Pets in the Park

Do you want to bring your pet with you to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Dogs are allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas and along roads in the park. However, they must be kept on a leash at all times, and the leash must not exceed 6 feet in length. Owners are required to pick up all pet waste and dispose of it in a trash receptacle in order to keep our park beautiful and clean. Please note that no pets should be left unattended in vehicles or RVs.

Are Pets Allowed on Hiking Trails?

There are 2 dog friendly hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park: the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail. The Gatlinburg Trail travels 1.9 miles one-way from the Sugarlands Visitor Center to the outskirts of Gatlinburg. It’s a flat trail that follows alongside the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River. The Oconaluftee River Trail travels 1.5 miles one-way from the Oconaluftee Visitor Center to the outskirts of Cherokee, NC. It runs alongside the Oconaluftee River.

Pets are not permitted on any other trails in the park. This is for a number of reasons. Dogs can be a threat to wildlife that call the park home, their barking can disturb the wilderness, and uncontrolled dogs can be a danger to other visitors. Out of respect for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and its visitors, please only bring pets to the permitted areas in the park.