National Parks can be tricky when you travel with dogs. I always try to bring Loki and Freya with me as often as I can. However, before we take off on any good road trip, I make sure there is plenty for the pups to do. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is not what I would call the most dog friendly National Park. D
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Know Before You Go: Great Smoky Mountains Pup Edition
- As is the case with most National Park’s dogs are allowed to be in your car, campgrounds, picnic areas, and along roads but must be kept on a 6 foot (max) leash at all times. Honestly, they are only permitted on two trails that are inside the park and great for the pups.
- Service dogs are the exception to this rule. NPS does suggest that you check with a ranger before hiking on trails to make sure there is no known bear activity.
- There are a few
dog friendly trails inside the park that also offer some surprisingly beautiful scenery. And if you get a little creative it’s easy enough to keep the pups entertained.
Check Out: Is Great Smoky Mountains Dog Friendly?
What To Pack For The Pups
- Extra Tags (in case of loss)
- Rabies Vaccine – General Vet Records/Vaccine Records
- Leashes
- Harnesses
- Hammock Seat Cover
- Dog Seat Belts
- Crate/Kennel
- Food & Water Bowls
- Food & Extra Water
- Care Products – I always bring Benadryl, Famotidine, Nose & Paw Ointment
- Dog First Aid Kit
- Poop Bags (and please use them) And THIS handy little thing
- Treats
- Towels (esp if you have messy dogs like mine)
- Backpack
- Collapsible Water Bowl
Need A FREE Printable Packing Checklist For The Pups?
Let’s get into these amazing options for some dog friendly adventures in Great Smoky Mountains…
The Best Dog Friendly Hikes In The Smokies
The Gatlinburg Trail
- Distance: 3.8 miles
- Rating: Easy
- Elevation Gain: 164 ft
This trail was one of Loki’s favorites and it was the closest to my Airbnb. I took Loki for a walk on The Gatlinburg Trail here every day of my trip. The trail is flat and a 1.9-mile walk one way. It runs through the forest beside the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River.
Loki loved playing in the water and swimming because it was a balmy 95 degrees and my little husky man was hot! Another pretty cool feature of this trail was the foundations and chimneys of several old homesites.
Tips –
- There is a Great Smoky Mountains National Park sign right off the Gatlinburg Trail that is a great photo op for you and your pups!
- This is one of two, dog-friendly trails in the park, anyone who travels with their pups tend to flock here
- Be careful if your dog isn’t friendly with other dogs
- Make sure to clean up after your pets on any trails within the park. I highly recommend this system and this so that you don’t have to carry the bags in your hands! haha
Honest Opinion:
This is a really nice trail for being close to bustling downtown Gatlinburg. Keep in mind that the trailhead parking gets full at certain times of the day. Plus, everyone else to stays close to Gatlinburg that brings their dogs with undoubtedly is on this trail. If your pup(s) aren’t friendly with dogs or people then this probably isn’t the trail for you. If your dog(s) are friendly then this is a great option if you are staying near Gatlinburg.
Oconaluftee River Trail
- Distance: 3.1 miles
- Rating: Easy
- Elevation Gain: 52 ft
Onconaluftee is on the North Carolina side of the park. Great Smoky Mountains is essentially divided into the Tennessee side and the North Carolina side. On my June 2020 visit to the Smokies, I was able to take Loki to check out this 1.5-mile one-way Oconaluftee River Trail.
I didn’t realize that the Oconaluftee River Trail actually starts at the Visitor Center. I actually checked with the Rangers to make sure that Loki would be ok to walk the trail. Turns out that dogs are permitted on the trail but not inside the Mountain Farm Museum and exhibits. This gives you and the pups plenty of space to stretch your legs and take in the beautiful river.
Loki really liked the river and bonus: if you are into fly fishing you can fish here! Much like fishing in Cherokee, you can purchase permits here. Loki and I spotted some people fly fishing and the water looked great.
