Taking your dog to the Smoky Mountains? There are several pet friendly hotels in Gatlinburg, which make the town a great home base for exploring the park and surrounding areas with your pooch. And there is certainly lots of exploring to be done here, especially if you're an outdoor enthusiast.
In the Smoky Mountains, you can enjoy downhill skiing, Class IV whitewater rafting, horseback riding, tubing, bicycling, golf, and more than 600 miles of trails. But if you're looking forward to hiking with your dog in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you'll be disappointed to hear that only two of the trails (the Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River Trail) allow pets. And both of them are actually more of a short walking path than a trail.
Don't cancel your trip yet though! The park allows pets in all campgrounds, picnic areas, parking lots and roads, and there are lots of public lands just outside the Smokies that do welcome pets. Plus, you'll find plenty to do in town. Kids will enjoy the unique museums, amusement parks, and miniature golf courses. But those with more refined tastes might prefer to head to the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community on Glades Road. It's an 8-mile loop of art studios and galleries where you can watch local artisans practice their craft. Just don't forget your wallet. You'll want to pick out a special painting, handmade candle, or piece of pottery while you're there.
Since pets aren't allowed on trails in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the best way to see it with your pooch is from behind the wheel. So hop in the car and roll the windows down. Your dog is gonna want to stick his head out for this!
Just 45 minutes from Gatlinburg you'll find Cades Cove. It's the most visited area of the Park, and for good reason. Cades Cove will give you a taste of everything the Smokies has to offer. Along the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road, you'll see pioneer cabins and a fully functional grist mill, more than 1,500 kinds of flowering plants, and an abundance of wildlife including deer, black bears, and wild turkeys.
The Cades Cove Loop Road is open to auto, bicycle and foot traffic every day of the year from sunup to sundown with a few exceptions. Auto traffic is only allowed after 10am on Wednesday and Saturdays from May to September. Expect to spend one to two hours on the loop if you want to make a few stops along the way. Auto tour booklets are available for $1.00 at a roadside stand at the entrance to the Cades Cove Loop Road.
