Cades Cove is a broad, mountain-ringed valley in Great Smoky Mountains National Park — the most-visited national park in the country. An 11-mile one-way loop circles it, past open pastures grazed by deer and black bears and a remarkable collection of preserved 19th-century cabins, churches, and a working mill.

Good to know: The loop is closed to cars every Wednesday from May through September (walk/bike only), and a parking tag is required anywhere in the park. Expect slow traffic — that’s part of the deal.