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Bears, Bikes & Breathtaking Views: Our Long Weekend in Cades Cove

May 27, 2025By Wanderful Journeys
Wanderful Journeys


If you're craving a mix of mountain air, wildlife encounters, and low-key adventure, a long weekend in Cades Cove delivers all that and more. Our recent getaway to this scenic loop in Great Smoky Mountains National Park was the perfect balance of biking, hiking, campfire camaraderie, and, yes, a whole lot of cicadas.

Day 1: Waterfalls and Camp Setup

We kicked off our trip with a stop at Catawba Falls, tackling the recently restored loop trail. It’s a stair-heavy hike, and yes—we did take our shoes off to cross the creek, making it feel a little extra wild.

Upon arriving at Cades Cove campground, we set up two tents and a giant blue rain shelter (thankfully only needed briefly Friday night). Pro tip: B-loop is a great spot if you want proximity to Wi-Fi—and quick access to ice and firewood.

I realized at some point on the drive home that I forgot to take a picture of our
campsite. This is a reasonable facsimile. (Thank you, ChatGPT)
This guy was also staying at our campsite. I did not catch his name.
Luckily, LarryQ knows what he's doing, and he took a real photo of his campsite.

Day 2: Flat Tire, Big Coffee, and Bigger Bears

Friday started with a bike hiccup: a flat tire. Thankfully, Ben at Vee Hollow came to the rescue—arriving early with his friendly pup to patch things up.

Fueled by a cinnamon toast crunch cold brew and a breakfast sandwich from The Artistic Bean, I was ready to tackle the Cades Cove loop on bike. It was a hilly, humid ride, but worth it for the up-close views of deer and bears—including a baby bear in a tree!

I'm a sucker for a good, graphic hazard pictogram. It is my hope that the Wanderful Journeys photo archive will serve as a repository to memorialize these whenever and wherever we find them.

After cooling off with the insanely good “Loop Scoop” ice cream at Cades Cove Trading Co., we spent the afternoon in hammocks and welcomed our buddy "Boots", who brought cold drinks and good vibes. The day ended with a fire, wine, and great conversation.

? What WERE people sanitizing?

Day 3: Storms, Wildlife, and Waterfalls

A thunderstorm Friday night had me sleeping in the car for a bit, but Saturday morning brought perfect weather for another early ride. This time, we saw some turkeys, more bears, and took our time exploring the historic cabins and churches dotted along the loop.

Two in one trip - nice! #PunIntended

Later, we tackled the hike to Abrams Falls—a beautiful trail lined with mountain laurel. Unfortunately, midday traffic on the loop was intense, and we saw very little wildlife at that time. If you're driving, go early or late.

Dinner at Peaceful Side Social capped the day with truffle fries, sandwiches, pizza, and local brews. We also witnessed what appeared to be a major rescue effort—grateful to later hear that it ended well.

That night, our friend LarryQ hosted a campfire with s’mores and more wine, followed by a late-night stargazing and firefly trip to the loop. Magical is an understatement.

Day 4: Pizza, Ice Cream, and Back to Reality

Sunday was all about the journey home—with essential pit stops at My Father’s Pizza in Black Mountain (get the pesto chicken and white garlic pizzas!) and The Hop Ice Cream for creative flavors and a sweet end to the trip.

 Final Thoughts:

  • Mornings are the best time to bike the loop—cooler temps and way more wildlife.
  • Carpool if you can—it’s a long drive.
  • Be ready for a lot of cicadas—and possibly a bear chasing them.
  • Rain shelter = good investment.
  • Don’t miss the local eats—The Artistic Bean, Peaceful Side Social, and The Hop are worth the detour.

Cades Cove charmed us with its misty mornings, black bear sightings, and slower pace. Can’t wait to go back!