7 Dog-Friendly Things To Do in the Great Smoky Mountains

Nestled among rolling hills and misty mountain peaks, Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) is the most visited national park in the United States.

Although not home to the most dog-friendly park in the US*, the Smoky Mountains still offer various activities to keep you and your furry friend active.

From scenic drives to relaxing forest hikes, we've curated a list of some of the best dog-friendly things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains. Grab your pup, and let’s go!

*The most dog-friendly national parks we’ve visited with Lincoln include Acadia National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, and White Sands National Park. How about you? Please share your favorite dog-friendly parks in the comments below!

Our exploration of the Smoky Mountains happened by happy chance. In 2020, while pivoting our travel plans for the year, Jon had an idea to see if we could find somewhere to stay in the mountains.

It was almost May, and we’d spent two months in Virginia Beach, one month longer than we planned. We hadn’t been able to see our friends in weeks (the reason we were in Virginia Beach) and were starting to get antsy to get out of the city and the small Airbnb we were renting.

So, Jonathan hopped onto Airbnb and reached out to numerous hosts along the East Coast in hopes of finding someone who had a unit we could rent for a month or so. Rental prices in most locations were higher than usual as a result of big demand and people looking to leave large cities in the Northeast. He went for it anyway, reaching out to hosts with rentals typically out of our budget (~$10k per month) and respectfully asking if they’d be willing to do something within our budget to ensure the unit was rented for a longer period of time. As Jonathan told me, “The worst they can say is no!”

So after looking at a few different options for rentals from North Carolina to Vermont, Jon found Watershed Cabins, a cabin in the Smoky Mountains that usually rents for $10k a month. The timing of our inquiry was just right, and what we’d soon realize was our dream cabin in the mountains of North Carolina was about to become our temporary home for under $3k a month.

We saw a gorgeous, private oasis that’d be perfect for some R&R. We had no idea this cabin was also next-door to the most popular national park in the United States!

In total, we spent two summer months at our dream mountain cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains. (Fun fact: I’ve always wanted to travel somewhere and extend a stay because I was enjoying it so much. I guess I can cross this off my bucket list, though, because we technically did this with our surprise mountain getaway! We originally booked one month, then extended our stay for another.)

For the majority of our two months in the mountains, we took daily walks to an on-site waterfall, accidentally drove the Tail of the Dragons (while Jon was attempting to work from the car… yikes!), found the only two dog-friendly hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (and proceeded to hike one of them weekly), took ourselves on one of the hardest hikes we’d done up to that point (and were rewarded with one of my all-time favorite photos of Lincoln), and enjoyed many refreshing summer days at Deep Creek. We even took ourselves on a half-day Blue Ridge Parkway excursion to Asheville to pick up some of our favorite ciders!

While we didn’t intend to scope out all the Great Smoky Mountains has to offer, a happy chance booking led us to this popular, gorgeous area anyway… and we’re so glad it did! We can’t wait to go back one day to explore further and maybe even experience the magical GSMNP Firefly Phenomenon. (I want to re-experience this NC Road Trip when we do!)

Take a look at our dream mountain getaway in the pictures below, and keep reading for 7 of the best dog-friendly things to do nearby.

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If you’re looking for somewhere to stay during your Smoky Mountains getaway, here are a few options to consider.

Camping: Check out Deep Creek Tube & Campground outside the park. In GSMNP, there are 10 front-country campgrounds. Cades Cove and Smokemont Campgrounds are open year-round. Dogs on leash are allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas, and roads. Learn more about camping in GSMNP here.

Hotels: Consider Fairfield Inn & Suites in Cherokee. (Note: We’re partial to Marriott, so that’s the brand we tend to recommend when it comes to hotels. One of our top tips for planning and budgeting road trips is to take advantage of hotel loyalty programs - same with airline loyalty programs, gas programs, rental cars, etc. - so even if Marriott isn’t your choice, we recommend sticking to one brand as much as possible for the best long-term deals and offers.)

