Dog Friendly Hiking Trails in Bryson City, NC

There are 3 dog-friendly hiking trails in Bryson City, and 10 more nearby. Use the links below to get an overview of each one, see pictures, print directions, and even read reviews from other dog owners. Coming from out of town? Get a discounted rate on pet friendly hotels in Bryson City.

Pet Friendly Nantahala Bikeway
Nantahala Bikeway The Nantahala Bikeway is one of 1600 rail-trails supported by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that is working to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors. Previously an unused railroad corridor, this "rail-trail" is now a great place to walk Fido in Bryson City! The map below shows a parking area with convenient access to the Nantahala Bikeway. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has generously provided map data for this trail to Bring Fido for informational purposes only. For more detailed trail information, please visit TrailLink.com. See Details
Pet Friendly Bryson City's Island Park
Bryson City's Island Park Bryson City's Island Park is a pet-friendly place in Bryson City, NC. You can bring Fido to join you at this popular park, as long as they are on a leash. About a quarter of the 4.5-acre park is open and shaded with picnic tables for Fido's snacks and dog waste stations so you can clean up any mess that your pooch leaves behind. The rest is heavily wooded with roughly a half-mile of dirt trails that circle around the island and through its center. While you're wandering around the park, you might notice the ruins of an old lumber mill and Bryson City’s largest and oldest tree, a tulip poplar with a 20-foot circumference. See Details
Nantahala River Ferebee Memorial Picnic Area Nantahala River Ferebee Memorial Picnic Area is a pet-friendly picnic place located about 2.75 miles downriver from the Nantahala River Launch site in Bryson City, NC. Ferebee Memorial offers picnic area with tables and charcoal grills, and serves as another launch and take out area. Leashed dogs are welcome, as long as they are cleaned up after. See Details
Gatlinburg Trail The Gatlinburg Trail is one of only two pet-friendly trails in the Great Smoky Mountains near Gatlinburg, TN. The trail extends 1.9 miles one-way from the Sugarlands Visitor Center to the outskirts of the city. Hikers will see beautiful views of the Little Pigeon River and come across foundations and chimneys of several old homesites along the way. See Details
Oconaluftee River Trail The Oconaluftee River Trail is a dog-friendly trail in Cherokee, NC, and is one of two walking paths on which visitors can walk dogs and bicycle in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This pet-friendly trail is a 1.5 mile one-way. It is relatively flat, but does have a few small hills. The trail runs through the forest along side the Oconaluftee River and offers beautiful views of the river. The Oconaluftee River Trail is frequently used by joggers, walkers, and bicyclists. See Details
Rufus Morgan Falls Trail Rufus Morgan Falls Trail in Franklin, NC, is pet friendly. It's a moderately easy, 1 mile hike in Nantahala National Forest that will take about 40 minutes to complete with Fido. This little out of the way trail is a lovely spot that has soft ground and several water sources for Fido. Please note that dogs must be on a leash between April 1 and August 15, but must be under control at all times. See Details
Jackson County Greenway Jackson County Greenway is a pet-friendly trail that's perfect for enjoying a walk with Fido in Sylva, NC. This one-mile paved trail along the Tuckasegee River offers scenic views and sitting benches. Bring your leashed pup along for some exercise and fresh air at this popular recreation area. See Details
Great Smoky Mountains National Park The Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Gatlinburg, TN offers two trails that are dog friendly. Gatlinburg Trail (a 1.9 mile hike from the Sugarland Visitor Center to the outskirts of Gatlinburg, TN) and the Oconaluftee River Trail (a 1.5 mile hike from the Oconaluftee Visitor Center to the outskirts of Cherokee, NC). Please note that dogs are not permitted on any other trails within the park. Dogs are allowed in the campgrounds, picnic areas, and along roads, but must be kept on a leash at all times. Please clean up after your pet. See Details
Wayah Bald Tower Leashed dogs are welcome at Wayah Bald Tower which offers a great pet-friendly hike in Franklin, NC. that leads to awesome view points of four different states. Along the way, you and your pooch will see the Wilson Lick Ranger Station, built in 1913. Continue another 3 miles to Wayah Bald which gives a gorgeous view of the Appalachian Mountains in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. See Details
Nantahala National Forest Nantahala National Forest is a pet-friendly public area in Nantahala, NC. This national forest translates to Land of the Noonday Son in Cherokee. Located near the hip city of Asheville, the forest is full of trails that lead along babbling streams through tall trees. Dogs must be leashed within the forest and all mess should be cleaned up after them to preserve the cleanliness of the area. See Details
Big Bear at Little Tennessee River Greenway Big Bear at Little Tennessee River Greenway is a pet-friendly place in Franklin, NC. Bring Fido for a hike on one of the four miles of trails, where there are gazebos, shelters, restrooms, and convenient parking. There is also a small dog park on site. Bring your own water and waste bags. See Details
Bartram Trail Bartram Trail is pet-friendly. Following the route of 18th-century naturalist William Bartram's southern journey in the 18th century, this section of the trail leads from Wallace Branch to William's Pulpit. Leashed dogs are welcome to join their owners on the path, as long as they are well-behaved and cleaned up after. The trail is just over 4 miles and rated moderate. See Details
Mynatt Park Mynatt Park is a pet-friendly recreation area right outside the bustle of downtown Gatlinburg, TN. You can bring Fido with you for a leisurely stroll along the paved walkways, weaving through grassy lawns, wooded areas, over bridges and along streams. There's also several picnic spots scattered throughout, along with grills, water fountains and restrooms. Please remember to leash and clean up after your pet during your visit. See Details
Bryson City, NC, US