- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
There are only two dog-friendly trails in the park: Oconaluftee River Trail and Gatlinburg Trail. We did the Oconaluftee River Trail. Parking is located at teh Oconaluftee Visitor Center. This 3 mile out and back trail follows the river, so there are plenty of opportunities for your dog to swim and cool off, which was essential on our hike because it was quite warm out. The main trail is to the right of the river, but you can also see a smaller, more overgrown trail closer to the river. We weaved between trails and did a little bit of both. At the trailhead there is an old farm, but dogs are not allowed there. Be careful, as there are free roaming chickens along the path at the trailhead. I had to keep Max in a heel to prevent him from going after the chickens. Once you reach the forest, you are chicken-free! The meadow beside the farm has been known for elk sitings but we did not see any. There are many people tubing down the river as you hike alongside it, which I was jealous of because it looked quite refreshing on such a hot day. We passed many other dogs on this trail.
2. Shop: Mast General Store
There are many antique shops along the way to Waynesville, but we did not stop at them. Instead, we did some shopping in downtown Waynesville. The Mast General store is three floors of outdoor apparel, gear, and food. There is a water bowl and a jar of dog treats at the entrance. The staff there is very friendly and gave me some great hiking advice.
3. Shop: Smoky Mountain Dog Bakery
Around the corner from Mast General Store is Smoky Mountain Dog Bakery. This pet store is more than just a bakery. What DON’T they have? They had collars, apparel, baked treats, toys, and more. They had iced water for the dogs at the entrance, which was very thoughtful. They let Max sample some treats before buying, too! You can tell the owner is a true dog lover.
4. Sip: Smoky Mountain Dog Bar
Owned by the same owner of the bakery, Smoky Mountain Dog Bar is a bar where your dog is welcome inside to sit on the floor, a dog bed, or the furniture as you sip your cocktail. They also had a list of mocktails and sodas, which I appreciated as I don’t drink when solo traveling. They immediately offered Max a water bowl and a complimentary pup cup- a bowl of whipped cream with some dog treats in it! There was live music and the environment was so cozy and relaxing that Max fell asleep.
5. Stay: Misfit Mountain
Fifteen minutes away is Misfit Mountain in Clyde. They offer camp and RV sites, as well as a tiny home where Max and I stayed. The tiny home has everything you need except for a bathroom, but they do provide an outdoor shower and a porta potty. The proceeds go towards the animal rescue. On site, they have cats, dogs, pigs, and chickens. I volunteered to walk a rescue dog and took him to Starbucks for a pup cup! You can take a dog out for a hike or a treat while you are there, which is a great way to give a dog in need the best day ever as you explore the area. Check them out on instagram @misfitmountainnc
