Visiting Sevierville, Tennessee—one of the gateways to the Great Smoky Mountains—with a four-legged compadre? Well, you’re in luck: This dynamic little city and its foothills neighborhood offer a ton of great dog-friendly activities. From a patio bar in Gatlinburg and a jampacked flea market to a fine national-park trail, check out this lineup of area destinations open to both you and your pup!
Sevierville’s Unleashed PetSafe Dog Park
When it comes to hanging with your pooch out and about in Sevierville, you can’t beat the Unleashed PetSafe Dog Park, the city’s all-around canine central. This attractive, dog-friendly, well-maintained, and fully fenced-off greenspace, which adjoins Sevierville City Park, offers separate dedicated areas for big and little dogs. It comes outfitted with such amenities as dog-agility equipment, nicely shaded benches, water fountains, observation cameras—heck, even wifi!
The Unleashed PetSafe Dog Park is open each and every day: from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM between April and October, and from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM the rest of the year.
The Gatlinburg Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
For all their fabulousness, America’s national parks aren’t usually the most dog-friendly destinations, given many prohibit pooches on trails. But Great Smoky Mountains National Park allows dogs on two of its hiking routes: the Oconaluftee River Trail across North Carolina, and the Gatlinburg Trail, an easy drive from Sevierville on the northwestern edge of the park.
The Gatlinburg Trail makes a 3.8-mile round-trip route between the outskirts of Gatlinburg and the Sugarlands Visitor Center. It shadows the pretty West Prong of the Little Pigeon River, the murmuring company of which both you and Fido are sure to appreciate. Along with breeze-ruffled hardwoods and glossy rhododendron thickets, you’ll spot some old foundations, walls, and other evidence of bygone settlement.
Burchfiel Grove & Arboretum
Dogs are welcome on the paved paths of this beautiful property, which shows off more than 70 species of trees along the West Prong of the Little Pigeon as well as some nice views of the Great Smokies—including the majestic Mount LeConte.
Tanger Outlets Sevierville
The biggest outlet mall in Tennessee, Tanger Outlets Sevierville tempts shoppers with close to 100 stores. The open-air complex allows leashed well-behaved dogs in its common areas. This means you and your best buddy can enjoy the sunshine and indulge in some retail therapy.
Doggywood
Photo Credit by @tobi_kate_nc on Instagram
While you enjoy the rides and shows at Dollywood—the biggest and best-known amusement park in the Volunteer State—your furry friends have Doggywood at their disposal! Only service animals are allowed inside Dollywood. Nevertheless, guests of the park can drop off their dogs for a day in Dogwood’s dozen kennel runs or four “pet cottages,” just a stone’s throw from the ticket area at the front gates.
Doggywood begins accepting its “boarders” a half-hour before Dollywood opens. Your furr-friends need to be picked up within 15 minutes of the park closing.
Great Smokies Flea Market
One of the many charms of the huge Great Smokies Flea Market—along with the 1,000-plus vendors selling everything from local farm-fresh produce to antiques—is the fact that leashed dogs are allowed to accompany their treasure-hunting owners. The Flea Market is located in Kodak, Tennessee, just minutes from Sevierville. It is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. So, bring your pup down for some weekend deals!
Sugarlands Distilling Company
Photo Credit by @drizzy_3og on Instagram
A perfect way to spend an afternoon or evening in Gatlinburg? Kicking back on the outdoor patio at Sugarlands Distilling Co., sipping some of the celebrated moonshine, whiskey, rum, or other spirits, with your dog happily lounging by your side. Additionally, the dog-friendly patio includes its very own bar, so enjoy the vibe together.
Smoky Mountain Knife Works
Claiming to be the largest knife showplace in the world, Smoky Mountain Knife Works is a must-see. Packed to the gills with knives of every description and purpose, not to mention an impressive menagerie of mounted taxidermy. The National Knife Museum includes not only knives from across history but swords and related objects. There are literally thousands of blades available for purchase in the store itself. As it happens, bring a dog inside as long as it’s carried or transported in a pet stroller.
A Sevierville Getaway With Man’s Best Friend
The above aren’t the only dog-friendly spots in and around Sevierville, by any means. However, they should give you an idea of the diversity of options available to you and your faithful buddy!
