Cades Cove in GSMNP at Thanksgiving

Will it still be open? We got snow on Halloween last year in Blairsville, GA which is about 100 miles south of Cades Cove. The fall foliage will have long been gone by Thanksgiving.

Ditto the weather comments -- you have no idea what you'll get. However, there won't be any fall foliage except the very lowest elevations. That isn't necessarily a bad thing as they'll be fewer cars with FLA license plates messing up the traffic. It will be busier than you'd probably guess. T-giving is a pretty popular time for the campground and surrounding area. As to "best spots it will be 1st come - 1st served. You'll need a generator and some loops don't allow a genny.
As the weather cools down the wildlife becomes much more active. You'll see so many turkeys you'll quit being impressed. Great time to hike some trails because the views are wonderful after the leaves fall. T-giving is quite busy in the G-burg and PF so plan accordingly if thinking about eating in town.
All in all that's a great time to visit - as is any time in the Winter as the crowds finally disappear.
Echoing the other comments -- it can go from throwing the football outside in T-shirts to well below freezing in 24 hours. Pay close to attention to the weather if planning some back country hikes.

jolooote wrote:
hmmm...whats "PF"?

Sorry, usually only use that after I spell it out once before.

Pigeon forge

hmmm...whats "PF"?

As others have mentioned:
There are no hookups. If you boondock already it won't be a problem.
Fall is the busiest time of the year.
Townsend has several cg options that provide FHU.

We enjoy Cade's Cove and visit often. We have never seen it without traffic though.

It's one of my favorite campgrounds but it could be too cold for me at Thanksgiving.

I will add that you never know what the weather is going to be. We go to PF almost every Thanksgiving (used to go to the beach) since it's closer than the ocean. We have had high temps in the 70's and we have had high temps in the 30's and that's down in PF. In the mountains, it was much, much cooler.

Fall foliage is usually done in the GSMNP by early November, so you won't get too much in the way of color other than brown/gray, but it's still nice to get away and enjoy being outside.

Keep in mind that Cades Cove CG is non reserve from November 1-May 14. The better the weather, the more campers.

Also be aware that ELKMONT CAMP GROUND is only a few miles down the same SMOKY MTN PARK ROAD that feeds CADES COVE. Is same deal with NO-HOOKUPs - Only has rest rooms with water available to tote to your trailer.

Thanksgiving and FALL FOLAGE is always a busy time in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge areas...

TOWNSEND has several camp grounds as well with HOOKUPs and is on the CADES COVE side of the park. TOWNSEND is great for camping as they are not in the big hoop-la that Gatlinburg and Pigeon is so noted for.

One of my favorite camping spots...

Roy Ken