Are Dogs Allowed in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Article Summary: Visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Dogs and Pets

We all love our furry friends, but is bringing pets to national parks wise? Each national park has its own pet guidance, including Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

So, are dogs allowed in Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Technically, yes. However, there are only a few places they can go.

Learn more about bringing pets to Great Smoky Mountains National Park below. We’ll also discuss the details of the park’s Bark Ranger program, reveal which trails allow pets, and give you tips for pet safety during your visit.

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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK Pet Regulations

Before bringing your pet to the park, take note of the following rules:

• Pets must be on a leash at all times. The leash cannot exceed 6 feet in length.
• Owners are responsible for the proper disposal of all pet excrement.
• Pets cannot be left unattended in cars or RVs.

Where Are Pets Allowed in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Pets are allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas, and along roads.

Two trails also allow pets: the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail.

The Gatlinburg Trail, which begins at the Sugarlands Visitor Center, is 1.9 miles long. It leads from the visitor center toward Gatlinburg, TN. It’s a relatively flat trail through a forested area with beautiful river views.

The Oconaluftee River Trail begins at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. This trail is 1.5 miles long and leads toward Cherokee, NC. It’s a mostly flat trail, but there are small hills. It follows the Oconaluftee River for lovely views. Elk may be seen on the trail, so stay alert to protect your pet and yourself.

One of the best things to do with pets in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is to enjoy a scenic drive. There are no rules against pets going for a joy ride! Cades Cove Loop is a popular place for scenic driving.

Remember that if your dog barks at any wildlife, you must try to calm them and roll up your windows to limit disruption to the wild animals. If they can’t be calmed or quieted, leave the area immediately.

Why Aren’t Dogs Allowed on Trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Pet access to the park is limited for a few safety reasons.

• Dogs can carry diseases that infect park wildlife.
• Dogs often chase, threaten, or disturb wildlife in other ways. Even a dog’s scent, lingering after a walk on the trail, may discourage wildlife from returning to nesting sites or feeding grounds. Some animals, like elk, may smell your pet and feel threatened, causing them to attack.
• Barking dogs disrupt the visitor experience. Even the most well-behaved pets may bark in an unfamiliar situation, such as a bear encounter.

• Large animals in the park, such as coyotes or bears, view small pets as prey. This could also cause wild animals to view you as prey.
• Smaller animals may view your pets as predators, which alters their behavior. The National Park Service considers altering wildlife behavior in any national park harassment, which is illegal.
• Dogs may interact with diseased bugs or poisonous plants.
• Other visitors may be frightened or allergic to your pets.
• Uncontrolled pets may be a danger to other visitors or park wildlife.

Where Can I Take My Pets Instead?

Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there are several places where dogs are permitted. This includes National Forest land and even some other national parks.

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

If visiting other parks/forests isn’t an option, consider boarding your pets for the day. One of the most popular options is Doggywood, located at the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge.

What About Service Animals at Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Service animals are defined as dogs or miniature horses trained to perform specific tasks that assist their owner with a disability. These animals are not pets and are exempt from the regulations above. Service animals can accompany their owners anywhere they go. Owners must still follow other regulations, including responsibly disposing of pet waste and keeping their animals in their control.

Emotional Support Animals are not service animals because they are not trained to aid in a disability. They are not trained to perform a specific job or task, and their owner may not have a disability. Therefore, these animals are considered pets and should abide by the rules above.

Falsely identifying your dog as a service animal is illegal.

Great Smoky Mountains Bark Ranger Program

To promote visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with pets responsibly, the park began a B.A.R.K. Ranger program. The park’s partner Smokies Life sells a line of products related to the Bark Ranger program.

B.A.R.K. stands for:

• Bag your pet’s waste
• Always leash your pet
• Respect wildlife
• Know where you can go

Other parks with Bark Ranger programs include Biscayne and Acadia.

Pin Our Guide to Visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Dogs and Pets

Visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with dogs is tricky but possible. As long as you follow the rules and visit specific places, your trip to the park can still be enjoyable for both you and your pet.

Before you go, review some of our other articles on Great Smoky Mountains National Park to plan your trip:

• Visiting Clingmans Dome
• Hiking to Alum Cave Bluffs
• How to Get a Parking Tag
• Camping in Great Smoky Mountains National Park