Townsend, TN

Over the winter holiday break, Thea went on a short excursion to Townsend, TN with family members to camp for a few days and explore around. While we did find some dog-friendly experiences, we also found some non-dog-friendly experiences. Our three day relaxing getaway was much appreciated.

The drive to Townsend from our home is approximately five and a half hours without stops. We drove down and joined Thea's generous & lovely grand-pawrents at Big Meadow Family Campground for some RV camping. This campground was really lovely and had walking access into spots along the town. It was also situated along a creek and was very clean. There was also a small dog park! We enjoyed the convenience of this space. There is also a campground cat we adored who lives in the office. VERY pleased about that.

We were not far from Cades Cove in the Smoky Mountain National Park; this valley has a lot of opportunities for viewing wildlife, taking the scenic drive, biking, hiking, and horseback riding (to name a few). There is also camping located here. We did not look ahead of time and learned the trails here are primarily not dog-friendly. There are some open spaces you can adventure around, but trail hiking does not allow dogs due to bears. A park ranger told us there is very limited dog-friendly hiking within the area beyond Cades Cove as well, so we weren't able to do much hiking this trip. It's also not encouraged to take your dogs into the historic cabins around the loop drive. We did find that Thea loved looking out at the wildlife, but sometimes she became really excited and simultaneously frustrated that she couldn't be out with the other animals. This is something to consider when driving the loop to make sure your dog is safely secured or will feel comfortable potentially seeing bears, deer, birds, and other wildlife throughout the area. We also explored around the campground/stream area with the puppers.

Another activity for the humans in Cades Cove is horseback riding. We were able to do this due to Thea's grand-paw staying behind with the dogs and relaxing in the park/car on a temperate day that was safe for them to do so. The staff at the stables were helpful and communicated the dogs cannot go near the horses, as the horses do not always respond well - so for the dogs' and horses' safety, be sure to remain a safe distance away.

Overall, driving the loop is an enjoyable, laid-back activity for you and your dog - but it is not an active activity.

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In Townsend, we found a restaurant (Peaceful Side Social) we adored that not only allowed dogs - they encouraged dogs. The covered outdoor patio had carabiners installed on posts to attach your dog's leash to so they could have some freedom while humans enjoy food and drinks. The food was vegetarian-friendly and had some really delicious options.

Townsend also has a bike/walking trail that winds through the town. This helps make up for the lack of dog-friendly hiking in the area and you can access many of the local eateries and shops (some of which are dog-friendly when you ask) along the parkway.

During this trip, we did not travel over to Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. We kept this trip very low-key to relax and not overbook ourselves. Overall, Townsend was doable as a dog-friendly location, but it wasn't as accessible for the dogs as we always hope for. We loved the coffee shops, chocolate store, and other restaurants that were doable for us as we had someone stay back with the dogs each time we needed to go in somewhere not overtly dog-friendly. If this is an option for you or your dog is comfortable staying back in the camper while you explore, then Townsend is a cute and quick Tennessean getaway. The scenery and history make this a trip we do recommend if it makes sense for you and your dog!