiet beauty, historic cabins, and abundance of wildlife (you’re almost guaranteed an animal sighting), many people come to the Smokies just to drive through Cades Cove.

Unfortunately, that turns this gorgeous one way loop into an ugly one-way traffic jam.

It can easily take more than an hour to drive the 11 mile loop because of car traffic. The locals know to avoid Cades Cove at all costs during the busy fall and summer seasons when it gets even worse. (Doesn’t seem like that could be possible but it is.)

Bike The Cades Cove Loop With No Cars On Wednesdays During The Summer

TAKE SOME TIME TO SLOW DOWN AND ENJOY ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING SPOTS IN THE SMOKIES

Fortunately, the good news is that you can avoid the traffic jam and bike or walk the loop on Wednesdays from early May to September. The loop is closed to all motorized vehicles on this day and it is, in our opinion, one of the must do activities for the family in the Smokies.

*You can bike the loop on the other 6 days of the week as well, but it is so crowded you’ll just end up with carbon monoxide poisoning from all the cars lined bumper to bumper. Tried it once and swore never to do it again.

Biking the Cades Cove Loop on a car free day is one of our family’s favorite things to do in the park and we try to do it at least 2-3 times per year.

How Long Is The Cades Cove Loop?

You Have Options: 11 Mile, 8 Mile, or 4 Mile Loops

Depending on your time or fitness level, you can hike, bike, or run the entire 11 mile loop. Anything but a car. (You can even cheat a little and ride an electric bike which is an increasingly popular option.)

If you don’t have the energy or the time for the entire 11 mile loop, you can cut across the main loop at Sparks Lane for a 4 mile loop or you can cut across at Hyatt Lane for an 8 mile loop.

The 11 mile loop is paved all the way, but keep in mind that Hyatt Lane and Sparks Lane are gravel roads. They tend to be well- maintained and I have never had a problem on my bike but it is still different than pavement.

8 MILE LOOP ON HYATT LANE

The last time we rode the loop, we took Hyatt Lane and loved it. Not many people take it, so you’ll get to have some quiet moments and miss a few hills that you would have otherwise climbed.

You do miss some good higher elevation views looking down on the valley by skipping the back part of the 11 mile loop but we find it worth it to leave most of the people on the main loop road and find a little solitude on this gravel road.

4 MILE LOOP ON SPARKS LANE

When our children were young, we walked the 4 mile loop (along Sparks Lane) with our jog stroller. It was just as beautiful walking the loop if you’re not privy to a bike or don’t want to pull a bike caddy up the hills. Note that Sparks Lane is not paved and depending on rain levels, you might encounter a small stream crossing. Worse case scenario, you’ll need to remove your shoes and cross.

*Walking Tip*

If walking the Sparks Lane loop, begin your walk where the bikers exit the loop, not where they start the loop. Walking the loop clockwise, you get less bike traffic as bikers must ride the loop counter-clockwise.

Frequently Asked Questions

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO BIKE CADES COVE?

If you are in good shape and cruising fast with no stops, expect it to take about an hour. For most families, I would plan for about 2 hours. Aim for 3- 4 hours if you stop to explore some of the sites on the loop like the John Oliver Cabin, Primitive Baptist Church, or the Cable Mill which we highly recommend.

You can even park your bike and do some hiking. Abrams Falls is a wonderful hike that is often overcrowded on regular days but a peaceful exploration on these car free days.

It’s no problem to leave your bike parked by the roadside or in a designated parking lot as long as it’s out of the way of others while you explore. Theft isn’t a big problem in this out of the way place but I would still probably lock your bike, especially of you are bringing your own fancy one.

Biking is a great way to see a lot of the park in detail but there aren’t any food options beyond the campground store or a very small selection at the Cable Mill gift shop so pack some snacks. Biking is hard work!

WHEN IS CADES COVE CAR FREE?

Starting usually in early May, the Cades Cove Loop is closed to cars during the day on Wednesdays until the first of September. You can check the NPS website for the official days which change slightly from year to year.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO BIKE CADES COVE?

