Top 7 Sights in Cades Cove TN You Have to See

June 11, 2020

Cades Cove TN is known for having several historic stops along the road. There are plenty of sights you’ll want to check out, from churches to a waterfall! You won’t want to miss out on any of these beautiful areas. Here are the top 7 sights in Cades Cove TN you have to see:

1. John Oliver Cabin

The John Oliver Cabin is one of the most popular stops along the Loop. The parking area to get to this cabin is right past Sparks Lane. The walk to the cabin is about 5 minutes from the road. John Oliver and his wife were some of the first permanent settlers in the area in the 1820s. Members of their family still lived in the cabin when the land it stands on was deemed the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

2. Abrams Falls

Abrams Falls is a waterfall you can get to by taking the Cades Cove Loop. The hike is 5 miles roundtrip and considered moderate. It’s a great day hike, and you’ll walk alongside the river until you reach the falls. It stands at 20 feet tall, but the amount of water that rushes over the side is impressive. This waterfall was named after a Cherokee chief.

3. Missionary Baptist Church

The Missionary Baptist Church was actually founded because of conflict at the Primitive Baptist Church. It was established in 1841, but since there was no building at the time, the members alternated meeting at different houses. A building was finally built in 1894, and membership grew from 40 to 100 members.

4. Cable Mill

A really popular stop in Cades Cove TN is the John P. Cable grist mill. It was built in 1867 to bring flour and cornmeal to the residents of Cades Cove. It was also used to mill lumber. There were about 7 mills in the area at one time, but this is one of the last grist mills. It actually still works!

5. Primitive Baptist Church

The Primitive Baptist Church was established in 1827. It was one of the first three churches in Cades Cove, and it eventually split because of different interpretations of missionary work, Sunday School, and temperance societies. Until 1832, members of the church met in each other’s homes. The building was rebuilt in 1887.

6. Cantilever Barn

One of the most popular structures in Cades Cove is the cantilever barn. It is a unique design, where the overhang is much wider than the base. This is a popular design in Sevier County, but it hasn’t really been seen anywhere else. The loft was used for storage, and the lower area was where livestock was kept. Animals would stand under the overhang during snow or rain.

7. Methodist Church

The third church you can see is the Methodist Church. You can go inside and see old church pews and a piano. There are over 100 graves behind the church. During the civil war, the Methodist Church also experienced a split based on different interpretations of religious beliefs.

Want to know what you should do with your family when you visit Cades Cove? Here are some family friendly things to do when you visit Cades Cove!

These are just a few of the sights you can see in Cades Cove TN. Want to take your whole family to Cades Cove but aren’t sure what to do? Here are the top family friendly things to do in Cades Cove. Since you know you want to visit Cades Cove, you just need a place to stay. Look through our Smoky Mountain cabin rentals and book one today!