Cades Cove Campground
Inside the park · Cades Cove Loop Road
159 sites at the entrance to the Cades Cove Loop Road — the park's most reliable wildlife-watching corridor.
Price
$30–$36
per night
Booking
Books early
Type
Campground
You'll book on Recreation.gov. We don't handle reservations.
Score breakdown
Weighted from seven categories.
Why it scores this way
Cades Cove scores at the top for wildlife and family — black bear and deer sightings are near-daily on the loop road at dawn. Booking follows suit.
See methodology →Best for
- Black bear watchers
- Families with kids
- Historic-cabin day trippers
- Bike-the-loop weekends
Good to know before booking
- Wednesday mornings the loop road is vehicle-free for cyclists
- Camp store rents bikes
- No hookups; big rigs to 40 ft
- Sightings are best from an hour before sunset until dark
Best time to camp here
- Best months
- April – November
- Higher demand
- June – August, October leaf season
- Weather note
- Fog is common in the mornings — the smokies earn the name.
Amenities
Essentials
- Toilets
Site features
- Firepits
- Picnic tables
Comfort & connectivity
- Camp store
Access & activities
- Trailhead access
- Ranger programs
Tags
Approximate location
Nearby alternatives
Three campgrounds close by, each with a different trade-off.
Data note. Scores are editorial estimates from published park data, amenity lists and seasonal booking patterns — not live availability. Booking availability shown on partner sites is authoritative.
Disclosure. CampingPoints may earn a commission when you book through some partner links. This never affects a campground's score or ranking.
Last reviewed: January 2026
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