Orientation Shelter
Parking and information on the valley's attractions.
Plan Around Orientation Shelter
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Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Orientation Shelter Details
The Orientation Shelter at the beginning of the Cades Cove Loop Road has parking and information on the valley's attractions and auto touring. An exhibit shows how the Appalachian Mountains were formed 240 million years ago, and how erosion and tectonic action have altered the landscape since. This also is a great place to park if you want to explore Cades Cove on foot or by bicycle. You can rent bikes at the Cades Cove Campground store, which is just outside the Cades Cove entrance.
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
Region
Cades Cove
Nearby Parks Around Orientation Shelter
Compare nearby parks around Orientation Shelter when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Orientation Shelter
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Orientation Shelter while the map context is still fresh.
0.0 mi away
Cades Cove Area
Relatively accessible area for disabled visitors.
0.0 mi away
Cades Cove Area
Imagine a living-history museum like Colonial Williamsburg on a grand scale.
0.0 mi away
Cades Cove Road
Excellent place for wildlife viewing including white-tailed deer, black bear, coyote, and wild turkey.
0.1 mi away
Escaping the Crowds
Cades Cove attracts more than two million visitors annually.