Splurge: Here’s our dream mountain cabin at Watershed Resorts. If it’s in your budget, we highly recommend Watershed Resorts! (I’m telling you, Jonathan made magic happen with this place… this is not generally in our budget, and most definitely not for a two-month stay, ha!)

Now, without further ado, here are 7 of the best dog-friendly things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains! All 7 are brought to you by Lincoln and our unexpectedly perfect two-month stay in North Carolina.

1. Hike the Gatlinburg Trail in GSNMP

The Gatlinburg Trail is one of two dog-friendly hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so let’s start here.

Starting at the Sugarlands Visitor Center, the Gatlinburg Trail is an approximately 4-mile out-and-back forest trail near Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It’s generally considered an easy, family-friendly hike with minimal elevation.

There’s not a ton to see on this hike if you’re looking for big attractions or scenic mountain vistas. But this is a relaxing, dog-friendly hike through the woods, with various creek access points, and as one of only two dog-friendly hikes in the park, it’s a great option for anyone traveling with a dog!

Note: Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers the largest protected bear habitat in the East. This means you may see the “symbol of the Smokies,” the American Black Bear, at various times throughout your visit.

Jon just about made eye contact with a bear on the Gatlinburg Trail when one walked right by us! It was off to the side of the trail, hidden by the trees, until we got close. It scared me, but the bear didn’t react to us (or Lincoln) at all.

[I may have hopped, skipped, and hurled myself and Lincoln as far away as quickly as possible… which I realize is the opposite of what you’re supposed to do in these situations… but don’t worry, I’m working on my bear reactions before our upcoming trips to Alaska and the Rockies by watching a lot of “Alone”.]

We also saw a bear during our drive to the Visitor Center, which was plenty of a bear sighting for me, but Jon spent most of his walk through the woods wishing to see one more. He got what he asked for, being just about an arm’s length away from this bear toward the end of our hike!

2. Hike the Oconaluftee River Trail in GSMNP

The second dog-friendly trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the Oconaluftee River Trail.

Starting at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and heading toward the outskirts of Cherokee, NC, this approximately 3-mile trail follows the Oconaluftee River. This relatively flat trail offers lots of river access points and is mostly shaded, making it a great summer afternoon trail for both you and your pup.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park has one of the best collections of historic buildings on the East Coast, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, and schools. Oconaluftee is one of the best places to see some of these buildings. (You’ll see them as you walk from the Visitor Center to the Oconaluftee River Trail.)

Other great places to see these buildings include Cades Cove, Cataloochee, and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. (But remember, not all of these areas will be dog-friendly.)

The Oconuftee River Trail was one of our favorite things to do during our stay in the Smoky Mountains; we visited weekly and had many fun life conversations along this trail. (You know how 2020 gave us lots of time and prompts for personal reflection? Almost all of Jon's and my reflection conversations took place while walking the Oconaluftee River Trail, so it holds a special place in my heart!)

3. Hike the Pinnacle Trail near Sylva, NC

Sylva, NC is about 20 minutes from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and here, you’ll find the challenging Pinnacle Trail.

This approximately 7.5-mile loop makes you work for it but leads to gorgeous summit views. This was a very challenging hike for Jonathan and me, but it led to some of my all-time favorite photos of Lincoln!

I get such a kick out of thinking about this hike because Jonathan found it and told me this was “a 3.5-mile slow, relaxing walk through the woods”. We arrived on-site to find a steep uphill climb to kick off our trek. I began questioning Jonathan’s definition of “relaxing” (but granted, we were moving slowly)… until we passed a young kid who wasn’t sweating and was moving much more swiftly than we were. He told us we were “almost there”… but apparently, he has the same definition of “relaxing” as Jonathan because it was actually 3.5 miles *one way* and 2400 feet of elevation gain before we’d reach the summit. [In other words, we were absolutely NOT “almost there”, ha! It was kinda like when we finished the Devil’s Thumb hike in Colorado in the dark because a local shared it was a flat, easy walk, and so we started a 7.5-mile, 2200-foot climb after work 🥴 Both of these trails are worth it, just come prepared!]

