5 Dog-Friendly Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina isn’t known to be particularly dog-friendly. The park has its reasons for that, and I’ll share why later in this article. But there are actually a handful of fun dog-friendly things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park that may surprise some of you!

So are dogs allowed in Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Yes, they are. In certain areas! I’ll reveal which ones.

In this article, I will share with you 5 dog-friendly activities in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, why the park prohibits dogs on most hiking trails, and other parks in the area that are more dog-friendly.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on the links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own. Thanks so much for your support!

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK AT A GLANCE

Before diving in, here are a few highlights for planning a trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Getting There: The closest airport to Great Smoky Mountains is McGhee Tyson, which is about 1 hour and 15 minutes from the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Find affordable flights here.
Entrance Fee: No entrance fee but you do have to purchase and display a parking pass.
Where to Stay: Camp in the park or stay right outside the park in the town of Gatlinburg, Townsend, or Cherokee.
How to Get Around: You’ll need to rent a personal vehicle to get around the Smokies.
Best Time to Visit: March – October
How Long to Visit: 3-5 days

Table of Contents

5 Dog-Friendly Activities In Great Smoky Mountains

dog friendly trails in great smoky mountains national park

1. Go Camping

Dogs are allowed at all ten frontcountry campgrounds in the park! One of my favorite things to do with my dogs in the summer is to take them camping. They love walking the campground loops, lounging around the campsite, swimming in the rivers, and watching all the neighbor dogs walk by.

During your stay at the Great Smoky Mountains campgrounds, you can walk your dogs around the road loops, hang out at your campsite, and even venture to some of the dog-friendly hiking trails in the park. (I’ll mention those later!)

girl and dog sitting in helinox zero chair at elkmont campground campsite

Dog-Friendly Great Smoky Mountains Campgrounds

Abrams Creek – Seasonal
Balsam Mountain – Seasonal
Big Creek – Seasonal
Cades Cove – Year-round
Catalooche – Seasonal
Cosby – Seasonal
Deep Creek – Seasonal
Elkmont – Seasonal
Look Rock – Seasonal
Smokemont – Year-round

2. Hike The Gatlinburg Trail

The Gatlinburg Trail is one of two dog-friendly trails in Great Smoky Mountains. The trail begins behind the Sugarlands Visitor Center.

To get to the trailhead, park at the Sugarlands Visitor Center. In between the visitor center and the restrooms building, you will see a sign that says “nature trail.” Follow the sign by heading straight, past the restrooms.

You’ll soon come to a fork in the trail indicated by a crisscrossed trailhead sign. The trails heading to the left are the Fighting Creek Nature Trail and Cataract Falls trails; dogs are not allowed on these trails. The trail that dogs are allowed on – the Gatlinburg Trail – is clearly labeled with an arrow and a sign that says “dogs.”

The Gatlinburg Trail starts on a paved sidewalk that strolls past the Park Headquarters. You’ll cross the road and begin following the river.

Then you’ll have to walk on the road for a bit. But don’t worry; this section doesn’t last long, and you aren’t walking on a main road. The road just leads to a non-public ranger station and park staff work area.

walking dog in dog friendly gatlinburg trail

So at first, I was a little timid about the road section. We even contemplated turning around because it seemed too dangerous to take our dogs on the roadway. But I’m glad we stuck it out because, after the road section, the trail grew quieter and followed the river for the rest of the way.

dog-friendly trail in great smoky mountains national park

The trail ends in the town of Gatlinburg, so it’s here where you will have to make a decision: explore Gatlinburg with your pooch or turn around and head back to the Sugarlands Visitor Center.

Learn everything you need to know to hike safely with your dog in this guide! I share how to determine your dog’s physical ability, how to figure out which trails allow dogs, what to pack, trail etiquette, pre-hike and post-hike tips, and more!

3. Explore Cades Cove

Are dogs allowed in Cades Cove? The short answer is yes!

Since dogs are allowed on all park roads, you can take your four-legged companion to Cades Cove! Drive the scenic loop with your dog in the backseat.

