Pet Friendly Hiking Trails – Best Places to Take Your Dog Hiking in the Smokies

Visiting the Great Smoky Mountains with Your Pet: Guidelines and Recommendations

Exploring the scenic beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains is a memorable experience—and bringing your pet along can make it even more rewarding. While pets are welcome in many areas of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, certain restrictions are in place to protect the park’s delicate ecosystems and native wildlife. Following these guidelines ensures a safe, enjoyable experience for both visitors and their animals.

Where Pets Are Permitted in the Park

Pets are allowed in all areas of the park that are accessible by vehicle. This includes:

  • Roadways and scenic drives
  • Parking areas
  • Campgrounds and picnic sites
  • Scenic overlooks and other roadside pullouts

 While exploring these areas, pets must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet at all times. It’s also important never to leave pets unattended in tents, RVs, or vehicles, especially in the warmer months when temperatures can rise quickly.

Although pets are permitted in roadside areas, walking along the road is generally discouraged due to traffic and limited shoulder space.

Hiking with Pets in the Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park contains more than 800 miles of trails, but to preserve its natural habitats and wildlife, pet access is limited. Dogs and other pets are prohibited on most hiking trails within the park. However, there are two exceptions where leashed pets are welcome:

  • The Gatlinburg Trail (Tennessee side): This 3.8-mile (round trip) trail is mostly level and follows the Little Pigeon River. It features forest views, a pedestrian bridge, and historic home sites, making it ideal for a relaxed walk with your pet.
  • The Oconaluftee River Trail (North Carolina side): Spanning three miles round trip, this relatively flat trail runs along the Oconaluftee River near Cherokee and provides a peaceful walk with occasional gentle slopes.

These two trails are the only locations within the park where hiking with pets is permitted. Always keep your pet on a leash and be mindful of other visitors and local wildlife.

Pet-Friendly Activities Outside the Park

Beyond the national park boundaries, there are several pet-friendly activities to enjoy in nearby towns and public areas:

Downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge: Leashed pets are welcome to join you for a stroll through town or a meal at restaurants with outdoor seating. Be mindful during peak tourism seasons, as sidewalks may be crowded.

Local City Parks: Patriot Park in Pigeon Forge and Mills Park in Gatlinburg offer open spaces where pets are welcome on leashes. Mills Park also features a dedicated dog park opened in 2021. The nearby town of Sevierville has a spacious, year-round off-leash dog park perfect for exercise and play.

Riverwalk Greenway (Pigeon Forge): This recently completed greenway is an excellent pet-friendly option, running alongside the river and connecting key areas of the town.

Pet-Friendly Accommodations

For those staying overnight in the area, Gatlinburg offers a wide selection of pet-friendly cabin rentals. Many of these accommodations offer flexible pet policies, including no restrictions on pet size or number, and no minimum stay requirements—ideal for travelers bringing pets of all kinds.

Additional Hiking Opportunities on Public Lands

While hiking with pets is limited within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, nearby public lands offer more extensive options:

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

These areas allow leashed pets on most trails and provide diverse terrain and scenic beauty comparable to the national park.