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"html": "<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-custom-1-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><em>When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. <a href=\"https://witheachmile.com/privacy-policy#Affiliated-Link-Policy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">See our Affiliate Policy</a>.</em></p>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since 2021, we’ve set aside two to three weeks each year for a big cross-country road trip. Last year was a little bit different, though, and we had to put our plan to visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone on hold.</p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While we’re planning our next road trip for later this year, we decided to spend the first half of this year taking smaller weekend trips with our pups, Toby and Lily instead.</p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our first was to <a href=\"https://witheachmile.com/congaree-national-park-with-dogs-in-spring/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"10303\">Congaree National Park</a> in March, followed by a weekend in the <a href=\"https://witheachmile.com/tag/great-smoky-mountains-national-park/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"106\">Great Smoky Mountains</a> in April.</p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Like most people, we both work full time, so this wouldn’t be a weeks-long mountain trip. We packed the car after work on Friday, buckled Toby and Lily into their car seats and started the 6-hour drive from Alabama to the Smokies.</p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We’ve visited the Smokies before, hiking to places like <a href=\"https://witheachmile.com/kuwohi-clingmans-dome-hike/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"6535\">Kuwohi</a> and <a href=\"https://witheachmile.com/adventure-to-the-mount-cammerer-lookout/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"3147\">Mount Cammerer</a> (neither are dog-friendly), but we really wanted this trip to be a relaxing weekend outdoors with our two dogs. We wanted to drive through the mountains with our windows down and to be unplugged for a couple days before heading back home on Sunday.</p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here’s how we spent our dog-friendly weekend getaway in the Smokies.</p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a416f839a631\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents</p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle</span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #000;color:#000\" xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"></path></svg><svg style=\"fill: #000;color:#000\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"/></svg></span></span></label><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a416f839a631\" checked /><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https://witheachmile.com/our-dog-friendly-smoky-mountains-weekend-itinerary/#friday-road-trip-arrival-in-pittman-center\" >Friday: Road Trip & Arrival in Pittman Center</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https://witheachmile.com/our-dog-friendly-smoky-mountains-weekend-itinerary/#saturday-dog-friendly-hikes-gatlinburg-exploration\" >Saturday: Dog-Friendly Hikes & Gatlinburg Exploration</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https://witheachmile.com/our-dog-friendly-smoky-mountains-weekend-itinerary/#breakfast-entering-great-smoky-mountains-national-park\" >Breakfast & Entering Great Smoky Mountains National Park</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https://witheachmile.com/our-dog-friendly-smoky-mountains-weekend-itinerary/#hiking-the-oconaluftee-river-trail-with-dogs\" >Hiking the Oconaluftee River Trail With Dogs</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https://witheachmile.com/our-dog-friendly-smoky-mountains-weekend-itinerary/#a-quick-detour-to-dog-friendly-mingo-falls\" >A Quick Detour to Dog-Friendly Mingo Falls</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https://witheachmile.com/our-dog-friendly-smoky-mountains-weekend-itinerary/#scenic-drives-and-an-evening-in-downtown-gatlinburg\" >Scenic Drives and an Evening in Downtown Gatlinburg</a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https://witheachmile.com/our-dog-friendly-smoky-mountains-weekend-itinerary/#sunday-dog-friendly-breakfast-heading-home\" >Sunday: Dog-Friendly Breakfast & Heading Home</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https://witheachmile.com/our-dog-friendly-smoky-mountains-weekend-itinerary/#our-smoky-mountains-weekend-route\" >Our Smoky Mountains Weekend Route</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https://witheachmile.com/our-dog-friendly-smoky-mountains-weekend-itinerary/#is-a-smoky-mountains-weekend-trip-worth-it\" >Is a Smoky Mountains Weekend Trip Worth It?</a></li></ul></nav></div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"friday-road-trip-arrival-in-pittman-center\"></span>Friday: Road Trip & Arrival in Pittman Center<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"></span></h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We left Alabama as soon as we finished work Friday afternoon. Well… kind of.</p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both of us have fallen into this terrible habit of packing right before we leave. I’m far more guilty of this than Minerva is. Somehow, we haven’t actually forgotten anything important (yet), but you’d think after all of these road trips that we’d learn our lesson.</p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A couple weeks earlier, Minerva booked us a <a href=\"https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1569744269891595719?source_impression_id=p3_1777597218_P3tc2BVbfORoz6za\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">small RV in Pittman Center, Tennessee</a> (just 20 minutes east of Gatlinburg) at Outdoor Resorts at Gatlinburg (ORG). With just one full day to enjoy the Smokies, we also didn’t want to overload our weekend.