Are you looking to visit Tennessee and curious if your pet can join you on your visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park? I’m here to share some of my tips for visiting the park with your dog so that you can have a great trip!
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is somewhat dog-friendly, but there are limitations to keep in mind. Your dog is allowed with you at campgrounds, picnic areas, and along roads, but not on trails or in buildings.
My name is Ash, and I’m a former park ranger. I worked as a park ranger, and I love visiting the Smokies any chance I get! I can’t wait to help you plan your visit to this gorgeous and historic national park.
Let’s talk about the best places to take your dog in Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
Where Can I Go With My Dog in Great Smoky Mountains NP?
Dogs are allowed in the following areas:
Campgrounds
All front-country campgrounds around Great Smoky Mountains National Park allow dogs. If you want to camp with your dog, please be aware that:
- Pets are required to be on a 6-foot leash at all times
- Dogs cannot make excessive noise
- You must pick up after your dog
- Your dog can’t be left unattended or tied to an object while you’re out exploring the park
Learn more about your camping options at the Great Smoky Mountains here.
Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River Trail
You’ll only find a couple of trails that allow dogs in the Great Smoky Mountains — the Gatlinburg Trail (near the Sugarlands Visitor Center on the Tennessee side of the park) and the Oconaluftee River Trail (near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center on the North Carolina side of the park).
Picnic Areas
Your leashed dog can join you in any of the park’s beautiful picnic areas. You can learn more about these picnic areas here.
Parking Lots
All parking lots in Great Smoky Mountains National Park are dog-friendly, but your dog is not permitted to go more than 100 feet from the pavement. If you need to get out of the car and stretch your legs in the parking lot or along the roadway, your dog may join you.
Please don’t leave your pet in the car while you hike.
Scenic Drives
Great Smoky Mountains National Park features gorgeous scenic drives you can enjoy with your pooch. This will allow you to experience the vistas around the park in a manner that is safe for your dog and the local wildlife.
My favorite scenic drives in/near the Great Smoky Mountains are:
- Cades Cove Loop — this 11-mile loop travels through a beautiful historic community in the Smokies. For a small fee, you can pick up the Cades Cove Auto Tour booklet at the beginning of the loop so that you can learn as you drive. This loop is beautiful, but be aware that your dog is not permitted in any of the historic buildings
- Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail — this one-way road is one of the most picturesque places to go if you want to be surrounded by trees and beautiful scenery.
- Newfound Gap Road — travel through the heart of the Smokies as you make your way up into the mountains on the Newfound Gap Road. This road is where you’ll want to be if you’re looking for a gorgeous vista.
Always clean up after your dog so that these areas continue to be dog-friendly!
Dogs are not allowed in the following areas:
Trails
Pets are not permitted on hiking trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The only exception to this is the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail listed above.
The park’s backcountry is also closed to pets — this includes all backcountry trails and campsites.
However, you can find some fabulous trails just outside of Great Smoky Mountains National Park that you can explore with your dog. I suggest heading to the Nantahala National Forest, located in North Carolina on the park’s southern boundary.
Public Buildings
Dogs are not allowed in any public buildings in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, such as the visitor centers, historic buildings, or gift shops.
Everywhere Else
If an area isn’t listed in the “Where Dogs Are Allowed” section above, then you should assume that your dog is not permitted.
Why Can’t I Take My Dog Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains?
The most important reason that a national park is established is to preserve and protect the most beautiful places in America. An important part of fulfilling this charge is by keeping the native wildlife safe and healthy and avoiding altering their natural habitat and behaviors.
Pets can transmit diseases to the wildlife in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which can lead to sickness and death of the animals that live here naturally. And vice versa….your dog can also get sick from the wildlife in the park!
Dogs are also known to chase or scare the animals that call this park home, which can alter their behaviors and cause them to become stressed or aggressive. Pets leave behind “predator scents” that can change the behavior of the local wildlife.
Please join with the NPS in their efforts to take better care of the outdoor spaces, including the local wildlife, by following the pet regulations.
Where Can I Find the Best Kennel Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
There aren’t any in-park kennels, but you can find several kennel options just outside of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- Just Fer Paws in Gatlinburg, TN
- Loving Care Kennels in Pigeon Forge, TN
- Smoky Mountain Pet Resort in Sevierville, TN
What Are Some Dog-Friendly Hotels In/Near the Smokies?
There are no dog-friendly hotels in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so if you’re looking for a room for you and your pet, you’ll want to look in a nearby gateway town. Here are a few great options:
- Gatlinburg, TN — The Park Vista or Quality Inn & Suites Gatlinburg
- Townsend, TN — Dancing Bear Lodge or Best Western Cades Cove Inn
- Cherokee, NC — Panther Creek Cabins or Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort
AirBnB and VRBO also have some nice options in the communities near the park.
And remember, all front-country campgrounds in the Great Smokies are dog-friendly if you’re hoping to stay within the park.
What Happens If I Take My Dog Somewhere He’s Not Allowed in the Great Smoky Mountains?
You will receive a citation for no less than $75, but it could be more depending on the infraction.
Park rangers and park volunteers patrol the hiking trails, roads, and viewpoints in the Smokies regularly.
What If I Bring My Service Dog to the Smokies?
Service dogs that are recognized by the ADA are allowed to accompany their owners throughout the entire park. A service dog must be specifically trained to perform tasks related to the owner’s disability.
Emotional support, therapy, or comfort animals do not qualify as service animals in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and will be required to follow all pet regulations.
I hope you enjoy exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park with your favorite furry friend!
More Great Smoky Mountains Trip Planning Information
Great Smoky Mountains Itinerary — a detailed hour-by-hour sightseeing schedule.
How to Get to the Smokies — the best airports and roads in the area.
How Many Days Should I Spend in the Great Smokies? — itinerary ideas.
The Best Time to Visit — what to expect during each month of the year.
Where Should I Stay? — the best options in and around the park.
Weather, Hours, and Closures — important weather info and common closures.
All About Camping — learn about the park’s campgrounds and how to get a site.
12 Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit to Great Smoky Mountains — the top 12 spots.
The Best Easy Hikes — the perfect trails for kids, wheelchairs, and beginners.
The Ultimate Smokies Trip Planning Guide — everything you need to know.
Best Things to Do — activities for every type of adventurer.
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