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May 19, 2025

Paws on the Trail: The Best Dog-Friendly Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains

Planning a trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park with your furry friend? While many trails restrict dogs, the Smokies still offer several dog-friendly hikes and scenic drives perfect for adventurous pups and their humans. From easy riverside walks on the Oconaluftee River Trail to scenic drives like Cades Cove Loop Road and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, this guide covers the best pet-friendly trails and outdoor experiences to help you explore the Smokies together. Discover insider tips, local spots, and must-visit places to make your Smoky Mountains dog adventure unforgettable!

July 27, 2021

11 Must See Waterfalls In The Smokies

Looking for a waterfall hike in the Smokies? Check out these 11 Must See Waterfalls In Great Smoky Mountains…

July 3, 2021

11 Fun Adventures In North Maine Woods

North Maine Woods is not really like anywhere else I’ve ever been, in a very cool way…

May 25, 2021

10 Can’t Miss Dog Friendly Hikes at Acadia

5 hikes that you really don’t want to miss the next time you take your pups to Acadia National Park…

May 1, 2021

Rocky Mountain National Park Bucket List

Rocky Mountain National Park is a total gem! If you want to see Colorado at its best, Rocky Mountain National Park should be on your list. But what should you do? I’ve got you, here are the top 10 things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park…

February 20, 2021

Is Acadia National Park Dog Friendly?

Is Acadia National Park Dog Friendly? Find out here along with 12 fun things to do with pups at Acadia…

August 10, 2020

One Day in Cherokee, North Carolina

Don’t skip Cherokee, North Carolina on your next trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park…

Hi! I'm Vanessa, a 30 something, sunset chasing traveler. I'm here to inspire you to travel wherever, whenever, and with whoever you can. My Huskies, Loki and Freya are usually along for the ride. I have a soul that likes to wander, a desire to experience the unknown, and a curiousity to discover things off the beaten path. I hope you'll stick around for awhile!

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Recent Posts

  • The Best Things To Do In Camden, Maine
  • 6 Best Dog-Friendly National Parks to Visit This Winter
  • Wildlife Watching in Cades Cove: Your Complete Animal Guide
  • Paws on the Trail: The Best Dog-Friendly Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains
  • The 15 Best Hikes In Utah

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I’m not saying kayaking down a river with manatees I’m not saying kayaking down a river with manatees could heal me but I am saying I felt nothing but peace for an entire morning and that’s basically the same thing.

We went on a morning paddle with @tnthideaway and had a great time! This isn’t animal tourism and it’s not a place where they bate animals into coming close, they just know the river well. It was just Brian and I on our tour, which was awesome. 

Wakulla Springs stays in the 60’s year-round which means when it gets cold, the manatees show up. We weren’t sure we’d see them this far north in Florida.

We were wrong. Gloriously wrong.

📍 Wakulla Springs, FL

👋 Hi, I’m Vanessa @thewellwornshoes - a full-time RVer chasing National Parks, dog-friendly trails, and golden hour from the road! I share the hidden gems and real side of life so you can skip the guesswork and get straight to the adventure!
There’s something about floating down the Wakulla There’s something about floating down the Wakulla River that feels like slipping into a dream. 

Spanish moss dripping overhead. Bird song as you drift. A moment of calm that transports you back in time. And if you’re lucky… gentle giants gliding beneath you. 🐚

We paddled the Wakulla River with @tnthideaway and it was just the 2 of us on our morning tour. These guys know the river so well and there is nothing gimmicky or guaranteed. 

No crowds. No chaos. Just you and the wild of Florida.

Save this for your Florida bucket list ✨
📍 Wakulla Springs State Park

👋 Hi, I’m Vanessa @thewellwornshoes - a full-time RVer chasing National Parks, dog-friendly trails, and golden hour from the road! I share the hidden gems and real side of life so you can skip the guesswork and get straight to the adventure!
🎺 Love is in the air…and it’s loud. That’s an elk 🎺 Love is in the air…and it’s loud.
That’s an elk bugle echoing across Trail Ridge Road, equal parts romance ballad and intimidation tactic.

He’s telling every other bull to back off…and every cow that he’s the main character.

👉 During rut (September–October), these guys are amped up. Keep your distance (at least 25 yards, more if you can). 

They may look chill, but nothing says “bad day in the park” like being charged by 700 pounds of antlered attitude.

This is one of my favorite sounds 🔊🔊🔊
Some days your brain just needs a soft place to la Some days your brain just needs a soft place to land…even if it’s only for ten seconds.

So here’s a tiny escape to the shoreline - waves lapping, gulls drifting, and the kind of quiet that makes your shoulders drop without you realizing it. 🌊

It’s funny how a few seconds of ocean sound can trick your whole nervous system into believing life just got a little lighter.
And honestly? I’ll take it.

Where’s your mental getaway spot lately?
After living in Acadia for six months, I can say t After living in Acadia for six months, I can say this with confidence: you haven’t fully experienced Acadia until you’ve driven the Schoodic Peninsula at sunset.

Schoodic is quieter. Wilder. Less polished in the best way. The road hugs the coastline, the spruce trees lean toward the water, and the granite feels untouched, like it hasn’t been posing for postcards all day. 

No traffic jams. No fighting for parking. Just ocean air, slow curves, and that golden Maine light doing what it does best.

And sunset here? Different. The light lingers. The sky softens. The water turns steel-blue and rose all at once. It’s the kind of drive where you roll the windows down, stop talking mid-sentence, and realize this is exactly why you came to Maine in the first place.

If you want Acadia without the crowds, but with all the magic, Schoodic is it. Come for the sunset drive. Stay for the calm. Leave wondering why more people don’t make the extra hour.

Save this for your Maine trip + tell me - are you a sunrise or sunset person?
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