</p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1b860b46 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{"imageId":"6a416f8373d94"}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a416f8373d94\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" title=\"ORG RV In Pittman Center\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ORG-RV-in-Pittman-Center.webp\" alt=\"A white Jay Flight Bungalow travel trailer parked at a wooded campsite with a small stone-lined garden, used as a home base for a dog-friendly trip to the Smokies.\" class=\"wp-image-10530\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0rem;border-radius:1rem\" srcset=\"https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ORG-RV-in-Pittman-Center.webp 1200w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ORG-RV-in-Pittman-Center-300x225.webp 300w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ORG-RV-in-Pittman-Center-1024x768.webp 1024w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ORG-RV-in-Pittman-Center-768x576.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" /><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" />\n\t\t\t</svg>\n\t\t</button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Our little RV</figcaption></figure>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{"imageId":"6a416f8374649"}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a416f8374649\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" title=\"ORG RV Interior\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ORG-RV-Interior.webp\" alt=\"The spacious interior of a travel trailer showing a kitchen and living area, where Minerva and their two dogs, Toby and Lily, are relaxing after a day of hiking.\" class=\"wp-image-10531\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0rem;border-radius:1rem\" srcset=\"https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ORG-RV-Interior.webp 1200w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ORG-RV-Interior-300x225.webp 300w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ORG-RV-Interior-1024x768.webp 1024w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ORG-RV-Interior-768x576.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" /><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" />\n\t\t\t</svg>\n\t\t</button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Pretty spacious inside!</figcaption></figure>\n</div>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With our little man Toby being 14 now, we wanted this trip to be something he could enjoy too. We packed our day hiking backpack with a water bladder and collapsible bowl for the pups, buckled them into their car seats and started the drive towards the Smokies.</p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The drive took us about six hours once we stopped for gas, bathroom breaks and losing an hour crossing into Eastern Time. It was after 1am by the time we pulled into our Airbnb in Pittman Center.</p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We carried our bags in, walked the puppers around out for one last pee break, crawled into a very uncomfortable bed and hoped a couple hours of sleep would be enough for our one full day of exploring the Smokies.</p>\n\n\n<script async data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\" data-uid=\"523bc5160a\" src=\"https://witheachmile.kit.com/523bc5160a/index.js\"></script>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"saturday-dog-friendly-hikes-gatlinburg-exploration\"></span>Saturday: Dog-Friendly Hikes & Gatlinburg Exploration<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"></span></h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"breakfast-entering-great-smoky-mountains-national-park\"></span>Breakfast & Entering Great Smoky Mountains National Park<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"></span></h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After sleeping in a little (arriving after 1am definitely caught up with me), we checked in at the campground office before driving over to <a href=\"https://tripadvisor.tpk.lu/u83wQxBb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Trish’s Mountain Diner</a> for breakfast.</p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since this was a dog-friendly weekend trip, we wanted Toby and Lily to be with us for pretty much everything. Trish’s normally has a <a href=\"https://www.bringfido.com/restaurant/124901\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">dog-friendly patio</a>, but it was closed when we visited (we probably should have called ahead to check). That meant our pups stayed in the car with the engine running and A/C on while we ate.</p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It wasn’t ideal, but there weren’t too many breakfast options close to our Airbnb. We ate quickly and checked on them a couple times to make sure they were ok while we were inside.</p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"border-top-right-radius:1rem;border-bottom-right-radius:1rem;border-left-color:var(--wp--preset--color--contrast-2);border-left-width:0.25rem;background-color:#f9f9f9;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">🐾 <strong>Dog Travel Tip:</strong> Don’t assume a dog-friendly patio is actually open when you arrive, call ahead first.</p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After breakfast (and enough coffee to wake me up), we drove back to the RV to finish getting ready for the day. We packed our hiking bags, filled our water bladder, made sure the dogs had plenty of water and started the drive through the Smokies toward the North Carolina side of the park.</p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The drive was one of our favorite parts of the weekend. We drove most of the way with the windows rolled down, enjoying the winding mountain roads and scenic overlooks while the pups sniffed every new smell they could find.</p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"hiking-the-oconaluftee-river-trail-with-dogs\"></span>Hiking the Oconaluftee River Trail With Dogs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"></span></h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We drove to the <a href=\"https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/oconaluftee.