Cable Mill area in Cades Cove

The Cable Mill Area Visitor's Center is stop #11, and is the halfway point on the Cades Cove loop road. This is the site of the Cades Cove Visitor Center. Rangers there can give you information about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There is a gift shop, restrooms, gift shop and several historic buildings. I almost always spend too much money here on books, handcrafted soap and other locally made products.

Look to your left as you enter the visitor center. A display of brochures is right beside the door. The rack holds information on the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cades Cove and wildlife. If you don't find what you're looking for, then ask a ranger. I've always found them to be helpful.

This mill is the only one in Cades Cove to use an overhead waterwheel to grind flour. The waterwheel also powered a lumber mill. This meant that houses could be constructed from lumber instead of logs and quickly changed the way homes were built here. A blacksmith shop was added later on, turning it into a "one stop shop" for the people who lived here.

Speaking of stopping... The visitor's area is one of two restrooms in Cades Cove. You won't have another chance until you get to the campground just off the end of the loop.

The next stop is the Henry Whitehead Place. Turn right onto the two way road as you exit the Cable Mill Area Visitor's Center. The Henry Whitehead Place is about a mile ahead of you on the left, after you make the turn.