The Well Worn Shoes

Wanderlust Welcome

  • Home
  • Start Here
    • About
    • Contact
    • Work With Me
    • Disclaimer
    • Affiliate Disclaimer
  • Destinations
    • Canada
    • United States
      • Mountain States
      • North East
      • South
      • Southwest
  • National Parks
    • National Park Guides
    • Is This National Park Dog Friendly?
  • Adventures
    • One Day In
    • Bucketlist Travel
    • Dog Friendly
    • Roadtrips
    • Travel Guides
    • Hiking
  • Digital Nomad Lifestyle
    • Camper Life
    • Honest Reviews: Campgrounds
    • Digital Nomads
  • Shop

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!

November 2, 2021

The Eerie Ghost Town In The Smokies

In the lush valley, where Jake’s Creek and the Little River meet, you can find the magical Daisy Town…

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 20, 2021

Cades Cove: The Ultimate Guide to the Smokies’ Most Popular Valley

14 Fun Thing To Do In Cades Cove! Including to where to stay, where to eat, and what to do on your visit to Cades Cove…

May 11, 2021

Roaring Forks: 11 Reasons To Visit

There are so many reasons to visit Roaring Forks Motor Nature Trail on your next trip to the Smokies…

April 6, 2021

Is Great Smoky Mountains National Park Dog Friendly?

Find out if Great Smoky Mountains is dog friendly and 12 fun things to do with your pups near the 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!

Join the List

Let's be friends! I know e-mails can suck but mine won't and I promise cute pup photos too!

Connect

Recent Posts

  • Phoenix To Grand Canyon: The Ultimate Winter Road Trip Guide
  • 15 Best Dog Friendly Hikes at Acadia National Park
  • The 18 Best Things to Do in Bar Harbor, Maine
  • The Ultimate Winter Guide to the Grand Canyon
  • 2026 National Parks Guide: New Fees, Reservation Systems & Timed Entry Explained

Categories

  • Destinations
  • Tips & Tricks
  • History
  • Adventure
  • National Park Love

Reader Favorites

Roaring Forks: 11 Reasons To Visit

11 Dog Friendly Adventures At Shenandoah

The Best Lobster Rolls In Maine

On the Blog

  • Destinations
  • Tips & Tricks
  • History
  • Adventure
  • National Park Love

Join the List

The Well Worn Shoes is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Connect

Some places don’t just check a box, they shift som Some places don’t just check a box, they shift something in you. Which one is already on your list? 👇

.
#NationalParks #FindYourPark #roadtripusa  #nationalparkgeek

national parks usa · national park travel · usa travel · road trip usa · nature travel · dog friendly travel · travel inspiration · national park bucket list · outdoor travel · usa adventure · hiking usa · nature lover · public lands​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Stop going to the Grand Canyon in summer ☀️ I’m se Stop going to the Grand Canyon in summer ☀️ I’m serious! 

Snow-dusted red rocks, practically empty viewpoints, and sunrises that hit completely different when it’s 30 degrees on the rim. Don’t even get me started on the prickly pear margaritas and chilaquiles 🤤😍

This 3-4 day road trip takes you from Phoenix through Flagstaff’s ponderosa pines, down the stunning Oak Creek Canyon drive into Sedona, and finally to the South Rim. 

Winter means you can actually drive Hermit Road yourself (no shuttle needed), find parking without losing your mind, and have viewpoints practically to yourself.

The full guide is on the blog, everything from where to stop, where to eat, what to pack, and how to split your Grand Canyon visit across two days. Link in bio! 

👋 Hi, I’m Vanessa @thewellwornshoes - a millennial nomad 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 your own adventure! 

#onlyinarizona #visitarizona #roadtripusa #roadtriparizona #thewellwornshoes
Honest question: why is nobody talking about Bryce Honest question: why is nobody talking about Bryce Canyon the way they talk about Zion? 👀

Bryce Canyon at sunrise is the kind of thing that makes you forget you’re tired. The hoodoos go from grey to gold to full fire orange in minutes, and if you time it right with the Navajo Loop to Queens Garden after, you’ve just had the perfect morning in one of the most underrated parks in the country.

Sunrise Point → Navajo Loop → Queens Garden. 3 miles. 4 hours. Zero regrets.

Save this for your Utah road trip 🔖

👋 Hi, I’m Vanessa @thewellwornshoes - a millennial nomad 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 your own adventure!
I don’t plan for golden hour. I just never stop lo I don’t plan for golden hour. I just never stop looking for it. 🌅

Something about the way light moves right before it disappears makes me feel like the whole world is trying to tell you something. I don’t know what it is. I just know I’m not ready to stop chasing it.

This is my Roman Empire. This has always been my Roman Empire.

No notes. No regrets. Just light.

🌻 Save this for your next golden hour reminder.

👋 Hi, I’m Vanessa @thewellwornshoes - a millennial nomad 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 your own adventure! 

🔍 golden hour | travel aesthetic | road trip vibes
Montana sunrises and sunsets hit different ☀️🌅 I Montana sunrises and sunsets hit different ☀️🌅

I haven’t been super inspired to post lately, just being honest. But then I started scrolling through my camera roll from Montana and remembered why I do this.

These golden hours from Pray and Yellowstone had me standing outside, coffee getting cold, just…staring. No filter needed when the sky looks like that.

Sometimes just showing up and letting the light do its thing is the best thing 🧡

Save this if Montana’s on your list. You’re gonna want to chase golden hour there!!
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2026 The Well Worn Shoes · Theme by 17th Avenue