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Oconaluftee Visitor Center</a> to pick up our parking pass (the Smokies don’t use the National Park pass system) before heading out for our first hike of the weekend.</p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Out of more than 800 miles of hiking trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, <a href=\"https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/pets.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">dogs are only allowed on two</a>: the <a href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/tennessee/gatlinburg-trail\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gatlinburg Trail</a> in Tennessee and the <a href=\"https://witheachmile.com/oconaluftee-river-trail-dog-friendly-hike-in-smoky-mountains/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"10512\">Oconaluftee River Trail</a> in North Carolina.</p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-content-justification-stretch is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c3520a2 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-98554449 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{"imageId":"6a416f8376f63"}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a416f8376f63\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" title=\"Senior Dog In Oconaluftee River\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Senior-Dog-in-Oconaluftee-River.webp\" alt=\"A small white dog named Toby wearing a blue harness, lying in the shallow water of the Oconaluftee River to cool off during a dog-friendly hike in the Smokies.\" class=\"wp-image-10532\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0rem;border-radius:1rem;aspect-ratio:4/3;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Senior-Dog-in-Oconaluftee-River.webp 1200w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Senior-Dog-in-Oconaluftee-River-300x200.webp 300w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Senior-Dog-in-Oconaluftee-River-1024x683.webp 1024w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Senior-Dog-in-Oconaluftee-River-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" /><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" />\n\t\t\t</svg>\n\t\t</button></figure>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{"imageId":"6a416f83779d4"}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a416f83779d4\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"903\" title=\"Minerva And Toby Walking Past Mountain Farm Museum\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Minerva-and-Toby-Walking-Past-Mountain-Farm-Museum.webp\" alt=\"A person hiking with a dog on a gravel path next to a rustic split-rail fence, with the historic wooden buildings of the Mountain Farm Museum in a green meadow.\" class=\"wp-image-10522\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0rem;border-radius:1rem;aspect-ratio:4/3;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Minerva-and-Toby-Walking-Past-Mountain-Farm-Museum.webp 1200w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Minerva-and-Toby-Walking-Past-Mountain-Farm-Museum-300x226.webp 300w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Minerva-and-Toby-Walking-Past-Mountain-Farm-Museum-1024x771.webp 1024w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Minerva-and-Toby-Walking-Past-Mountain-Farm-Museum-768x578.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" /><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" />\n\t\t\t</svg>\n\t\t</button></figure>\n</div>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{"imageId":"6a416f8378553"}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a416f8378553\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"904\" title=\"Elk In Oconaluftee River\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Elk-in-Oconaluftee-River.webp\" alt=\"Two large elk standing in the shallow water of the Oconaluftee River surrounded by bright green spring forest in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.\" class=\"wp-image-10534\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0rem;border-radius:1rem\" srcset=\"https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Elk-in-Oconaluftee-River.webp 1200w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Elk-in-Oconaluftee-River-300x226.webp 300w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Elk-in-Oconaluftee-River-1024x771.webp 1024w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Elk-in-Oconaluftee-River-768x579.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" /><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" />\n\t\t\t</svg>\n\t\t</button></figure>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since we only had one full day in the park and wanted to get further away from touristy areas like Gatlinburg, we chose to drive about 1.5 hours through the Appalachian Mountains to reach Oconaluftee.</p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https://witheachmile.com/oconaluftee-river-trail-dog-friendly-hike-in-smoky-mountains/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"10512\">Oconaluftee River Trail</a> starts right at the visitor center and is an easy 3-mile out-and-back hike that follows the river. It’s also an area where<a href=\"https://www.explorebrysoncity.com/listing/elk-watching-at-oconaluftee/351/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> elk are frequently spotted</a>. We had a great time exploring the trail with Toby and Lily, especially with the river access giving Toby plenty of chances to cool off along the way.</p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"alltrails-container alltrails-gdpr-placeholder\"\r\n data-map-url=\"https://www.alltrails.com/widget/trail/us/north-carolina/oconaluftee-river-trail?u=i&sh=zodz4m\"\r\n style=\"position: relative; height: 0;\">\r\n <div class=\"placeholder\"\r\n style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; right: 0; bottom: 0;\r\n display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center;\r\n justify-content: center; text-align: center; padding: 1em;\r\n background: #f8f8f8; color: #000000; gap: 0.5em;\">\r\n <div>This AllTrails map needs analytics cookies to load. These cookies cover both our site and the embedded content.