There is nothing quite as exciting as a memorable Gatlinburg cabin vacation, especially if it is one that the whole family enjoy. Yes, we are talking about your entire family, including your dog! Just like you, your four-legged friend deserves a peaceful break in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, and with the easy-to-follow steps below, you and your pup will be well on your way to planning the perfect pet friendly Gatlinburg vacation in no time!

1. Find the Best Pet Friendly Gatlinburg Cabin

The first step to planning any vacation in the Smoky Mountains is to first find the best pet friendly Gatlinburg cabin for you and your family to stay in. You want a rental that not only has a convenient location to all the fun and exciting things to do in the area, but you also want to make sure it has all the luxury amenities that you and your loved ones need for a peaceful stay. This includes WiFi, outdoor hot tubs, scenic views, ample parking, home theater systems and fully-equipped kitchens.

Click here to look at the best pet friendly cabin rental companies in Gatlinburg.

2. Before You Hit the Road

When you start to plan your pet friendly Gatlinburg vacation, you want to make sure that your dog is up to date on all of his/her shots. This includes yearly vaccines and immunizations. Also, you may want to speak to your vet about giving your dog the Bordetella vaccine. More commonly known as the kennel shot, this vaccine is what most boarders and dog sitters require dogs to have before they are allowed to stay. Although you plan on staying in a pet friendly Gatlinburg cabin and do not intend on boarding your dog, this will come in handy if you want to take advantage of the dog sitting services offered by a few of the area’s popular attractions, including Doggywood at Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country.

Another thing you and your family want to do before hitting the road for your exciting pet friendly Gatlinburg vacation is to make sure that you have packed everything your dog will need during your stay. Here are a few items we encourage families remember to pack:

• Food and water bowls
• Leash, preferably non-retractable
• Collar tags with your phone number
• Extra food
• Collapsible crate
• Blankets from home for pet’s comfort
• Any veterinarian information, including documents of most recent vaccinations

3. What to Do Once You Arrive

Once you have arrived for your family’s peaceful pet friendly Gatlinburg vacation, it is time to sit back and relax. However, before you get too settled, you will want to make sure that you have set up a relaxing place for your pet to unwind in. This is where the collapsible crate and blankets from home that we mentioned earlier come in.

Just like at home, the crate is a quiet place for your pup to stay in either when you are sleeping or when you and your family go out and explore the area. The blankets are for added comfort because they will have the familiar smells from home infused with them.
Outside of preparing your pet’s sleeping area, it is also time to plan out which of the many pet friendly attractions in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge you all want to explore. Not only will this give you and your family a chance to visit your favorite attractions, but it will also allow you to spend some time with your pet while you are on vacation as well.

Here is a brief rundown of a few of our favorite pet friendly attractions in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge we are sure your family will enjoy:

• Doggywood at Dollywood
  • Hours: 30 minutes before the park opens-30 minutes after the park closes
  • Cost: $12-$30, depending on the breed of dog and services requested
  • Website: http://www.dollywood.com/themepark/guest-services/Doggywood.aspx
• The Village Shops in Downtown Gatlinburg
  • Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
  • Cost: Free to window shop
  • Website: http://www.thevillageshops.com/  
• Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum in Gatlinburg
  • Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Cost: $2
• Cades Cove
  • Hours: Sunrise-Sunset
  • Cost: Free
  • Website: http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/cadescove.htm  

Have you ever brought your pet with you to Gatlinburg? Tell us what you like to do during a pet friendly vacation in the Smoky Mountains!