Proximity of Cades Cove to Maryville Area (Lenoir City, Friendsville: camping, move)

[MaNoWa]

Thinking of camping at Cade's Cove in a couple of weeks. However, our main objective is to check out the Maryville area for a possible move and want to look as far west as Lenoir City, Louden and then mainly cities to the south and east of Maryville within about a 30 mile radius.

On the map, it looks like a hop, skip and a jump...even looking at the distance estimator. But in reality, is this going to be difficult for us to do or should it be fairly easy to check the area out from that "home base"?

I know there are other camp sites close to Lenoir City and Friendsville but we really like the idea of camping in the Great Smokey Moutains Nat'l Park. It is the only camp site in that area that takes reservations or has availability...at least at this moment.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Beretta]

The time depends on where you are in Maryville to tell you how far it is to Cades Cove. You can make it in 25-45 minutes. It is an easy and pleasurable drive traveling through Townsend.

[TedTLPN]

I bolt down to the park at a moments notice, never takes too long.

[creeksitter]

But be warned - the cades cove loop can become a massive traffic jam - especially if there's a "bear jam".

There is ALWAYS camping available at look rock campground and it is extremely close to Maryville on the foothills parkway at Montvale road.

[MaNoWa]

Ahhhh! Things Mapquest & Google don't tell you

Thanx!

[lochmoigh]

Is the loop open? I though they were paving it?

[Badbird2000]

Nope, it opened about a week early according to schedule... that was several weeks ago.