</div>\r\n <div style=\"font-size: 0.85em; color: #000000;\">Or</div>\r\n <a class=\"alltrails-link\"\r\n target=\"_blank\"\r\n rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\r\n style=\"color: #00704A; text-decoration: underline;\">\r\n View on AllTrails\r\n </a>\r\n </div>\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<script data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\">function setAllTrailsLinks() {\r\n document.querySelectorAll('.alltrails-gdpr-placeholder').forEach(el => {\r\n const widgetUrl = el.getAttribute('data-map-url');\r\n if (!widgetUrl) return;\r\n let trailUrl = widgetUrl.replace('/widget', '').split('?')[0];\r\n const link = el.querySelector('.alltrails-link');\r\n if (link) {\r\n link.href = trailUrl;\r\n }\r\n });\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction embedAllTrailsMaps() {\r\n document.querySelectorAll('.alltrails-gdpr-placeholder').forEach(el => {\r\n const mapUrl = el.getAttribute('data-map-url');\r\n if (!mapUrl) return;\r\n const iframe = document.createElement('iframe');\r\n iframe.src = mapUrl;\r\n iframe.title = \"AllTrails Map\";\r\n iframe.frameBorder = \"0\";\r\n iframe.scrolling = \"no\";\r\n iframe.loading = \"lazy\";\r\n iframe.style = \"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; border: 0;\";\r\n el.innerHTML = '';\r\n el.appendChild(iframe);\r\n });\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction waitForConsentAndEmbedAllTrails() {\r\n const interval = setInterval(() => {\r\n if (typeof getCkyConsent === 'function') {\r\n const consent = getCkyConsent();\r\n if (consent.isUserActionCompleted && consent.categories.analytics) {\r\n embedAllTrailsMaps();\r\n clearInterval(interval);\r\n }\r\n }\r\n }, 500);\r\n}\r\n\r\ndocument.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', () => {\r\n setAllTrailsLinks();\r\n waitForConsentAndEmbedAllTrails();\r\n});</script>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"a-quick-detour-to-dog-friendly-mingo-falls\"></span>A Quick Detour to Dog-Friendly Mingo Falls<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"></span></h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After finishing the hike, none of us were ready to head back to the RV. At the same time, we also didn’t want to go on another long hike either. We opened Google Maps to see what was nearby and found <a href=\"https://witheachmile.com/mingo-falls-with-dogs/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"10779\">Mingo Falls</a>, one of the tallest waterfalls in the region, less than fifteen minutes away.</p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-content-justification-stretch is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c3520a2 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{"imageId":"6a416f837a49e"}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a416f837a49e\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"904\" title=\"Mingo Falls Trail\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mingo-Falls-Trail.avif\" alt=\"A woman with a backpack and a small dog standing at the trailhead kiosk reading the Mingo Falls information display, with the long wooden staircase visible in the background.\" class=\"wp-image-10771\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0rem;border-radius:1rem\" srcset=\"https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mingo-Falls-Trail.avif 1200w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mingo-Falls-Trail-300x226.avif 300w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mingo-Falls-Trail-1024x771.avif 1024w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mingo-Falls-Trail-768x579.avif 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" /><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" />\n\t\t\t</svg>\n\t\t</button></figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-98554449 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{"imageId":"6a416f837b5f8"}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a416f837b5f8\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1800\" title=\"Mingo Falls Cherokee NC\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mingo-Falls-Cherokee-NC.avif\" alt=\"A scenic, tall waterfall cascading down a rocky mountainside into a stream filled with moss-covered logs and stones, surrounded by lush green trees.\" class=\"wp-image-10773\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0rem;border-radius:1rem;aspect-ratio:3/4;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mingo-Falls-Cherokee-NC.avif 1200w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mingo-Falls-Cherokee-NC-200x300.avif 200w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mingo-Falls-Cherokee-NC-683x1024.avif 683w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mingo-Falls-Cherokee-NC-768x1152.avif 768w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mingo-Falls-Cherokee-NC-1024x1536.avif 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" /><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" />\n\t\t\t</svg>\n\t\t</button></figure>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{"imageId":"6a416f837c21d"}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a416f837c21d\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1594\" title=\"Mingo Falls Viewing Platform\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mingo-Falls-Viewing-Platform.avif\" alt=\"A view from the base of the trail where a stone staircase leads up to a metal bridge viewing platform, with a person and their dog walking towards it and another person standing by the stream.