If your trying to plan the perfect pet friendly vacation, then we can get you off to a great start. Guests who come to the Smoky Mountains area know that a Smoky Mountain family vacation is for every member of the family, including the 4-legged ones. To make sure your pet friendly vacation is a great success, we’ve put together some tips to make sure you know the “do’s” and “don’t” of vacationing with the family dog.
It’s essential to know where you can and can’t take your furry family members and just in case you plan to take Fido with you everywhere you go, let’s do some meal planning, shall we?
Pet Friendly Restaurants
East Tennessee has a great love for pets, which makes this a perfect spot for a pet friendly vacation. We know this because nearly every drive through hands out treats to your friendly companions when they’re in the car with you. But what about when the rest of the family gets hungry? Here are some great dinner options:
Pet friendly vacations aren’t friendly at all without a place to dine. One family sports grill that offers patio pet seating is Blue Moose Burgers & Wings. Just off the Parkway in Pigeon Forge, Blue Moose Burgers & Wings is a great dog friendly dining spot. At Blue Moose Burgers & Wings, your dog will be welcomed like a guest.
Are you looking for a place your dog can get a little something off the menu? At Hard Rock Café, they not only have hooks for leashes on the outdoor patios, they provide cold water (in a bowl), and a scrumptious treat (for the dog). At Hard Rock Café, Fido will be getting Rock Star treatment because he deserves it and you deserve delicious sports grill meal!
Time for Pet Friendly Dessert
I don’t know about you, but when I think dessert, I think in terms of Ice Cream! You know who else likes Ice cream? That’s right: the family dog, after all, this is a Pet Friendly Vacation, right? Here’s a couple of other pet friendly places you can actually bring your dog in with you!
Mad Dogs Creamery in both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg has an exciting list of things to try for the whole family! Not only do they have Ice Cream, they also have donuts and other treats your dog’s going to go nuts over! Do you think Fido will be able to patiently wait in line for his turn to order?
Next in line is the Buzzed Bull Creamery. With two locations (one in Sevierville and one in Pigeon Forge) the Buzzed Bull Creamery definitely stands up to its name with their alcohol infused specialty ice-creams. Not to worry though, at Buzzed Bull Creamery, they also offer un-buzzed options for the kids, the pups, and the teens (a.k.a. designated driver). No matter what flavor you choose, there’s no sharing with the underaged, or the puppy! One’s illegal and the other is toxic.
Burning Off Those Calories
Everyone’s belly is full, so now it’s time to get some exercise. There are definitely a couple of options to chose from in this category on your pet friendly vacation!
According to the National Park Service website: Dogs are allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas, and along roads, but must be kept on a leash at all times. The leash must not exceed 6 feet in length. Dogs are only allowed on two short walking paths—the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail. Pets are not allowed on any other park trails. Pet excrement must be immediately collected by the pet handler and disposed of in a trash receptacle. Pets should not be left unattended in vehicles or RVs. For more information, me sure to visit: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/pets.htm
Another great hiking option is the Seven Islands State Birding Park. With several miles of trails with mountain views and river frontage, this bird park is the perfect place for your k-9! Located just off Exit 402 on I-40, approximately half an hour from Pigeon Forge, this hiking treasure opens to more East Tennessee beauty for you and yours to explore! Plus, there is not entrance or parking fee which is a bonus on your pet friendly vacation.
Dog Parks
Convinced that it’s only your dog who needs the exercise, because your dog insist on roaming free? They will LOVE Unleashed, Sevierville’s PetSafe Unleashed Dog Park. With 2 separate arena’s (separated by weight) your dog can run free, socialize with other dogs close to their size, and play on the playground equipment set out there just for them!
If you’re willing to venture out just a little for a fun day with Fido, then head to Knoxville! According to the City of Knoxville website, “Knoxville and Knox County have made a commitment with PetSafe to make Knoxville the “Most Pet Friendly Community” in the nation.” With 156 pet friendly restaurants in Knoxville, it appears they are staying true to that commitment! For great fun on your pet friendly vacation, check our the Knoxville dog parks.
Here’s The List
• Charter Doyle PetSafe Dog Park at 5100 W. Martin Mill Pike
• Dogwood Dog Park at Victor Ashe Park at 4901 Bradshaw Road
• Downtown PetSafe Dog Park at 200 S. Central Street
• Holston River PetSafe Dog Park at 3300 Holston Hills Road
• Concord Dog Park at 10901 South Northshore Drive
• Village Dog Park at 10424 PetSafe Way
• Emma Jane Walker Memorial Dog Park at 6400 Fountain City Road
• Plumb CreekDog Park at 1517 Hickey Road
Kennels and Doggy Day Care
What if you promised the two-legged one’s a grand day at Dollywood? You may not know this if you’ve never been, but just inside Dollywood is Doggywood, a kennel that is open everyday that Dollywood is! Just make sure you bring proof of rabies and Bordetella vaccines with you.
If you want to drop them off to a little more freedom and maybe a haircut too, try the Smoky Dog Lodge . At Smoky Dog Lodge, they train their staff to care for your dog’s needs with love, energy, and a passion. So when you drop them off, you can leave your cares behind!
Do you feel that with the right surroundings, your pup could be a celebrity? Try surrounding them with others who are. At Just Fer Paws, a doggie daycare and boarding facility with over an acre of fenced-in play area, your best friend will feel right at home. There is comfort knowing that the owner has over 20 years’ experience working with animals. Her dogs have been on Animal Planet, David Letterman, and national commercials, so maybe she give your pup some pointers!
Just Fer Paws is located at 817 Powdermill Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Open Tuesday – Saturday from 9-5, Sunday 9-3 and Mohnday 9-11. For more details visit: https://www.justferpaws.net/
Pet Friendly Cabins
You know what to do because you read our blog. Now it’s time to think of where you’re going to stay, so how about a Pet Friendly Cabin? With over 65 pet friendly vacation cabins or chalets to choose from, American Patriot Getaways can help you find the perfect place for you and your pet. So, visit us online to take of tour of our beautiful cabins or contact one of our Getaway Specialists today at 1-800-204-5169.
Book that getaway now!
Also, be sure to check out all of our vacation guides, and plan your Smoky Mountain getaway. And remember, you can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest area information!
