The Gatlinburg Trail- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Gatlinburg Trail- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Do you know what's better than hiking in the Smoky Mountains? Hiking with your dog in the Smoky Mountains. That's exactly what you get to do when embarking on the 3.8 roundtrip Gatlinburg Trail. Visiting one of the most popular National Parks in the United States is exciting, but getting to experience it with your pup is much cooler. Get ready for plenty of Instagrammable moments as you and furry four-legs make your way through the lush forests of the Smokies while on the Gatlinburg Trail.
Gimli the Golden posing at the Gatlinburg Trailhead
Before We Get Started
The Gatlinburg Trail is located in a National Park. National Parks are protected by the government for the enjoyment of the general public (you), so please follow the rules and be a decent person. Since you are in a National Park, there are several rules to follow. If you don't follow these rules, you cold get in big trouble with the Park Rangers and could be fined... or even arrested. So don't act a fool. Do not feed the wildlife. Do not leave a trace (pick up after your pup and after yourself). Do not alter the environment around you. Be respectful of the nature around you, and the other visiting guests to the area. Stay on the trail. Use common sense. For a more comprehensive list of rules you will need to abide by, please refer to the "Please Note" section at the bottom of the blog, click on the link highlighted "Great Smoky Mountains National Park", and educate yourself. Moving on.
What You Will Need
- A dog
- A collar on your dog
- A leash to go on the collar which will go on your dog
- Water (for you and the dog)
- Treats (just for the dog, humans aren't allowed to have treats on the trail. It's a joke, you can have treats too. Geez......)
- Poop bags.... for the dog (please do your part and pick up your pup's doggie turds).
- A phone / camera (so you can take those perf pics of you and your dog together and get all the likes on FB/IG).
- Don't lock your keys in the car. Helpful reminder.
Parking
You essentially have two options. There are two trailhead locations for the Gatlinburg Trail. One is located at the end of the downtown Gatlinburg parkway as you enter the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the other is at the Sugarlands Visitor Center. There are more parking spot locations found on the visitor center side of the trail, so that is Gimli's recommendation.
The Hike
Are you an extreme hiker? Do you take pride in being challenged and overcoming those challenges on the trail? Well you aren't going to be too impressed with this trail. If you are simply wanting to explore the outdoors with your pup, get some exercise, and create awesome memories then you will absolutely love this trail. At 3.8 miles roundtrip (for those of you who suck at math, that comes out to being 1.9 miles each way) it isn't too short, but it is definitely not too strenuous either. There aren't many elevation changes, it's predominately shaded by the forest's canopy, and you get to enjoy the sound of the river throughout the majority of the hike. What about photo ops? Uh yeah... we are in the Smokies so OF COURSE there are plenty of picture worthy locations for you and your doggie pal. For more sample pictures of my experience on the trail with Gimli, check out our Instagram page. There's a really cool pedestrian footbridge, remnants of old chimneys and foundations which were part of the homesteads located in the Park before it actually was a Park, and so many species of trees, flowers, and little insects squirming around. If your human gets tired (speaking to the dog again), there are several rest/bench areas on the perimeter of the trail, so take a break, get some water, look at the beauty around you, then mosey on along. If you're looking for a quiet walkway with your best furry friend, then this place is certainly for you. However, this trail tends to serve as a hot spot for joggers, bicyclists, and nature lovers alike. Oh, and other dog owners too. Regardless of the season, you will not be the only person on the trail, so behave and make sure your human respects everyone else's privacy (speaking to the dog here). I think one of the coolest aspects about this trail is seeing all the different types of dogs you will see on the trail. Big, small, skinny, and fat, you will see the whole nine yards. Maybe I'm weird and I shouldn't find pleasure out of people/dog watching. Maybe I should mind my own business. Or maybe I should drop this and continue on (Gimli's recommendation). That's about it. Just enjoy being in nature with your doggie dude/dudette and you will have such an awesome time. Check out some pictures below :)
Gimli crossing the pedestrian footbridge on the Gatlinburg Trail
Gimli the hot and sweaty Golden cooling off next to the river
Gimli practicing his "place" command on a resting bench along the Gatlinburg Trail.
Where Will You End Up?
So it is ultimately up to you and your fitness level if you want to do the complete roundtrip trail or just venture one way. If you start from the Sugarlands Visitor Center trailhead, you will come out right onto the small parking area next to the downtown Gatlinburg Parkway. If you choose to initially park in the small parking area close to downtown Gatlinburg and hit the trailhead on that side, then you will exit out at the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Either one is fine. Just man up and do the whole hike. It's not that bad, and it will be a great way to exert some energy out of your doggie bud.
Gimli's Final Recommendations
This trail is definitely a must do for you and your dog. There are not many places in the National Park where you can explore out in the middle of nature with your dog, so make sure to check this place out. Gimli recommends going early in the morning when the sun is coming up. It's going to be much cooler on you and your dog, and less crowded. He does not recommend going at night. Remember, wildlife is all around you. Going at night just isn't the smartest or safest option. Gimli is also afraid of the dark, so we wouldn't be attempting the night hike anyways. After your hike, leave some time to explore downtown Gatlinburg and all the southern mountain-town has to offer. If you are feeling extra adventurous, hop in the car and go drive with your pup further into the Park. Make sure to stop by the Sugarlands Visitor Center to get all the information you need prior to driving further into the Jurassic, I mean National Park.
Gimli and I getting our obligatory touristy picture in front of the GSMNP sign.
Remember, every new day is another opportunity to grow closer with your four-legged friend. This is the only life you both have together. Make the most out of it by visiting places like the Gatlinburg Trail that will leave a long-lasting impact on not just you, but your pup as well.
It's A Golden's Globe that I am living in. Thanks for the opportunity, Gimli.
Please Note: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has rules which limit the amount of access dogs can actually have while in the Park. Please do your research before making your way with Fido into the Smokies. In fact, there are only two trails in the entire Great Smoky Mountains National Park which permit dogs:
- The Gatlinburg Trail
- Oconaluftee River Trail.
Please click on the link highlighted above to check out all the rules before visiting. Please.