Walk to John Oliver Cabin

This 0.3-mile (0.5-km) roundtrip walk begins at the parking area for the John Oliver Cabin.

M. Timothy Photo

Overview

Explore the scenery of Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the historic John Oliver Cabin and homesite along this short, 0.3-mile (0.5-km) path well-graded for wheelchairs and strollers. The trailhead sets out from a parking area along Cades Cove Loop Road, and the trail gives way to level packed gravel once it reaches the complex of log structures.

The John Oliver Cabin is the oldest of the historic structures preserved in Cades Cove. John Oliver, Lucretia Oliver, and their young daughter Mary “Polly” arrived and began settling in Cades Cove in 1818. Generations of Olivers lived on the homestead until the park was established more than a hundred years later.

Length

0.3 miles (0.5 km) roundtrip

Parking

John Oliver Cabin parking area on the Cades Cove Loop Road

Nearest Restroom

Cades Cove Picnic Area before entering the one-way loop road

Additional restrooms available past John Oliver Cabin on the one-way Cades Cove Loop Road at the Cades Cove Visitor Center roughly halfway through the loop

Alternate Hikes

• Walk the Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail Loop: 0.5 miles (0.8 km) roundtrip
• Hike the Oconaluftee River Trail: 3 miles (4.8 km) roundtrip

Details

Activity

Hiking

Pets Allowed

No

The Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River Trail are the only two park trails where pets are permitted. Pets are also allowed in picnic areas, in campgrounds, and on roads.

Activity Fee

Yes

A parking tag is required to park in the Smokies for more than 15 minutes.

Reservations

No

Accessibility Information

Trail is almost entirely paved and mostly flat. It gives way to level packed gravel once it reaches the cabin.