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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!

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

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spent a summer on the Maine coast and now every ot spent a summer on the Maine coast and now every other place has to file a complaint 🌊🌲🦞⛵️
Everyone shows up to Airport Mesa with a tripod an Everyone shows up to Airport Mesa with a tripod and a plan. I showed up late as usual, sprinting to beat the sun ☀️ 

Went the wrong way on the trail, realized the sun was not going to wait for me, and full-on trail-ran the last stretch to catch it.

Made it with purple cheeks and maybe four minutes to spare. Sat down, tried to look like I hadn’t just hauled it up a mesa, watched the rocks go orange.

10/10. Would panic-jog again.

Save this for your Sedona list 📍 and send it to whoever you’d absolutely make run for a sunset
Acadia is one of the most dog-friendly national pa Acadia is one of the most dog-friendly national parks in the country, but most “dog-friendly” lists will absolutely let you drive two hours to a trailhead only to find a sign that says nope.
Not on my watch.

Loki, Freya, and Caly road-tested these over six months living near Bar Harbor, and every Paw Score factors in shade, terrain, water access, leash rules, and whether your dog will actually have a good time, not just whether they’re technically allowed to suffer through it.

A few favorites: Ship Harbor for any age pup, Wonderland for a sunset that’ll make you feel things, and Little Long Pond just outside the park where they can finally go OFF-leash and live out their wolf fantasies.

Save this for your next Maine trip 🐾

Which trail would your pack pick first? 🌲
Fortunately, none of this will be changing 🌲☀️ Fortunately, none of this will be changing 🌲☀️
This is the whole personality 🔥🥃🐾 This is the whole personality 🔥🥃🐾
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