While staying at our pet-friendly cabin rentals in the Smoky Mountains, you’ll find a fun place for your dogs to play right in the heart of Gatlinburg! The Gatlinburg Dog Park is a beautiful facility operated by the City of Gatlinburg that offers an excellent opportunity to have some fun with your faithful companion! The Dog Park is located inside Mills Park, a recreational park just seconds off of Highway 321, and is only a short drive away from our cabins! Here are the top 3 things to know about visiting the Gatlinburg Dog Park:
1. What to Expect
The Gatlinburg Dog Park features a pair of fenced-in areas, one for large dogs and one for small dogs, each of which has a double-gated entrance to prevent dogs from getting loose. Both areas provide lots of space for your dogs to exercise and play-off leash, and you’ll find shaded sections, turfed grass areas, benches, dog-waste bags, and trash cans. In addition, water fountains are accessible outside the gates of the large and small dog park areas. The Dog Park Hours are 8 AM to 9 PM from April 1 to October 31, and 8 AM to 6 PM from November 1 to March 31. Both Gatlinburg residents and guests are welcome to bring their canine friends!
2. History of the Gatlinburg Dog Park
The City of Gatlinburg was one of 15 communities across the state to be awarded a Tennessee Dog Park Dash Grant in June of 2021. The Dog Park Dash grant program, administered by the Boyd Foundation, allocated $25,000 in funds for the construction and development of a dog park in Gatlinburg. The remainder of the project was funded by the City of Gatlinburg. The Dog Park at Mills Park was the 87th such facility to be supported by the Dog Park Dash program in the state. The Gatlinburg Dog Park opened in November of 2021 and was formally opened with a dedication ceremony in March of 2022.
3. Rules and Regulations
There are some rules and regulations in effect at the Gatlinburg Dog Park for the comfort, health, and safety of both dogs and their owners. City officials ask those using the Dog Park to follow all posted rules, including being responsible for their dog’s behavior at all times, leashing dogs while entering and exiting the park, and cleaning up all dog waste immediately. Note that dog handlers must be 16 years of age, and aggressive and/or excessively loud dogs must be removed. Human and dog food, including dog treats, are prohibited, as are aggressive, sick, and dogs in heat.
Other Pet-Friendly Destinations in the Smokies
Some of the other dog-friendly places in Gatlinburg and the Smokies include the Gatlinburg Trail, which is one of the only trails within Great Smoky Mountains National Park that allows dogs! This scenic trail travels 1.9 miles in one direction from the outskirts of Gatlinburg to the Sugarlands Visitor Center within the National Park. You can also take your dog on the Gatlinburg SkyLift to the top of Crockett Mountain and walk the hiking trails there.
As for pet-friendly things to do in Pigeon Forge, dogs are welcome at The Island, as well as local parks such as Patriot Park and Wear Farm City Park. If you travel a bit further north to Sevierville, you’ll find the PetSafe Unleashed Dog Park!
Dog-Friendly Cabin Rentals in Gatlinburg TN
Check out all of our pet-friendly cabins in Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains today to stay just minutes away from the Gatlinburg Dog Park and other dog-friendly attractions and restaurants! We look forward to welcoming you and your furry companion to the Smokies!