SUNRISE

Our favorite is to arrive in time for sunrise for awesome photos. You also want to go early if you want to get first dibs on bike rentals. That generally means you should be here around 6am for sunrise and no later than 7am for rentals.

The rental store doesn’t open until 7am, but on our last visit we got in line just before 7am and there were about 50 people ahead of us. I think they ran out of bikes by 8 am and then you had a 1-2 hour wait for people to turn bikes back in after their ride. Not fun.

If 6-7am sounds painfully early, consider camping at Cades Cove Campground or staying overnight in Townsend the night before your ride. See Where To Stay in Townsend.

SUNSET

Or maybe consider an evening ride and take advantage of the long daylight hours. But you won’t be able to rent bikes from the Cades Cove rental place as they close at 5pm and the last rentals go out at 3 pm. For an evening or moonlit ride (another popular activity on a full moon), you will have to bring your own bikes.

CAN MY KIDS BIKE CADES COVE OR IS IT TOO HILLY?

There are a few steep hills, but you can always push your bike up them or down them. The loop itself is fairly hilly, so you’re either coasting down a hill or cranking up one. There is absolutely no shame walking your bike up a hill as many people do, including us!

The steepest hills are on the backside of the loop between the Cable Mill stop and Carter Shields Cabin. Saving the best for last as always! Note that you can avoid a few of the steepest hills if you take the shortcut on Hyatt Lane.

If you have kids fairly new to biking, they may be intimidated by the hills. It honestly depends on your kids, and you know them best.

Our adage is to simply take your time, rest when needed, and it will be a fun time for all. We have taken our kids many times over the years (ages 7-15) on the entire loop and everyone managed it just fine in usually just under 2 hours. We just walked up some of the steeper hills and stopped for granola bars when needed. It is always one of the kids’ favorite summer activities.

Multiple volunteers are stationed throughout the loop, especially by the steeper downhills. They will encourage you (and especially your kiddos) to walk or go very slowly downhill as well as enforce the helmet rule for children. On the map above, you’ll see “WALK” in red letters, which indicates the steeper downhills on the loop.

WILL WE SEE WILDLIFE IN CADES COVE?

You are almost guaranteed to see wildlife, especially if you are here early in the morning. The last time we rode, we saw a black bear and her cubs (at a safe distance), turkeys, and deer. If you see a lot of people stopped on the side of the road, that’s your signal to pull over and take a look!

*** Like the turkeys, the bears are also used to bikers and will pay you no mind unless you get off your bike and try to come close to them. So don’t do that.

ARE THERE RESTROOMS?

Restrooms are located near the Campground Store at the beginning of the loop as well as mid-way through the loop at the Visitor Center at the Cable Mill.

CAN I BRING MY DOG?

Dogs are technically allowed anywhere in the park cars can go so, yes, you can walk the loop with your dog. We have really enjoyed this with our dog although we have only done the Sparks Lane 4 mile loop.

You must have your dog on a max 6 foot leash at all times, be prepared to pick up dog poop and carry it to the nearest available trash can (this could be far), and be alert for bears or coyotes.

*Please be a responsible pet owner and abide by the rules for the safety of your pet and the well being of the animals in the park. Do not walk your dog in Cades Cove if you or your dog aren’t able to follow the rules.

Tips For Biking Cades Cove

HELMETS

Make sure you bring bike helmets. Children 16 and under are required to wear helmets, so bring one or rent one. This is strictly enforced. I have seen someone get helicoptered out of the Cove after a bad wreck on a downhill so adults should reeeally think about one too. Also, deer sometimes like to cross the road without checking both ways first so it is very possible to wreck without it even being your fault.

WATER, FOOD, ETC

Bring a water bottle for sure. Even if the day starts off cool, it will warm up fast and you will want water. You can fill your water bottle from the water fountain near the restrooms near the Campground store or at the Cable Mill restrooms halfway around the loop. There are no other water fountains on the loop itself. You can buy bottled water at the Campground store or at the Cable Mill gift shop but they may not be open if you are here early.

