Cades Cove is a Wonderful Place to Spot Wildlife in the Great Smoky Mountains
I’ve had the chance to visit Cades Cove multiple times since I live close by in East Tennessee. The park has a reputation as a premiere destination for spotting black bears, deer, and other wildlife and is just a short drive from Townsend. Wildlife like black bears can be tricky to spot if you visit Cades Cove at the wrong time, so timing and patience are key!
#1 Make Sure You Visit Cades Cove Early in the Morning
By early, try to grab a parking spot before 8:30 am. The earlier you visit the park, the better your chance of finding wildlife grazing. You’ll also have an easier chance of finding a parking spot and getting to the park.
Also, people will naturally stop to see the wildlife, so if the park is busy, you might not be able to see anything due to the crowds. The best way to prevent being stuck behind a crowd is to visit the park as early as possible.
You’ll also find great lighting for that perfect picture in the morning. I even managed to take a picture of four deer standing together, with a mom close by her baby deer. Visiting Cades Cove early in the day prevents any shadows you might have later in the day when standing out in the open clearing.
#2 Visit Cades Cove on Car-Free Wednesdays
Car-free Wednesdays in Cades Cove are my favorite times to visit the park. I enjoy visiting Cades Cove on these days because you have a better chance of seeing wildlife while walking around and exploring the park. The noise from vehicles on non-car-free days can scare away wildlife and make it difficult to see anything. 
Car-free Wednesdays at Cades Cove start in May and go toward the end of September. People enjoy biking the Cades Cove loop on car-free Wednesday though you can also walk or run the 13 miles if you’re up to the challenge. If you spot something, It’ll be much easier to stop and get a great view of the wildlife than if you were in a vehicle that’s waiting in line behind other cars. 
Overall, since the roads are clear for bikers and people traveling on foot, Cades Cove is so much more peaceful for both the people and the wildlife. You’ll also be able to get a great workout from all the biking and walking from exploring the loop!
#3 Take Your Time When Visiting Cades Cove
It’s easy to rush through the park, hoping to spot wildlife. However, I’ve had the chance to spot wildlife while walking around and visiting the cabins (more on this later). There’s so much to do and see at the park that it’s worthwhile to slow down and enjoy your day at Cades Cove.
Give yourself more time to spot wildlife that may have otherwise been difficult to spot. There will be several places where you can stop along the loop with an open clearing. These stopping points along the trail are a great place to rest and wait for wildlife. You may also spot little critters while you're there!
#4 Visit the Cades Cove Gift Shop at the Halfway Point
I’ve spotted black bears, deer, and turkeys near the gift shop at Cades Cove. These areas are perfect spots to take a lunch while also seeing wildlife. While you’re there, you can also use the restroom and refill your water.
While I was at the Cades Cove gift shop on car-free Wednesday, I spotted a black bear with several cubs. They were right by the cabins, which were just a little ways away from the gift shop. Some of the cubs were even climbing the fence and trees!
#5 Stop by the Cades Cove Cabins
Finally, I spotted both deer and turkey while walking around the cabins. You won’t need to look that hard to find them–I’ve even seen deer standing right next to the path by a trail leading up to a cabin! My favorite cabin to spot wildlife is the first one you see during the loop. The cabin will be to your right, and this is where I’ve seen deer grazing early in the morning.
If you visit the cabins, you might encounter wildlife that would have otherwise been hidden from view from the road. It’s worth walking the short distance to see these cabins and pay attention to any wildlife that might be in the woods.
Are You Visiting Cades Cove?
I hope you found these tips useful. Please let me know what you think and share your experience visiting Cades Cove if you’ve visited in the past!
If you’re looking for that perfect Cades Cove souvenir or gift, I designed a Cades Cove t-shirt and iPhone case inspired by a picture I took at Cades Cove with deer and mountains in the backdrop. You can find these apparel items here.
