Beautiful hike!

We hiked this trail yesterday and it was beautiful. This is one of two dog-allowed trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s a very easy hike—almost totally flat. You can park at either end, but if you park at the Ocanoluftee Visitor Center inside the park, you will need to buy a parking pass ($5 for the entire day gets you parking anywhere in the park). The drive to the visitor center is very scenic. Just a couple of cautions: First, part of the trail is covered with crushed rock, so if your dog isn’t accustomed to a surface like that, I recommend shoes. Second, the trailheads are well-marked, but there is almost no signage on the trail. The trail itself is well-defined, so it’s not a huge deal, but we’re new hikers and it would have been nice to have a sign or two. Dogs aren’t allowed inside the visitor center, but there are a few vending machines for drinks and a water-bottle filler near the restrooms, and you can access these with your pup in tow.

Apr. 16, 2024