Cades Cove Survey Results

Three surveys were conducted from July 27 through August 2, 2005 as input to the planning process. During this period a total of 879 visitors were surveyed to yield the following key results:

• Visitor satisfaction remains high among Cades Cove visitors. The average rating by Exit Survey and Visitor Diary respondents on a scale of 1 to 10 was 9.4. The majority of visitors said they appreciate the atmosphere, rustic feel and slow pace of Cades Cove.
  
• Although some Exit Survey respondents indicated their enjoyment was impacted by various negative factors, only a small percentage indicated it would impact their decision to visit. For example, 31% of survey respondents said they were impacted by traffic conditions, but only 3% said it would affect their decision to visit again.
  
• Potential visitors to Cades Cove appear to be deterred from visiting by time constraints (impact to other planned trip activities) more than any other reason. When Not-in-Cades Cove Survey respondents who had decided not to visit Cades Cove were asked the reason, 59% said they did not have enough time. 8% said it was too far, 8% said there was too much traffic, 6% said Cades Cove does not offer anything they are interested in, 6% said they had visited before, and 5% said they did not know about Cades Cove.
  
• There seem to be at least three “types” of visitors to Cades Cove. One “type” drives the loop, visits cabins and churches, and enjoys a broad sampling of what the Cove has to offer. A second “type” goes to the Cove to recreate (hike or bike). The third “type” visits the Cove either early in the morning or late at night specifically for wildlife viewing (predominantly locals and campers).
  
• At the high, but not peak, visitation levels during the survey period, 45% of Exit Survey respondents said they felt conditions were crowded, but comfortable. Less than 1% said they felt crowded and uncomfortable. Responses about crowding were more prevalent in the afternoons, which is consistent with Cove peak arrival period between 11:00am and noon. The most crowded areas were identified as areas with wildlife, churches and roads.
  
• 75% of Exit Survey respondents, both repeat and first-time visitors, said they felt being able to visit Cades Cove whenever they wanted was more important than being able to visit without encountering traffic and crowds.
  
• The average length of stay at Cades Cove reported by Visitor Diary respondents was 3 hours and 11 minutes. On average, respondents reported they stopped 5.3 times at cabins, churches and scenic overlooks with paved parking, left their vehicles .7 times at wayside stops, and experienced 1.7 traffic delays, primarily due to wildlife sightings.
  
• The majority of Exit Survey respondents felt there are enough interpretive opportunities at Cades Cove—only 14% said they did not felt there were not enough opportunities. There was a lot of positive feedback on the talk at Primitive Baptist Church, historic reenactments at Cable Mill and the working gristmill.

Survey Description

Survey Respondent Demographics

VERP