Six Tips for Planning A Pet-Friendly Vacation To Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is a small town near the famous Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The saying “good things come in small packages” suits Gatlinburg a bit too well, as it is a small mountain town that offers a lot. It’s the perfect spot for the perfect family getaway. Gatlinburg has multiple activities, tourist attractions, and breathtaking views for its visitors.

When discussing family, people think about parents, siblings, children, and partners. But people forget to include your pet, as they consider them “just a pet.” However, for every pet owner out there, their pet is their family member, and they love them beyond measure; that’s how it should be.

Luckily, Gatlinburg is one of the tourist destinations where your pet is treated like a customer and a fellow family member, providing them with all the necessities and utmost care. If you plan on taking your furry family member, you will want to beforehand.

You must do your bit of digging, as pets might not be welcome everywhere. Here are a few tips to help you plan a pet-friendly trip to Gatlinburg and make the most of it.

Reserve a pet-friendly abode

Your pet’s temporary residence is one of the many things you won’t have to worry about in Gatlinburg, as there are ample options. Doing thorough research on the pet friendly cabins Gatlinburg offers will give you an idea of the rules, regulations, and rates of all the accommodations available. Some places allow you to keep your pets in your room, whereas some have separate areas for pets like dogs. Pets receive special treatment, are cared for, and are made to feel like they are on vacation.

Visit SkyLift Park

Gatlinburg’s SkyLift Park is well known for its unrivaled friendliness and services, making it one of the best places to take your dog. For many years, dogs were welcome to ride the chairlifts and enjoy the breathtaking views. Unfortunately, the SkyLift service does not serve the entire park since the fire in 2016.

Despite everything, dogs and their owners can enjoy the SkyLift, SkyDeck, and SkyBridge. The SkyBridge is the longest bridge hanging high above sea level in the United States. If you don’t have a height phobia, you should visit this place.

Take your pet for a walk on a trail

The Gatlinburg Trail is one of the few hiking routes in the Smoky Mountains National Park that admits dogs as long as they are on a leash. The 3.8-mile one-way path begins at the Sugarlands Visitor Center and travels to the Gatlinburg city limits. This route offers spectacular views and will ensure you and your dog have the walk of a lifetime, even though it is not as challenging as some of the other hiking routes Gatlinburg has to offer.

As a pet owner, you are responsible for yourself and your pet. Nature calls at the most unexpected times, which is why it is pivotal to take care of it. Dispose of whatever pet waste you find, even if it is not your pet’s, to keep the trail neat and clean for other walkers. Mills Park is also a great park for pets, where there are separate spaces allocated for dogs according to their size.

The Townsend River Walk and Arboretum are near Townsend, Tennessee, on the border of the Smoky Mountains. The path is ideal for a family outing with pets because it is open seven days a week from sunrise to dusk, is pet-friendly, and is handicap accessible. Compared to the other walking pathways, it is shorter at 0.3 miles. But what distinguishes it is that it is easily accessible without compromising views. The route is accessible to everyone and is highly recommended.

Go drinking and shopping

Gatlinburg is known for its distilleries, where tourists can try out new drinks. Some distilleries are pet-friendly. So go moonshining with your pet and enjoy different drinks while your pet gets happy seeing you.

Go cruising

What dog doesn’t want to travel in a car with the windows down? You may also take in the surroundings on a lovely drive through Gatlinburg with your pet. You can reach the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail by traveling south on Cherokee Orchard Road from the downtown Parkway. Views of mountain streams, wildflowers, cabins, and other old structures may be found around the 5.5-mile circle. Remember that buses and motorhomes are not allowed, and the route is blocked during the winter. Keep your pet properly secured or fastened on any car journey to prevent distractions (meaning no dog in your lap). It is against the rules to leave your pet in an unattended car while visiting the park.

Speaking of parks, take your dog to one

Near Gatlinburg, Sevierville has a pet-safe dog park that caters to dogs of all breeds, sizes, and ages. The park has separate areas for dogs of different sizes to avoid clashes and grievous injuries. Moreover, there is equipment available that the dogs can use. The entirety of the park is under the close supervision of officials through CCTV to avoid any unforeseen events.

While your pet has the time of its life, you can enjoy free Wi-Fi while relaxing under the shade in the waiting areas. Because of these services, you will not rush their fun time as you will have a place to rest while your furry child thoroughly enjoys their trip. A prerequisite for your dog to visit the park is that your dog must be fully vaccinated and not sick to avoid infecting other dogs there.

Conclusion

Life without pets for pet owners is as sad as it can be. Without their beloved pet in their lives, there is a gap in their heart that cannot be filled by anything or anyone else. So when taking a break from your life, you will want to ensure your pet does the same. Therefore, the tips above should help you plan the best trip for you and your pet to Gatlinburg.