Biking is a great option for sightseeing and transportation in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You will also sneak in some exercise at the same time. It is especially great on Wednesdays during the summer (May 4- Sept 28) when the road is closed to vehicular traffic. And whenever you go, if you plan to do the Cades Cove loop, it is a massive traffic jam. Biking will help you feel closer to nature and avoid the traffic, too.
Are You Ready for a Cades Cove Bike Day?
Biking in the park is simple and scenic. But it’s good to know a few things in advance as you plan your trip. We’ve compiled some information to help make your bike day smooth riding.
Cades Cove Bike Rental for Biking in the Smoky Mountains
If you don’t have a bicycle or didn’t bring one on your trip, we definitely recommend renting one. We think one of the best ways to see the park is by bicycle, and you shouldn’t miss out just because you didn’t bring your bike with you. Bikes are rented through the park system and are fairly reasonably priced. We think it’s worth it, even if you have to pay to rent.
Cades Cove Trading Company rents a wide selection of cruiser bikes. They have bikes for all ages, adults, and children. The 2022 rental rate is $15 per hour or $60 per day, for adults. Kids 15 and under are $10 per hour. And they do offer group rates if you’re coming with 4 or more people be sure to ask about a group discount.
A few notes about bike rental:
- All bikes rented on a first-come, first-served basis
- Last rentals go out no later than 3 pm
- 48-hour cancellation notice required
- On Wednesdays, bike rentals start at 7 am (and will often be sold out by 8:30 am)
- Seasonal discounts are available during March and November
- Helmets are included in your rental
Ebikes in Cades Cove
Many RVers have Ebikes to get around now. And you may wonder- are electric bikes allowed in the Smoky Mountains? Good news: Yes! Ebikes are allowed in Great Smoky Mountains National Park anywhere regular bikes are allowed. So bring your bicycle or your ebike when you visit the Smokies.
Cades Cove Bike Day
Great Smoky National Park is the most visited national park in the country, with over ten million visitors per year. And the Cades Cove loop is one of the most popular destinations in the park. This one-way loop must be shared by cars, bicycles, and pedestrians. You can imagine this will result in heavy traffic. Bicycles are better, but bicycles on Wednesdays are the best! Plan your trip accordingly.
On this 11-mile paved loop, you’ll pass by historic homes and churches, beautiful views, and probably some wildlife (black bears!). This loop provides access to many hiking trailheads as well, so you may encounter hikers or runners on the loop, trying to access the trailheads.
Depending on your fitness level, you can do the standard 11-mile loop, or you can cut off at Sparks Lane for a 4-mile loop, or Hyatt Lane for an 8-mile loop. The cut-offs will mean some dirt road travel, but still plenty suitable for biking.
Pro-tip: the NPS Visitor Center is located halfway around the loop in the Cable Mill historic area if you need a restroom or some guidance.
Camping in Cades Cove
If you want to stay longer than just the day in Cades Cove, the park service operates Cades Cove Campground year-round. This 159-site campground offers space for tents and RVs up to 35 feet. You can make reservations on recreation.gov and all sites are $25.
Reservations can be made from May 15 through October 31 each year. And reservations are accepted up to 6 months in advance. First-come-first-served camping is only available from November through April.
Staying inside the park means you get to experience the quiet of the morning and evening when the rest of the visitors aren’t around. It’s definitely a special experience, we highly recommend it if you can get a reservation. While we love spontaneity, the Smokies are a trip best planned in advance to have the optimal experience.
When Will We See You Biking in the Smoky Mountains?
We hope these articles about using your body to move through some top tourist destinations can make it seem possible to keep exercising while RVing. We know that many new RVers or potential RVers worry about the ability to incorporate fitness on the road.
We’re here to support you in a healthy RV lifestyle. And honestly, some of our favorite travel workouts are getting out and exploring the place we’re visiting. Biking in the Smokies is definitely up there as one of our top sightseeing workouts. We hope you enjoy it too!
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