Travel is always better with your pet! In 2019, I was preparing to move cross-country with my Patterdale terrier, Charlie. I love visiting national parks and wanted to see as many as possible on my drive. This required extensive research since dogs aren’t allowed in most US national parks. I hate leaving Charlie behind when I travel, so I’m always looking for ways to bring her along but still see what I want to see.
In general, the US National Parks are not pet-friendly. This is to protect both the park and your pet, so please always follow the posted rules. Note that the rules may change since this post was created, so always check the park’s NPS page for the most up-to-date guidelines.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
GSMNP only allows pets on two short walking paths—the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail. The Gatlinburg Trail leads from the outskirts of the city of Gatlinburg to the Sugarlands visitor center, about 2 miles one-way. The Oconaluftee River Trail is a similar walking path on the North Carolina side of the park.
Needless to say, we didn’t do much hiking in GSMNP with Charlie. I visited the park as part of my cross-country road trip in 2019, and since I had Charlie with me I mostly just enjoyed the views from the car. We took a walk along the Gatlinburg trail to stretch our legs. My aunt and I also took turns walking up Clingman’s Dome–Charlie wasn’t allowed on the dome trail itself, but we were able to sit on some benches with her while the other person quickly climbed the monument to see the view.
Other Options
The National Parks Service website offers many other great hiking options in the area. We really enjoyed wandering around the town of Gatlinburg with Charlie, and she got tons of pets from tourists who missed their own dogs.
The rules regarding pets in national parks can change at any time. Make sure you check GSMNP’s NPS page for the most current information. The regulations covering pets and their owners are put in place to allow you and your pet to share a Park experience while protecting Park resources, as well as other visitors. As always, you’re responsible for your dog’s safety on the trail, so make sure you come prepared.
Looking for more guides for bringing your dog to other parks? Check out the full list here, or any of these related posts:
