Food and trash must be completely removed at the end of each picnic. Food must be properly stored inside vehicles at other times. Drinking water is available at the picnic area, outside the campground store, and at the Cable Mill area. Hiking Many visitors enjoy either dayhikes or overnight trips. Hikers should prepare for a variety of possible weather conditions.
Weather can change quickly in the mountains and can vary significantly at different elevations.
Hikers should have comfortable walking shoes, raingear, map and compass, knife, first aid kit, flashlight, extra clothing, matches, water, and high-energy food. Back to the top of the page. Cades Cove offers a wide range of recreational opportunities in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visitors enjoy driving, camping, hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, picnicking, fishing, and more. More detailed information about some of these opportunities may be found under Cades Cove Trip Planning.