Pet Friendly Lodging, Hiking trails and Dog Sitters
You don't have to leave your pet at home when going on vacation to the Smoky Mountains. There are many options available for you to bring along your dog. From pet friendly restaurants and cabins to dog sitters and boarding. You can even bring your dog with you in the park.
You can take your furry family member hiking too, but there are some restrictions.
If your pet wants some alone time away from their human family, we have options here for you as well!
“Dogs are only allowed on two short walking paths in the park—the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail. Pets are not allowed on any other park trails.” from the National Park Service
The Gatlinburg Trail is 1.9 miles long and starts at the Sugarlands Visitor Center. The trail is mostly flat and you will often find bicycle riders and joggers sharing the trail with you. There are no fees, and the trail is also handicapped accessible. There is a restroom and camping on site.
Surgarlands was named so because of all the sugar maple trees in the area.
Directions to the Sugarlands visitor center: US 441 south of Gatlinburg at the entrance to the GSMNP. The visitor center is at the intersection of US 441 and Little River Road.
The Oconauftee River Trail is pet friendly and is locate just beyond Cherokee NC inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. While this is a pet friendly trail, it's more than 30 miles from Gatlinburg driving through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and those roads are slow speed and curvy.
There are multiple reasons dogs are not allowed in most of the areas of the park. While all of those beautiful bears we all enjoy will normally stay away from humans, they may see your pet as an opportunity for food and therefore act differently in the presence of a dog. Dogs also bring in unseen diseases that normally wouldn't affect anything outside the park. The park also says that dogs bark, and may upset the quietness around them.
If you would like more information on dogs in the park you can head straight to the source:
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/pets.htm
Dogs are also allowed in campgrounds and picnic areas, but must be on a short leash.
After hiking with your pets, you may want to take a walk on the strip and have a romantic evening alone in Gatlinburg.
There are multiple places to find a dog sitter, doggy day care or boarding for your animals.
You have to have some paperwork, so be sure to check out details on their websites.
Barks and Recreation
[http://www.barksandrecgatlinburg.com]
If you're looking to find a Gatlinburg Dog Boarding, Dog Day Care and Dog Grooming Facility then this is the place. They charge 2.50 an hour and with a $10 minimum. They also board dogs. And if you're looking to find cage free boarding in Gatlinburg they have that too!
Just Fer Paws
[justferpaws.net]
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
They have a dog park, doggie day care and they also kennel dogs.
Smoky Mountain Pet Resort
[Smoky Mountain Animal Clinic] [Sevierville]
Daycare for dogs is $2 an hour and Open Everyday 8:00am – 5:30pm They also board cats and dogs for the night, so that you romantic evening can turn into an overnight relaxation.
For finding a great place for humans to stay, please visit the home page and search the thousands of local area cabin rentals.