Tips:
- The elk hang out in the fields next to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center pretty often. If you spend a decent amount of time checking out Cherokee (closed right now but the visitor center and trail are still open) you have a pretty good chance of spotting the elk.
- The elk rut is in September and you are more likely to see the elk herd then.
- June is when elk calves can be seen (all the heart eyes).
- Make sure to keep your pups away from elk!
Honest Opinion:
This is a great trail! But be aware that this Visitor Center is almost always crowded. Most people walk the trail after stopping at the Visitor Center so if your pup has issues with other dogs or people this may not be the right spot for you. If they are friendly then they will love the water, all of the people, and saying Hi! to other pups!
Mingo Falls
- Distance: .3 miles
- Rating: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 98 ft
Loki and I, (and our friend Thor) took this very short “hike” on a scorching September afternoon (90+ degrees Fahrenheit). First off, let’s start with the fact that Mingo Falls is known as Big Bear Falls in the Cherokee language. Sorry, that’s just so much cooler.
This trail is .4 miles, and most would assume it’s an easy hike. Don’t get me wrong, it’s definitely not a HARD trail but it is rated moderate because it is a straight incline that contains 161 stairs. This trail is on Cherokee tribal lands and not inside the National Park making it dog friendly.
This waterfall cascades at nearly 200 feet and is gorgeous. It’s particularly impressive after some rainfall. This hike offers a lot of bang for your buck. You don’t usually get to see a waterfall on such a short hike.
Honest Opinion:
We loved this trail and it was our favorite hike of the trip! It’s an easy trail if you don’t mind walking a lot of steps. Especially when you consider that most waterfall hikes are a lot harder than this one.
Check Out: 11 Can’t Miss Waterfalls In The Smokies, One Day In Cherokee, NC
Other Semi Dog-Friendly Options Within The Park
Cades Cove Loop Road
Cades Cove is one of the most beautiful places in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. When you drive the 1.1-mile loop road, you can bring your pet with you! Pets are not allowed along the hiking trails or in any of the historic structures, but they can ride in the car along for the Cades Cove Loop.
You can get them out to stretch their legs, get a drink, and snap some photos at the pull-offs. If you are driving through to take in the wildlife and that stunning natural beauty then your pups would love the drive! Roll the windows down and enjoy that fresh air!
Tips –
- I would not suggest bringing your pups if it’s hot or if you want to check out any of the historical structures.
- I highly recommend checking out Cades Cove at sunset for spectacular scenery and wildlife viewing. But consider yourself warned that it’s just as busy at sunset as it is during the day.
- There is a pretty decent black bear population in Cades Cove but they are not always right next to the road. It’s a great idea to bring binoculars, a spotting scope, and if you are into photography a telephoto lens!
Check Out: 14 Fun Things To Do In Cades Cove
Roaring Forks Motor Nature Trail
Similar to Cades Cove Loop Road is the Roaring Forks Motor Nature Trail. The trail is about 5.5 miles and takes about an hour to complete. That is if you get out of your car to take photos and check out the historical buildings.
Dogs cannot be inside the historical buildings but can pop out of the car for a quick potty break or photo. Roaring Forks is known as one of the best places to see wildlife (after Cades Cove, of course).
Tip –
- I highly recommend checking out Roaring Forks Motor Nature Trail at sunrise. There was not another person on the entire nature trail and I had it all to myself. I also got to see this gorgeous sunrise and a bobcat!
Check Out: Roaring Forks: 11 Reasons To Visit
If you are looking for more dog-friendly options, CLICK HERE FOR THIS POST, and head an hour southeast of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A few suggestions: Cherokee, NC, Nantahala National Forest, and Pisgah National Forest.
While Great Smoky Mountains National Park isn’t the most dog-friendly place the huskies and I have ever been, if you get a little creative there are options to keep both you and the pups happy! So check out one (or more) of the best dog friendly hikes in the Smokies.
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