\" class=\"wp-image-10772\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0rem;border-radius:1rem;aspect-ratio:3/4;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mingo-Falls-Viewing-Platform.avif 1200w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mingo-Falls-Viewing-Platform-226x300.avif 226w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mingo-Falls-Viewing-Platform-771x1024.avif 771w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mingo-Falls-Viewing-Platform-768x1020.avif 768w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mingo-Falls-Viewing-Platform-1156x1536.avif 1156w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" /><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" />\n\t\t\t</svg>\n\t\t</button></figure>\n</div>\n</div>\n</div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The drive to the falls took us through Cherokee, North Carolina, following US-441 before turning onto Big Cove Connector Road / Saunooke Bridge Road. The falls parking lot was just across the bridge on Mingo Falls Bridge Road.</p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The trail to the falls is only 0.8 miles round trip, dog-friendly and has a viewing platform right at the falls. But we’d need to climb 163 stairs to get there. With Toby being older, we carried him both up and down.</p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"alltrails-container alltrails-gdpr-placeholder\" data-map-url=\"https://www.alltrails.com/widget/trail/us/north-carolina/mingo-falls-trail?u=i&sh=zodz4m\" style=\"position: relative; height: 0;\">\r\n <div class=\"placeholder\" style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; right: 0; bottom: 0;\r\n display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center;\r\n justify-content: center; text-align: center; padding: 1em;\r\n background: #f8f8f8; color: #000000; gap: 0.5em;\">\r\n <div>This AllTrails map needs analytics cookies to load. These cookies cover both our site and the embedded content.</div>\r\n <div style=\"font-size: 0.85em; color: #000000;\">Or</div>\r\n <a class=\"alltrails-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" style=\"color: #00704A; text-decoration: underline;\">\r\n View on AllTrails\r\n </a>\r\n </div>\r\n</div>\r\n\r\n<script data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\">function setAllTrailsLinks() {\r\n document.querySelectorAll('.alltrails-gdpr-placeholder').forEach(el => {\r\n const widgetUrl = el.getAttribute('data-map-url');\r\n if (!widgetUrl) return;\r\n let trailUrl = widgetUrl.replace('/widget', '').split('?')[0];\r\n const link = el.querySelector('.alltrails-link');\r\n if (link) {\r\n link.href = trailUrl;\r\n }\r\n });\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction embedAllTrailsMaps() {\r\n document.querySelectorAll('.alltrails-gdpr-placeholder').forEach(el => {\r\n const mapUrl = el.getAttribute('data-map-url');\r\n if (!mapUrl) return;\r\n const iframe = document.createElement('iframe');\r\n iframe.src = mapUrl;\r\n iframe.title = \"AllTrails Map\";\r\n iframe.frameBorder = \"0\";\r\n iframe.scrolling = \"no\";\r\n iframe.loading = \"lazy\";\r\n iframe.style = \"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; border: 0;\";\r\n el.innerHTML = '';\r\n el.appendChild(iframe);\r\n });\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction waitForConsentAndEmbedAllTrails() {\r\n const interval = setInterval(() => {\r\n if (typeof getCkyConsent === 'function') {\r\n const consent = getCkyConsent();\r\n if (consent.isUserActionCompleted && consent.categories.analytics) {\r\n embedAllTrailsMaps();\r\n clearInterval(interval);\r\n }\r\n }\r\n }, 500);\r\n}\r\n\r\ndocument.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', () => {\r\n setAllTrailsLinks();\r\n waitForConsentAndEmbedAllTrails();\r\n});</script>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"scenic-drives-and-an-evening-in-downtown-gatlinburg\"></span>Scenic Drives and an Evening in Downtown Gatlinburg<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"></span></h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After our waterfall stop, we started the drive back toward Gatlinburg through the Appalachian Mountains. The pups were quiet in the back and everyone was content, but tired. On the way back through the mountains, we stopped a couple times to take photos and look out over Gatlinburg from above.</p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{"imageId":"6a416f837dc04"}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a416f837dc04\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"580\" title=\"Downtown Gatlinburg\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Downtown-Gatlinburg.avif\" alt=\"Panoramic overlook view of downtown Gatlinburg nestled in a lush green valley, surrounded by dense forest trees with the Great Smoky Mountains rising in the background under a cloudy sky.\" class=\"wp-image-10945\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:1rem;border-top-right-radius:1rem;border-bottom-left-radius:1rem;border-bottom-right-radius:1rem\" srcset=\"https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Downtown-Gatlinburg.avif 1500w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Downtown-Gatlinburg-300x116.avif 300w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Downtown-Gatlinburg-1024x396.avif 1024w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Downtown-Gatlinburg-768x297.avif 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" /><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" />\n\t\t\t</svg>\n\t\t</button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Downtown Gatlinburg</figcaption></figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We stopped in Gatlinburg for dinner at <a href=\"https://tripadvisor.tpk.lu/Ni7DyP2h\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Howard’s Restaurant</a>, which is <a href=\"https://www.howardsrestaurantgatlinburg.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gatlinburg’s oldest restaurant</a>. Like Trish’s, their patio is <a href=\"https://www.bringfido.com/restaurant/16350\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">dog-friendly</a>. They had a photographer going from table to table asking if they could take people’s photos.</p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We said yes, and when they asked if we’d like to buy a print for $20, we couldn’t really say no. We don’t make it to Gatlinburg with the pups all that often, so it’s not every day we get the chance to have all four of us in a photo together.