Bring a granola bar or snack for stops. You can bring from home or buy something from the Campground store. You work up an appetite biking and there isn’t anywhere to buy food on the loop itself, besides very limited offerings at the Cable Mill gift shop. (*Both the Campground store and the Cable Mill gift shop may not be open if you are here early in the morning.)

And remember to wear sunscreen. Thanks Mom!

LAYERS

If you arrive early enough to see the sunrise, it will be chilly, especially as the loop starts with a pretty long downhill that always gives me goosebumps But it quickly warms up as soon as the sun rises. Biking up the hills will also help to warm you up, so dress in layers because you will be shedding them by the end.

Bike Rentals In Cades Cove

Bring your own bikes or rent bikes (kids and adult bikes available) at the Cades Cove Campground Store. Rental bikes are available on a first-come, first-served basis on 7am on Wednesdays and at 9am other days of the week.

Adult bikes are $8.50 an hour and kids bikes are $5.50 per hour. You can pay with credit card or cash. You will need to prepay how many hours you think you will be and they will charge you the extra when you come back if you are late. Pay for at least 2 hours and 3 if you think you might stop and tour some cabins.

Helmets are included in rental and most bikes come with a water bottle holder.

The rentals are greenway cruisers and the shifters can be wonky, so while comfortable rides, not exactly great for cranking up the hills. But totally manageable as long you aren’t expecting to set land speed records.

Parking At Cades Cove (Go Early!)

*DON’T FORGET YOUR PARKING PASS!* As of March 2023, you will need a parking pass to park anywhere in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for more than 15 minutes. Parking passes can be bought online, at all Visitor Centers, and at a few other places, like the Townsend Visitor Center. Passes are $5 for the day, $15 for the week, and $40 for a year. They are not transferable either, meaning you will need one for each car you plan on driving into the park. The GSMNP website has lots of details and FAQ about the new parking passes. These new passes will help pay for some much needed maintenance throughout the park, including at rest areas and campgrounds.

The best parking is in the parking spots located on the left just before reaching the one-way portion of the Cades Cove Loop Road. This parking area is small though and fills up fast, so more than likely you’ll turn left before entering the Cades Cove Loop and head towards the campground to park at the picnic area or near the stables area.

The picnic area is our second favorite place to park, especially if you are planning to have a picnic after your ride. You can park in front of your chosen spot, leave your car there while you ride the loop, and return afterwards.

It used to be that you could park anywhere along the road into Cades Cove as long as all 4 wheels were off the pavement but the sheer numbers of people made that untenable. In 2022, I noticed the rangers strictly enforcing parking in designated lots. There are volunteers manning each parking area keeping track of available spots. So when you drive into Cades Cove, you will be stopped by a ranger or volunteer and told where to park.

Because of the popularity of the car free Wednesdays and the limited parking, it is possible you won’t be able to visit if the lots are full. This is more likely after about 10 or 11 am in June, July, and early August. It thins out again by late afternoon. So go early or go late or take your chances on not being able to go at all.

Treat Yourself After Your Ride

The Campground Store in Cades Cove offers snacks, drinks, and well-deserved soft-serve ice cream cones.

Or consider packing a picnic and heading over to the nearby Cades Cove Picnic Area for lunch. You can picnic right by the river and cool off in the frigid water before driving home.

Another good option is to stop in Townsend for breakfast at Riverstone Restaurant or lunch at Peaceful Side Social (our favorite), the Townsend Abbey or Apple Valley Cafe.

Kids can also enjoy an ice cream cone at the local’s favorite Burger Master in Townsend where you order at the window and enjoy outside at one of the picnic tables.

No Time To Plan Your Vacation to the Smokies?

No worries, we’ve already done it for you. Lodging recommendations, where to eat, favorite hikes, fun activities and more!

All in a detailed, day by day itinerary that is curated down to what is the best of the Smokies. We have lived here all our lives and this is where we go with our families, and where we take our friends from out of town. Truly a local’s guide to everything you need to know for a fantastic family trip to this beautiful national park.

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