Cades Cove Loop Lope

The Cades Cove Loop Lope is the only organized run within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, supporting Friends of the Smokies. Proceeds aid park conservation initiatives, including historic preservation, wildlife protection, and native plant restoration. The event caps participation at 750 runners and registers quickly. Carpooling is emphasized to optimize involvement, with a limited number of vehicle passes available for purchase, often selling out rapidly. Participants lacking passes are encouraged to carpool with passholders or use the group transport from Townsend Visitors Center, which includes an accessible shuttle service.