</p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{"imageId":"6a416f837e8a2"}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a416f837e8a2\" class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized has-custom-border wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"882\" title=\"Howards Restaurant\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Howards-Restaurant.avif\" alt=\"A couple smiling while dining on an outdoor patio at Howard's Restaurant in Gatlinburg, TN, holding two small, fluffy dogs, presented in a souvenir photo frame with a Smoky Mountains backdrop.\" class=\"wp-image-10947\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:1rem;border-top-right-radius:1rem;border-bottom-left-radius:1rem;border-bottom-right-radius:1rem;width:350px\" srcset=\"https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Howards-Restaurant.avif 1200w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Howards-Restaurant-300x221.avif 300w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Howards-Restaurant-1024x753.avif 1024w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Howards-Restaurant-768x564.avif 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" /><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" />\n\t\t\t</svg>\n\t\t</button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">We got talked into a souvenir photo</figcaption></figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We walked around downtown for a bit after eating. Gatlinburg is usually pretty busy and Lily didn’t love the noise from the crowds, music and cars.</p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As we were walking past Ripley’s Believe It or Not, there was even an animatronic lizard head display above their sign that startled her when it moved (kind of like the <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7HKgu2_2Ro\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jaws 19 scene in Back to the Future</a>).</p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She tucked her tail and tried to run. It was funny in hindsight, but at the time we could tell she was done and wanted to leave. We left for the night and made our way back to the RV.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"sunday-dog-friendly-breakfast-heading-home\"></span>Sunday: Dog-Friendly Breakfast & Heading Home<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"></span></h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sunday morning came around way too quickly. We packed up the RV, loaded the car one last time and started making our way back toward Gatlinburg before heading home to Alabama.</p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{"imageId":"6a416f837f8ac"}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a416f837f8ac\" class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized has-custom-border wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"904\" title=\"Little House Of Pancakes Gatlinburg\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Little-House-of-Pancakes-Gatlinburg.avif\" alt=\"A hearty breakfast table spread at Little House of Pancakes in Gatlinburg, featuring stacks of pancakes topped with apples, strawberries, and whipped cream, alongside plates of scrambled eggs, sausage patties, and bacon.\" class=\"wp-image-10948\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:1rem;border-top-right-radius:1rem;border-bottom-left-radius:1rem;border-bottom-right-radius:1rem;aspect-ratio:1.3274860732487852;width:350px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Little-House-of-Pancakes-Gatlinburg.avif 1200w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Little-House-of-Pancakes-Gatlinburg-300x226.avif 300w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Little-House-of-Pancakes-Gatlinburg-1024x771.avif 1024w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Little-House-of-Pancakes-Gatlinburg-768x579.avif 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" /><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" />\n\t\t\t</svg>\n\t\t</button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Little House of Pancakes was tasty</figcaption></figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before leaving the Smokies, we stopped at <a href=\"https://tripadvisor.tpk.lu/225q7xD7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Little House of Pancakes</a> for breakfast. We couldn’t tell if they are dog-friendly (and they were really busy when we visited), so Toby and Lily stayed in the car with the engine running and the A/C on while we quickly ate. We also walked out there once or twice to check on them.</p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After breakfast, we got on the road. Four hours later, we were home with two tired pups who had spent the weekend exploring rivers, waterfalls and mountain roads.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"our-smoky-mountains-weekend-route\"></span>Our Smoky Mountains Weekend Route<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"></span></h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes has-custom-css wp-custom-css-1dff6a7e\"><table class=\"has-background has-border-color\" style=\"background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#000000;border-width:0.01rem\"><thead><tr><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Day</th><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">What We Did</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Friday</td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Leave home after work → drive to the Smokies → arrive late in Pittman Center, TN</td></tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Saturday</td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Breakfast in Gatlinburg → scenic drive through the park → <a href=\"https://witheachmile.com/oconaluftee-river-trail-dog-friendly-hike-in-smoky-mountains/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"10512\">Oconaluftee River Trail</a> → <a href=\"https://witheachmile.com/mingo-falls-with-dogs/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"10779\">Mingo Falls</a> → dinner at Howard’s → evening exploring Gatlinburg</td></tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Sunday</td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Breakfast → drive back home</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{"imageId":"6a416f83810c4"}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a416f83810c4\" class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized has-custom-border wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" title=\"Dog Sniffing In The Great Smoky Mountains\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Dog-Sniffing-in-the-Great-Smoky-Mountains.webp\" alt=\"Reflection in a car side mirror of a small white dog looking out the window while driving through the scenic, wooded roads of the Great Smoky Mountains.