If your kids have never ridden around the Cades Cove Loop, you have to take them the next time you visit the Smoky Mountains! From wild creatures to hiking the trails, there are so many things your kids will enjoy doing with you. Check out these 5 things your kids will love along the Cades Cove Loop:
1. Seeing Wildlife
One of the best parts of riding along the Cades Cove Loop is seeing wildlife. If you go on the road early in the morning, you are likely to see deer grazing in the meadows, raccoons looking for food, and possibly even bears walking from tree line to tree line. You could also see turkeys in the grassy areas early in the mornings. Chipmunks will be looking along the ground for nuts that have fallen, and possums will waddle across the road. If you stop to take pictures in any of the meadows, you might even spot butterflies and bees flying from flower to flower. Kids will love spotting the different animals native to this area of the Smokies.
2. Mountain Views
As you drive through Cades Cove, you’ll have incredible views of the mountains. If you live near the beach or somewhere flat, these sights are incredible, especially for the first time. Of course, they’re always incredible, even if you see them often throughout the year! The dark blue of the distant mountain range is beautiful at sunrise and sunset, and the green leaves of summer or wildly colorful trees in the fall are very impressive.
3. Hiking to Abrams Falls
About halfway through the 11-mile loop, you’ll come to the trailhead for Abrams Falls . The roundtrip length is 5 miles and is considered moderate. Once you reach the falls, you’ll be along the river where people enjoy fishing and cooling off in the summer. This waterfall is 20 feet tall and has an enormous amount of water gushing to create an incredible waterfall. Your kids will have a blast hiking along the trail and seeing the waterfall before you turn around to go back to your car!
4. The Picnic Area
Cades Cove has a picnic area next to their campground where your whole family can enjoy a meal together. Pack sandwich stuff in a cooler and bring it with you. Each picnic table has a charcoal grill where you can make hamburgers and hot dogs if you want. Don’t want to have to prepare your own meal? Grab a family feast from one of the restaurants in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg before you head to Cades Cove. After you eat, the kids will have a blast playing in the creek next to the picnic tables!
5. Riding Stables
To make a whole day of Cades Cove, take your kids to the Cades Cove Riding Stables. They can see Cades Cove a whole new way on horseback and see what it was like to be a settler back in the day. If your kids love animals, this is the perfect way to travel through the Cades Cove Loop. Plus, you’ll make memories that will last a lifetime!
Want to go on another scenic drive in the Smokies? Check out everything you should know about Newfound Gap Road!
Your kids will love riding around the Cades Cove Loop! For even more kid friendly activities, look at these kid friendly things to do you have access to while you stay with us!
