Best Dog Friendly Things To Do In Gatlinburg TN

Planning a trip to Gatlinburg and want to bring fur family too? We are sharing the best dog friendly things to do in Gatlinburg that will both you and your pet can enjoy in the Smoky Mountains.

1. The Great Smoky National Park

The Gatlinburg Trail

You can’t go to Gatlinburg without bringing your dog to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! The Gatlinburg Trail is the only dog-friendly hiking trail on the Tennessee side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Dogs must stay on lease while visiting the park and are also allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas, and along roads.

It’s a wonderful walking trail through the beauty of the smokies, and one of the many perfect outdoor activities in Gatlinburg. The trail is 1.9 miles one-way with it starting at the Sugarlands Visitor Center and ending at the outskirts of Gatlinburg TN. The trail itself takes you and your furry friend along Little Pigeon River. The Gatlinburg Trail is a beautiful walk throughout the smoky mountains that is a must for you and your pooch when visiting Gatlinburg TN.

Cades Cove

If you are planning on driving the scenic Cades Cove Loop, your dog can ride along with you in your car. Dogs are also allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas, and along roads in the park, but they must always stay on leash. Leashes are required to be 6-foot or shorter.

2. Gatlinburg SkyLift Park

Great views accompany you and your furry friend at Gatlinburg Sky Park. While traveling on the SkyLift, you and your pooch will travel to the top of Crockett Mountain. There y’all will see some of the most beautiful scenery in the smokies. At the top, you and your pup can settle on the Sky deck and watch the sunset or try something a little more adventurous and brave the SkyBridge, the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America. Gatlinburg Skylift Park in the end is the perfect place for our four-legged friends.

765 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
865.436.4307 [email protected]

3. Maddog’s Creamery & Donuts

Maddog’s Creamery and Donuts is a great place to get a treat both for your dog and yourself. Mad Dog’s has a large selection of hand dipped ice cream, soft serve ice cream, sundaes, banana splits, milkshakes, and other treats for your furry friends. They also have outside picnic tables and water bowls as well. Maddog’s Creamery is the perfect spot for delicious ice cream for you and your furry family member.

731 East Parkway Gatlinburg, TN 37738 . (865)430-5757

4. Howard’s Restaurant

Howard’s Restaurant is the perfect pet friendly restaurant for you and your pup to get dinner at the end of the day. Howard’s Restaurant serves some of the juiciest steaks in Gatlinburg. They also serve many pork, chicken and fish dishes as well. You and your furry friend can sit on an outdoor patio overlooking the creek as you enjoy your dinner. They will also bring you out an ice cold water bowl for your furry companion. Howard’s Restaurant is definitely the best place for dinning with your furriest friends. 

976 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 436-3600

5. Bonediggity Barkery and Gifts

Located in the Village Shops, Bonediggity Barkery and Gifts is the best place to spoil your dog. They specialize in gourmet dog treats that will surely make your furry friend bark in joy. They also sell toys, clothes, collars, strollers, and more goodies. They are open every day from 11am to 7pm. Bonediggity Barkery and Gifts is a must when visiting Gatlinburg with your furry friends.

634 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 Shop #16
865-277-9024

6. Mills Park And Mynatt Park

Gatlinburg has beautiful public parks for your dogs to enjoy. Gatlinburg has a designated dog park located at Mills Park. The Dog Park at Mills Park is for both large and small dogs alike to have areas for their enjoyment.

The Dog Park offers a large fenced area, which a double gated entrance, for dogs to exercise and play off leash. The Dog Park is divided has two fenced in areas. One designated for larger dogs and the other area is for smaller dogs. Both fenced areas also have a double-gated entrance, to prevent dogs from getting loose.

Both areas feature shaded areas, benches, and dog-waste bags and trash cans. There are also water fountains located outside the gates of both the large and small dog parks.

Both of the Gatlinburg public parks have walking trails, picnic tables, playgrounds, and public restrooms. Mills park also has a 9 hole Disc Golf course, horseshoe pits, outdoor exercise equipment, and a track. Mynatt Park also has a children’s fishing stream, basketball, pickleball, and tennis courts.

Mills Park: 309 Mills Park Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 . Mynatt Park : 622 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

7. Doggywood

If you are planning on visiting the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, you don’t have to leave your dog at home. Dollywood offers dog boarding in their Doggywood kennels and cottages. You can have fun at the theme park while taking comfort in the fact that your dog is happy and safe. It is open 30 minutes before the park opens and closes 15 minutes after the park closes. Doggywood is one of the best pet friendly attractions in the Smokies!

2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

8. Tubing at the River Rat Out post A

A little over 20 miles south west of Gatlinburg in Townsend, Tennessee, your dog is welcome to join you tubbing down the Little River at The River Rat. Their Outpost A allows dogs and has a tube for dogs too. Their dog Passes includes both a dog tube and a tether rental to connect their tube to yours. Both you and your pooch can enjoy a relaxing ride down the rapids. Tubing in the Smokies is the perfect way to cool off with your pup during the summer months.

205 Wears Valley Rd, Townsend, TN 37882

Is Gatlinburg Dog Friendly?

Gatlinburg is a dog friendly vacation destination in the Smokies. Gatlinburg has plenty of pet-friendly cabins, hotels and campgrounds for you to stay in. There are are also pet-friendly restaurants with outdoor patios, shops, parks, and a dedicated dog park, and picnic areas to enjoy in Gatlinburg.

Dog Friendly Things to do in gatlinburg

Whether it’s your first time or tenth time time visiting Gatlinburg, with a little research and planning in advance will help you and your fur family have an amazing time. Gatlinburg is a pet friendly city with lots of fun options that both you and your dog can enjoy. We hope that you and you pets will have a great time visiting Gatlinburg TN!

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