Truly, if you’re looking for a dog-friendly trail that’s a great workout, with great views, and more challenging than the two in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, try the Pinnacle Trail in Sylva!

[Note: Recent hikers have mentioned overgrown spots along the East Fork Trail and recommend taking East Fork up and West Fork down. Bring hiking poles, as this is a very rocky trail.]

4. Drive the Scenic Drives in GSMNP

Driving through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the best ways to see the park when road-tripping alongside your pup.

Scenic drives, in general, are probably our favorite way to experience as much of a park’s beauty as possible and to do so at our own pace, especially when Lincoln is with us!

GSMNP features several scenic drives; here are a few popular ones to consider.

Newfound Gap Road

The most popular scenic drive through GSMNP is the Newfound Gap Road, which runs for 33 miles between Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Cherokee, North Carolina.

This scenic drive offers stunning views of the park's mountains, forests, and streams and includes several pull-offs and overlooks where you (and your pup) can stop to take in the scenery.

Note: You could hike the Oconaluftee Trail, drive Newfound Gap Road, then hike the Gatlinburg Trail… all during the same drive!

Clingmans Dome Road

About halfway between Cherokee, NC and Gatlinburg, TN, you’ll find Clingmans Dome Road. Clingmans Dome Road takes you to the highest peak in the Smokies, Clingmans Dome.

Along this road, you’ll find numerous scenic pull-offs with valley views, and at the end of this road, you’ll find a parking area with a short trail to an observation tower at the “top of old Smoky.” (Heads up: This is not a dog-friendly trail.)

Note: Clingmans Dome Road is closed from December through March. Learn more here.

Cades Cove Loop

Cades Cove Loop Road is another beautiful drive through GSMNP and offers a one-way 11-mile loop with the chance to explore historic homes, churches, and more. Cades Cove also offers some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing in the park!

You can purchase a self-guided tour booklet at the road’s entrance. (There’s only one entrance, off Laurel Creek Road.)

Note: From May 3rd to September 27, 2023, Cades Cove access is motor-vehicle-free all day on Wednesdays. Learn more about “Vehicle-Free Days” in GSMNP here.

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is an approximately 5.5-mile drive that starts just outside of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It’s named after the Roaring Fork stream that runs alongside the road; Roaring Fork is one of the larger and faster-flowing streams in GSMNP.

One of the highlights of the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is the abundance of mountain streams and historical sites.

Note: This narrow, winding, one-way road is closed in winter. Buses, RVs, and large trucks are prohibited. Click here for directions to Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.

Looking for a road less traveled? Try these NPS off-the-beaten-path suggestions here (Rich Mountain Road and Foothills Parkway).

5. Drive Tail of the Dragon [Warning]

Heads up: This one’s only if your dog does well in the car because there are a lot of turns!

In the Smoky Mountains, on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, you’ll find one of the most exciting roads in the United States, the Tail of the Dragon. Featuring 318 curves in just 11 miles, the Tail of the Dragon is known for its challenging twists and turns, making it a bucket-list adventure for automotive enthusiasts.

While this drive isn’t likely to be your dog’s favorite activity of the trip (see: 318 curves in 11 miles), if it’s on your bucket list, you can take this drive and extend it into a dog-friendly road trip that makes you and your pup happy.

Start by driving the Tail of the Dragon, then head to the Sugarlands Visitor Center to hike the Gatlinburg Trail. (Remember, this is one of only two dog-friendly hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.)

Next, drive Newfound Gap Road, one of the most scenic drives in the Great Smoky Mountains, to the Oconulaftee Visitor Center. There, you can hike the dog-friendly Oconaluftee River Trail. (The second of two dog-friendly park hikes.) A win-win day for both you and your pup!

6. Drive The Blue Ridge Parkway [Cherokee to Asheville]

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic byway that stretches 469 miles through the Appalachian Mountains, connecting Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina.

It’s one of the most beautiful drives on the East Coast and a great place for both you and your pup to enjoy the mountains for a day!

Begin your drive at Cherokee (Milepost 469) and head toward Asheville (Milepost 382). This drive alone will take about three hours, but of course, you’ll want to do more than just drive as you traverse one of the most gorgeous highways in the world. Stop and smell the roses, and hop out of your car to explore on foot as you go!

Here are some dog-friendly stops to consider:

Oconaluftee Visitor Center (Milepost 469): Located near the end of your Blue Ridge Parkway drive, this visitor center provides information about the surrounding area and is the start of the Oconaluftee River Trail (one of two dog-friendly hikes in the GSMNP).
Waterrock Knob (Milepost 451.2): Waterrock Knob boasts the highest visitor center on the Blue Ridge Parkway at 5,820 feet in elevation. A short, steep, dog-friendly hike leads to the summit of Waterrock Knob, which is the highest point along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Richland Balsam Overlook (Milepost 431): Richland Balsam is the highest point along the Blue Ridge Parkway that you can drive to. The overlook is named after the nearby Richland Balsam Mountain, which is known for its lush vegetation and dense stands of Fraser fir trees. The area is also home to the Richland Balsam Nature Loop Trail, a dog-friendly hiking trail that leads to the summit of Richland Balsam Mountain. (Great for you and your pup if you want to get into the woods and love the smell of pine!)
Cowee Mountains Overlook (Milepost 430.7): This overlook offers sweeping views of the Cowee Mountains and the surrounding countryside. It's a serene spot for picnicking and is one of the few overlooks that provide you with unobstructed 180-degree views.
Devil's Courthouse (Milepost 422.4): A short but steep dog-friendly trail leads to the summit of Devil's Courthouse, where you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. On a clear day, you can see as far as four states from this overlook (North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee).
Graveyard Fields Overlook (Milepost 418.8): This overlook is a great spot to take in the Blue Ridge Parkway's rolling landscape and scenic beauty, making this stop particularly great for viewing fall foliage. Here you’ll also find the Graveyard Fields Loop Trail, a 3.2-mile dog-friendly loop that takes you through a unique high-elevation meadow, past waterfalls, and along the banks of streams.
Looking Glass Rock Overlook (Milepost 417): This is one the best places to view Looking Glass Rock along the Blue Ridge Parkway. You’ll also find the dog-friendly Skinny Dip Fall Trailhead here, which leads to Skinny Dip Falls, a popular swimming hole in the area.
Asheville (Milepost 382): Check out dog-friendly Asheville before turning around to head back into the Smoky Mountains.

There are many other scenic overlooks and pull-offs along the Blue Ridge Parkway between Asheville and Cherokee. Keep an eye out for signs indicating overlooks, and take the time to stop and enjoy the views as you go!

Lincoln along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Cherokee, NC.

7. Swim at Deep Creek and Fontana Lake

Although pets are not allowed on trails at Deep Creek (nor can they go tubing with you, ha!), they are welcome along the road and in picnic areas.

Another, more dog-friendly option for getting you and your pup to the water is Fontana Lake. Dogs are allowed in certain areas of Fontana Lake, including the designated recreation areas and campgrounds around the lake, and many of the rental options along the lake have pet-friendly options. (Check out Fontana Marina, located on the southern shore of Fontana Lake.)

Happy road-tripping!

For more North Carolina road trip ideas, check out our Peaks, Pints, and Fireflies: 7-Day NC Road Trip through Charlotte, Asheville, and Bryson City. Or browse all of our road trip itineraries here.

Your turn!

We’re always looking for inspiration and would love to hear about your adventures too. What are your favorite dog-friendly things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains, or which of these activities sounds the most fun for you and your pup? Please share with us in the comments below!

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