\" class=\"wp-image-10533\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:1rem;border-top-right-radius:1rem;border-bottom-left-radius:1rem;border-bottom-right-radius:1rem;width:350px\" srcset=\"https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Dog-Sniffing-in-the-Great-Smoky-Mountains.webp 1200w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Dog-Sniffing-in-the-Great-Smoky-Mountains-300x225.webp 300w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Dog-Sniffing-in-the-Great-Smoky-Mountains-1024x768.webp 1024w, https://witheachmile.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Dog-Sniffing-in-the-Great-Smoky-Mountains-768x576.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" /><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" />\n\t\t\t</svg>\n\t\t</button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lily couldn’t sniff the mountain air fast enough!</figcaption></figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"is-a-smoky-mountains-weekend-trip-worth-it\"></span>Is a Smoky Mountains Weekend Trip Worth It?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"></span></h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Absolutely!</p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We love taking long cross-country road trips, but you don’t always need two or three weeks off work to have a memorable adventure with your dogs.</p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By staying just outside of Gatlinburg and visiting places where Toby and Lily could come along too, all four of us got to spend the weekend driving through the Appalachian Mountains, hiking along the Oconaluftee River, climbing up to Mingo Falls and enjoying time together.</p>"
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"description": "Planning a dog-friendly Smoky Mountains weekend? Check out our getaway itinerary with the Oconaluftee River Trail, Mingo Falls and Gatlinburg travel tips!",
"path": "/our-dog-friendly-smoky-mountains-weekend-itinerary/",
"publishedAt": "2026-06-28T19:01:20.000Z",
"site": "at://did:plc:xoczgo53ahhoei6pror2b43g/site.standard.publication/3mmwwrtzqnc7k",
"tags": [
"Dog-Friendly",
"Great Smoky Mountains National Park",
"Hiking",
"North Carolina",
"Road Trips",
"Tennessee",
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"Southeast"
],
"textContent": "When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. See our Affiliate Policy. Since 2021, we’ve set aside two to three weeks each year for a big cross-country road trip. Last year was a little bit different, though, and we had to put our plan to visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone on hold. While we’re planning our next road trip for later this year, we decided to spend the first half of this year taking smaller weekend trips with our pups, Toby and Lily instead. Our first was to Congaree National Park in March, followed by a weekend in the Great Smoky Mountains in April. Like most people, we both work full time, so this wouldn’t be a weeks-long mountain trip. We packed the car after work on Friday, buckled Toby and Lily into their car seats and started the 6-hour drive from Alabama to the Smokies. We’ve visited the Smokies before, hiking to places like Kuwohi and Mount Cammerer (neither are dog-friendly), but we really wanted this trip to be a relaxing weekend outdoors with our two dogs. We wanted to drive through the mountains with our windows down and to be unplugged for a couple days before heading back home on Sunday. Here’s how we spent our dog-friendly weekend getaway in the Smokies. Friday: Road Trip & Arrival in Pittman Center We left Alabama as soon as we finished work Friday afternoon. Well… kind of. Both of us have fallen into this terrible habit of packing right before we leave. I’m far more guilty of this than Minerva is. Somehow, we haven’t actually forgotten anything important (yet), but you’d think after all of these road trips that we’d learn our lesson. A couple weeks earlier, Minerva booked us a small RV in Pittman Center, Tennessee (just 20 minutes east of Gatlinburg) at Outdoor Resorts at Gatlinburg (ORG). With just one full day to enjoy the Smokies, we also didn’t want to overload our weekend. Our little RV Pretty spacious inside! With our little man Toby being 14 now, we wanted this trip to be something he could enjoy too. We packed our day hiking backpack with a water bladder and collapsible bowl for the pups, buckled them into their car seats and started the drive towards the Smokies. The drive took us about six hours once we stopped for gas, bathroom breaks and losing an hour crossing into Eastern Time. It was after 1am by the time we pulled into our Airbnb in Pittman Center. We carried our bags in, walked the puppers around out for one last pee break, crawled into a very uncomfortable bed and hoped a couple hours of sleep would be enough for our one full day of exploring the Smokies. Saturday: Dog-Friendly Hikes & Gatlinburg Exploration Breakfast & Entering Great Smoky Mountains National Park After sleeping in a little (arriving after 1am definitely caught up with me), we checked in at the campground office before driving over to Trish’s Mountain Diner for breakfast. Since this was a dog-friendly weekend trip, we wanted Toby and Lily to be with us for pretty much everything. Trish’s normally has a dog-friendly patio, but it was closed when we visited (we probably should have called ahead to check). That meant our pups stayed in the car with the engine running and A/C on while we ate. It wasn’t ideal, but there weren’t too many breakfast options close to our Airbnb. We ate quickly and checked on them a couple times to make sure they were ok while we were inside. 