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Planning Process

Public Involvement

The level valley and rich, fertile soils made the cultivation of corn a primary staple of Cove families. The fields, forests and streams provided food sources such as bear, venison, quail, rabbit and fish. Quickly the farmers learned the advantages of taking their cattle to the "grassy balds" (peaks well below the timberline that are "bald" except for grass and shrubs) on the mountaintops overlooking the Cove, which opened up land in the valley for further cultivation.

The collection of late 19th century settlement architecture and abundant wildlife easily visible across the open meadows attract millions of people to the Cove each year. The Cove was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, recognizing its aggregation of 30 structures at 10 sites (the largest such collection in the United States) representing the early settlement and vernacular architecture of the Smoky Mountain region.

Touring the Loop Road in a private vehicle is the primary recreational activity of most Cove visitors. Today, during peak periods, more than 4,000 vehicles enter the Cove each day to travel the 11-mile Loop Road that follows the contours of the Cove's mountain valley terrain.