Pet Friendly Road Trip Adventures: Great Smoky Mountains

Adventure Awaits with Ammo the DachshundMy week long road trip recap continues on the blog this week! Last week I shared my adventures in Washington, D.C. and the Shenandoah National Park and then headed on to today’s adventures, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Pet Friendly Road Trip // The Great Smoky Mountains // Ammo the Dachshund

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park // Pet Friendly Travel // Ammo the Dachshund

The Great Smoky Mountains straddles the border of North Carolina and Tennessee and the drive is beautiful with an amazing view of the Smokies.

Skyline Drive // The Smokies // Pet Friendly // Ammo the Dachshund

The Blue Ridge Parkway made my drive that much better, and I couldn’t get enough wind in my face!

The Great Smoky Mountains // Dog Selfie // Ammo the Dachshund

Of course I couldn’t help but stop along a few overlooks to take some selfies. Who doesn’t love a good selfie?

Pet Friendly Smoky Mountains // Ammo the Dachshund

My first stop in the Smokies was the Oconaluftee Visitor Center where I shared a picnic lunch and met up with my Uncle Taylor, who lives in North Carolina, for the day.

Oconaluftee Trail // Pet Friendly Smoky Mountains // Ammo the Dachshund

After lunch I set out to hike the Oconaluftee Trail, one of the two pet friendly trails in the Smoky Mountains National Park. 

Oconaluftee Trail // Pet Friendly Smoky Mountains // Ammo the Dachshund

This 1.5 mile trail (one way) is relatively flat and follows along Oconaluftee River. I probably would have enjoyed a bit more challenging hike, but unfortunately most of the more scenic trails in the park are off limits to dogs. But I’m always one to follow the rules, because they are there to keep everyone safe.

Oconaluftee Trail // Pet Friendly Smoky Mountains // Ammo the Dachshund

I still had a blast taking dips in the river to cool off and despite the fact that this trail isn’t as tucked into the wilderness as I typically like, I got quite a fill of wildlife….

Elk // The Smoky Mountains // Ammo the Dachshund

….I met Elk for the first time!

Elk // The Smoky Mountains // Ammo the Dachshund

Although to me they just looked like smaller than average ponies!

Cherokee N.C. // Pet Friendly // Ammo the Dachshund

After I reached the end of the Oconaluftee trail I was surprised to find myself in the outskirts of a small town, Cherokee, N.C.

Cherokee N.C. // Pet Friendly // Ammo the Dachshund

It was quite the contrast from my nature filled hiking trail, and I found myself suddenly immersed in a touristy town.

Cherokee N.C. // Pet Friendly // Ammo the Dachshund

I had a blast exploring the town, stopping for ice cream, watching other tourists ride the mechanical bull, and I even met some larger than life farm animals! It was a fun little surprise at the end of my trail that I very much enjoyed.

Cherokee N.C. // Pet Friendly // Ammo the Dachshund

Eventually it was time to hit the road again, and I headed off to my accommodations for the night in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

I’ll be back to share more about my road trip adventures the rest of this week, so stay tuned!

Any other pups out there hiked in the Smoky Mountains before? I wish I had had time to check out the other pet friendly trail in the park, the Gatlinburg Trail, but perhaps next time!

P.S. for anyone wondering where my super comfy car travel bed comes from – check out my post about Pet Safe Travel. Ammo the Dachshund // Blog Signature // Celebrity

Pet Friendly Road Trip Adventures: The National Mall, D.C.

Adventure Awaits with Ammo the DachshundRoad trips are something I have been doing since I was just a wee pup, and I’m lucky enough that when my family sets out on an adventure they’re always looking for pet friendly locations so that I can tag along too!

Last week I set out on a week long trek to reach my final destination, the annual BlogPaws Pet Blogging Conference. I have tons to share about my week on the road, but I figured I start with my first stop, The National Mall!

Pet Friendly Travel - The National Mall, Washington D.C. with Ammo the Dachshund

If you’re not familiar with the National Mall, it is a great symbol of the United States. The National Mall is over 1,000 acres of park space in our capital city, Washington, D.C. Inside the National Mall are many memorial parks with iconic monuments and memorials.

Pet Friendly Washington D.C. and the Lincoln Memorial with Ammo the Dachshund

I was lucky enough to visit the National Mall on Memorial Day so there was lots going on to see! The National Mall is pet friendly for all leashed pets and the only areas pets aren’t allowed are on the walkways at the Vietnam and Korean War Memorials and inside the Washington Monument. As a general rule dogs aren’t allowed inside any buildings and covered areas.

National Monument // Pet Friendly Travel with Ammo the Dachshund

My first stop was the Washington Monument! It was built to honor George Washington, (the U.S.’s first president) and towers 555 feet over Washington, D.C.

Washington Monument in Pet Friendly D.C. with Ammo the Dachshund

It was a fairly warm day, but with a cool breeze blowing through the capitol I was loving every minute of it! What a special place to be on a day to remember those who lost their lives fighting for my country.

Pet Friendly Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool with Ammo the Dachshund

Eventually I made my way over to the Reflecting Pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial. I spotted a family of ducklings enjoying the cool water and couldn’t wait to take a dip with them! Sadly mom said she didn’t think the park staff would be too happy if I went for a swim, so alas I didn’t even get to dip a toe in.

Pet Friendly Lincoln Memorial with Ammo the Dachshund

The Lincoln Memorial itself was bustling with visitors and surprisingly I didn’t see many other dogs.

Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C. // Ammo the Dachshund

Family Photos at the Lincoln Memorial with Ammo the Dachshund

Eventually I made my way to the top of the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and while I wasn’t allowed to go inside the monument, I did grab a selfie with my mom and dad on the steps. Apparently we’re all behind the times too, because I didn’t have a selfie stick like the many other visitors that were at the National Mall. I guess I better step my selfie game up!

Police Horse on the National Mall with Ammo the Dachshund

While I didn’t see many dogs during my National Mall excursion, I did spot several mounted police officers. Even though I was only a day into my road trip, it made me miss my ponies even more!

Pet Friendly Vietnam Memorial with Ammo the Dachshund

I also made my way over to the Vietnam Memorial. The area was packed with visitors on Memorial Day and I hung back (pets aren’t allowed on the pathway at the Vietnam Memorial) while Dad went up to check it out. A little side fact, did you know my PopPop actually fought in Vietnam?

Pet Friendly White House, Washington D.C. // Ammo the Dachshund

My last stop before I waved goodbye to the National Mall was of course the White House! I had high hopes I’d spot the Obama Family pets, Sunny & Bo, running on the lawn, but they must have been taking their mid-afternoon nap. Although I did spot a box of bees on the back lawn, who knew the president had honeybee pets?

Pet Friendly Lincoln Memorial with Ammo the Dachshund

I had a blast checking out the National Mall on Memorial Day, and I even got to watch a little bit of the parade and met so many dachshund loving people on my adventure.

Next on my road trip, I was headed to Shenandoah National Park! So stay tuned tomorrow for even more fun, and find out what happened when I came face to face with a BEAR! Ammo the Dachshund // Blog Signature // Celebrity

What did you do with your pups on Memorial Day?