🐾 Dog Travel Tip: Don’t assume a dog-friendly patio is actually open when you arrive, call ahead first. After breakfast (and enough coffee to wake me up), we drove back to the RV to finish getting ready for the day. We packed our hiking bags, filled our water bladder, made sure the dogs had plenty of water and started the drive through the Smokies toward the North Carolina side of the park. The drive was one of our favorite parts of the weekend. We drove most of the way with the windows rolled down, enjoying the winding mountain roads and scenic overlooks while the pups sniffed every new smell they could find. Hiking the Oconaluftee River Trail With Dogs We drove to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center to pick up our parking pass (the Smokies don’t use the National Park pass system) before heading out for our first hike of the weekend. Out of more than 800 miles of hiking trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, dogs are only allowed on two: the Gatlinburg Trail in Tennessee and the Oconaluftee River Trail in North Carolina. Since we only had one full day in the park and wanted to get further away from touristy areas like Gatlinburg, we chose to drive about 1.5 hours through the Appalachian Mountains to reach Oconaluftee. The Oconaluftee River Trail starts right at the visitor center and is an easy 3-mile out-and-back hike that follows the river. It’s also an area where elk are frequently spotted. We had a great time exploring the trail with Toby and Lily, especially with the river access giving Toby plenty of chances to cool off along the way. This AllTrails map needs analytics cookies to load. These cookies cover both our site and the embedded content. Or View on AllTrails A Quick Detour to Dog-Friendly Mingo Falls After finishing the hike, none of us were ready to head back to the RV. At the same time, we also didn’t want to go on another long hike either. We opened Google Maps to see what was nearby and found Mingo Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in the region, less than fifteen minutes away. The drive to the falls took us through Cherokee, North Carolina, following US-441 before turning onto Big Cove Connector Road / Saunooke Bridge Road. The falls parking lot was just across the bridge on Mingo Falls Bridge Road. The trail to the falls is only 0.8 miles round trip, dog-friendly and has a viewing platform right at the falls. But we’d need to climb 163 stairs to get there. With Toby being older, we carried him both up and down. This AllTrails map needs analytics cookies to load. These cookies cover both our site and the embedded content. Or View on AllTrails Scenic Drives and an Evening in Downtown Gatlinburg After our waterfall stop, we started the drive back toward Gatlinburg through the Appalachian Mountains. The pups were quiet in the back and everyone was content, but tired. On the way back through the mountains, we stopped a couple times to take photos and look out over Gatlinburg from above. Downtown Gatlinburg We stopped in Gatlinburg for dinner at Howard’s Restaurant, which is Gatlinburg’s oldest restaurant. Like Trish’s, their patio is dog-friendly. They had a photographer going from table to table asking if they could take people’s photos. We said yes, and when they asked if we’d like to buy a print for $20, we couldn’t really say no. We don’t make it to Gatlinburg with the pups all that often, so it’s not every day we get the chance to have all four of us in a photo together. We got talked into a souvenir photo We walked around downtown for a bit after eating. Gatlinburg is usually pretty busy and Lily didn’t love the noise from the crowds, music and cars. As we were walking past Ripley’s Believe It or Not, there was even an animatronic lizard head display above their sign that startled her when it moved (kind of like the Jaws 19 scene in Back to the Future). She tucked her tail and tried to run. It was funny in hindsight, but at the time we could tell she was done and wanted to leave. We left for the night and made our way back to the RV. Sunday: Dog-Friendly Breakfast & Heading Home Sunday morning came around way too quickly. We packed up the RV, loaded the car one last time and started making our way back toward Gatlinburg before heading home to Alabama. Little House of Pancakes was tasty Before leaving the Smokies, we stopped at Little House of Pancakes for breakfast. We couldn’t tell if they are dog-friendly (and they were really busy when we visited), so Toby and Lily stayed in the car with the engine running and the A/C on while we quickly ate. We also walked out there once or twice to check on them. After breakfast, we got on the road. Four hours later, we were home with two tired pups who had spent the weekend exploring rivers, waterfalls and mountain roads. Our Smoky Mountains Weekend Route DayWhat We DidFridayLeave home after work → drive to the Smokies → arrive late in Pittman Center, TNSaturdayBreakfast in Gatlinburg → scenic drive through the park → Oconaluftee River Trail → Mingo Falls → dinner at Howard’s → evening exploring GatlinburgSundayBreakfast → drive back home Lily couldn’t sniff the mountain air fast enough! Is a Smoky Mountains Weekend Trip Worth It? Absolutely! We love taking long cross-country road trips, but you don’t always need two or three weeks off work to have a memorable adventure with your dogs. By staying just outside of Gatlinburg and visiting places where Toby and Lily could come along too, all four of us got to spend the weekend driving through the Appalachian Mountains, hiking along the Oconaluftee River, climbing up to Mingo Falls and enjoying time together.",
"title": "Our Dog-Friendly Smoky Mountains Weekend Itinerary"
}