Cades Cove is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And for good reason! The scenic 11-mile loop road takes you past historic homesteads, rushing streams, and majestic mountains. It's no wonder that this place is teeming with wildlife! Here's a quick guide to some of the animals you might see on your next visit to Cades Cove.

The white-tailed deer is the most common large mammal in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. These gentle creatures are most active at dawn and dusk, so keep your eyes peeled for them while driving through Cades Cove. If you're lucky enough to spot a deer, be sure to give it plenty of space. Don't approach it or try to feed it, as this can be dangerous for both you and the deer. Just enjoy the sighting from a distance!

Although black bears are shy by nature, they are still wild animals and should be treated with caution. If you're lucky enough to see a black bear while visiting Cades Cove, never approach it or attempt to feed it. Instead, enjoy the sighting from afar and snap a few photos (from a safe distance, of course). Remember: A fed bear is a dead bear!

The wild turkey is one of the most popular birds in North America. These magnificent creatures can often be seen strutting their stuff in Cades Cove. Keep your eyes peeled for their telltale tail fan as they go about their day searching for food. And if you're lucky enough to spot a male turkey, you might get to see him do his famous courtship dance!

Cades Cove is one of the best places in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to see wildlife in its natural habitat. From white-tailed deer and wild turkeys to black bears, there's no shortage of fascinating animals to spot during your visit. Just remember to give all the animals plenty of space and never try to feed them. Enjoy your time in Cades Cove and happy animal spotting!