If you get out and stretch your legs, make sure your dog stays on the paved roads. Dogs are prohibited on hiking trails, fields, or historic buildings.

cades cove cabin in great smoky mountains national park

Also, beware of wildlife. Bears, deer, and wild turkeys frequent Cades Cove. If your dog barks at wildlife or tends to feel threatened or agitated around other animals, it’s best to stay in the car with them. You don’t want to instigate a dangerous wildlife encounter.

NOTE: If you are arriving on vehicle-free Wednesdays in the summer (the first week of May through the last week of September), you are allowed to walk with your dog along the road in Cades Cove. Just remember, you are not allowed to take your dog on hiking trails, fields, or inside historic buildings. Stay on the paved or gravel road the entire time.

4. Have A Picnic

Dogs are allowed at all picnic areas in the park! So after a nice hike in the park or a drive through Cades Cove, you can find a shady spot by a river and enjoy a picnic lunch.

chimney tops picnic area in the smokies in the fall

Dog-Friendly Picnic Areas

Big Creek – Seasonal
Cades Cove – Year-round
Chimneys – Seasonal
Collins Creek – Seasonal
Cosby – Seasonal
Deep Creek – Year-round
Greenbrier – Year-round
Heintooga – Seasonal
Look Rock – Seasonal
Metcalf Bottoms – Year-round
Twin Creeks – Seasonal

Which side of the Smokies is better? Tennessee or North Carolina? Find out here!

5. Hike The Oconaluftee River Trail

Of the two dog-friendly hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this one is my favorite! The trail begins behind the Oconaluftee Visitor Center.

To get to the trailhead, park at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. In between the restrooms and the visitor center, follow the paved sidewalk until you see a trailhead sign by the river. Just like the Gatlinburg Trail, the Oconaluftee River Trail is clearly signed. Follow the “dogs” and Oconaluftee River Trail sign by veering right at the junction.

The trail meanders past a field littered with historic buildings, but dogs are not allowed in that area. Make sure you stick to the paved trail.

Once you pass the historic buildings, you’ll become nestled in trees, and the paved path will turn to dirt. The entire trail is very scenic; it follows the Oconaluftee River. We spotted lots of wildlife along the way! Elk were grazing on the trail, in the grass around the trail, and in the open field near the historic buildings.

elk on trail in great smoky mountains national park

The trail follows the Oconaluftee River until it ends in Cherokee. Cherokee is a cute little tourist town that is much less overwhelming than Gatlinburg. I encourage you to walk around if you have time! If not, you can turn around and head back to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center.

DON’T FORGET: You need to display a parking pass on your vehicle any time you’re in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You can read all about the Park It Forward program here.

Why Are Dogs Prohibited On Most Great Smoky Mountains Hiking Trails?

Great Smoky Mountains has prohibited dogs since the park was first established in the 1930s for these reasons:

Dogs can infect the wildlife population with diseases.
Dogs’ scents can attract predators, which can snowball into changes in wildlife’s behavior patterns.
Dogs can chase and threaten wildlife.
Dogs can bark, disturbing the natural environment.
Dogs (and dog owners) can become prey to coyotes and bears.

Nearby Dog-Friendly Parks

Some public lands outside of the Smokies offer a wider variety of outdoor recreation for you and your four-legged friend.

Here are some nearby parks that are very dog-friendly:

Nantahala National Forest
Pisgah National Forest
Cherokee National Forest
Chattahoochee National Forest
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
Mount Rodgers National Recreation Area

Want to know which National Parks are the MOST dog-friendly? Find out here!

Pet Essentials for a Dog-Friendly Hike in the Smoky Mountains

Retractable leash
Harness
Doggie first aid kit
Portable dog water bottle – These are amazing!
Food and a collapsible bowl
Poop bags

Plan Your Trip to the Smokies!

Planning a trip to the Smokies has never been easier! Find out the best things to do and exactly what you can expect in each season, including crowds, temperatures, closures, and conditions, by reading my guides!