Cades Cove Sightseeing Bus Tour from Pigeon Forge

Overview

Take a trip into historic Cade's Cove. Once known as Cates Cove, named after the wife of a Cherokee Chief who had taken a Christian name after converting to Christianity. Chief Abram also adopted a Christian name and now has a waterfall in Cades Cove named after him. Learn this and more on a 5 hour bus tour of the famous Cades Cove. If this area of the Great Smoky Mountains was its own national park it would be the 2nd most visited park in the United Sates.

City: Sevierville

Sun 06 Apr

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $75.00

Make a reservation

Sun 06 Apr

Starting at $75.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Headsets to hear the guide clearly

Driver/guide

Air-conditioned vehicle

Live commentary on board

Additional Info

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately

What To Expect

Cades Cove

Cade's Cove is a broad, verdant valley surrounded by mountains and is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smoky Mountains. It offers some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing in the park. Large numbers of white-tailed deer are frequently seen, and sightings of black bear, coyote, ground hog, turkey, raccoon, skunk, and other animals are possible but never guaranteed. On this amazing and breathtaking tour you will learn a lot about this once thriving community and its people. Learn its history straight from the horses mouth with video commentary from those who lived here and/or their descendants. You will be guided by an East Tennessee local who is very knowledgeable about the mountains of East Tennessee. Your guide not only welcomes questions, he/she suggests it. The more you ask the better your experience will be. Come join us on a bus ride though the amazing and wonderful Cade's Cove. This tour begins at the Shops of Pigeon Forge. From here we head through scenic Wears Valley and Townsend. Once we arrive at the start of the loop you will be offered a chance for a restroom break. Once the loop begins get your camera ready because wildlife can be around any corner. If you spot it let your guide know and he/she will attempt to pull over to get good photos when possible. The valley has a rich history. For hundreds of years Cherokee Indians hunted in Cade's Cove but archaeologists have found no evidence of major settlements. The first Europeans settled in the cove sometime around 1818. By 1830 the population of the area had already swelled to 271. Cade's Cove offers the widest variety of historic buildings of any area in the national park. Scattered along the loop road are three churches, a working grist mill, barns, log houses, and many other faithfully restored eighteenth and nineteenth century structures. Pick up the booklet available at the entrance to the loop road for information about the buildings you'll see in the cove and the people who lived here. We often try to make stops at some of the more popular buildings but this will be based on parking availability at the time. This area has lots of photo opportunities and exploration inside some very old and historic structures including one of the last working grist mills. After a 45 minute break at the half way point we continue our journey around the loop until we reach the end where you are offered another restroom break before we head back to Pigeon Forge to end the tour.

Wears Valley Village

Head into Wears Valley

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Cade's Cove is a broad, verdant valley surrounded by mountains and is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (50)

Judith M

Jun 2018

This was a wonderful tour! Pam was a wonderful tour guide, showing us the wonderful sights of Cade's Cove, and engaging us with stories of the history and culture of the area. Despite a good deal of rain, it didn't detract from the sights or enjoyment. We were delighted that even though we and our friends one couple were the only people on the tour, they did not cancel, and we were never rushed. As a bonus, we saw bears in four!!! different spots, including a mother and 2 cubs that were pretty close to the road. Don't miss this tour.

Debby S

Apr 2018

Our tour guide was very informative & friendly. She wanted to make sure everyone was pleased with their tour. They also showed us a video that was very interesting. The area is a “must see”. We saw black bears hanging from the trees, & turkeys & deer. Don’t really know how people lived back then. Money well spent!

Response from Host

Apr 2018

Thank you all for coming to visit the Smoky Mountains and especially for coming to see us for your tour. Im so happy you all got to see some great wildlife on your tour of the Cove. Our guide Pam sure does know how to entertain folks doesn't she. Its a rare treat to see baby cubs running around playing in the spring time. Thank you for taking the time to write a great review and please come see us again sometime.