Cades Cove Camping & Waterfalls Highlight Trip To Smokies

 What better to kick-off the 2022 Camping Season than in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) and specifically at Cades Cove. 

I had wanted to start the season in January or February but it never seemed to work out. However, the top destination was always Cades Cove Campground. In winter (the offseason) there are only two campgrounds open. Those are Smokmont on the North Carolina side and Cades Cove. Besides, it's closer, so Cades Cove made more sense. Plus, I haven't been through the Cove since December 2017, so to the Tennessee side of the Smokies, it is. 

Smokemont (T) & Cades Cove (B) in 2017

Anyway, before camping it was a trip around the Cades Cove Loop. The John Oliver Cabin, two old churches, and the best pull-off in the Cove...all before reaching the Cable Mill Visitor Center. After that, it was past three old cabins and a Bear Jam. Before long it was arriving at the Cades Cove Campground and site Number C34. It is an excellent campground and provided a restful evening and windy night.

John Oliver Cabin (T), Methodist Church (BL) & Primitive Baptist Church

From my favorite spot in Cades Cove

Cable Mill 

Dan Lawson Place (T), The Tipton House (L), Lawson Barn (MR) & Tipton Barn (BR)

Cades Cove Campground

Camp at night

After packing up it was on to the second half of the trip, a day hike to the Smokies' most popular trail Laurel Falls. Since it was a Tuesday in March I didn't think it would be busy...boy I was wrong. It looked more like July or October on a weekend. Parking was down past Mallory Point Overlook, which makes the hike three miles round trip. It was crowded, but the water flow was much better than on my previous trip in 2015. On the way back I thought about going to the Sugarlands Visitor Center, but it too looked like a summer weekend, so stopped at Nantahala Outdoor Center and later REI. It was a nice way to get back to camping in 2022.

Laurel Creek Cascade (T) & The Sinks (B)

The hike to the busy Laurel Falls Trailhead

On the way to...

...Laurel Falls

More Photos: SmugMug & Google Photos