For the 4th of July holiday this year, we packed our bags and Wralph Raccoon and headed to Townsend, Tennessee. Teddy was ready to explore the great outdoors! My in-laws just moved to Townsend, so we were excited to check out their new city and all it has to offer pups for outdoor fun!
The weather was perfect and a much needed break from Louisiana humidity. The temperatures in the mornings and evenings were in the 60’s, so it was really nice! We took lots of walks for Teddy to sniff and explore. After a 10+ hour car ride, he was ready to stretch his legs as much as possible.
WHERE WE EXPLORED
CADE’S COVE
Cade’s Cove is a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains. We drove the Cade’s Cove loop, enjoying the scenery and stopping to get out and explore periodically. The loop is about 11 miles long. Be prepared to stop frequently as it is a single lane road. There are several spots to get out to explore, including 3 historic churches. You can bring a picnic and have lunch in one of the open fields. There’s also a gift shop you can stop at for some goodies. We picked up some local Apple Butters, Chow Chow, chocolate, and pickles for souvenirs. During the Cade’s Cove drive, keep your eyes open for wildlife. We saw 2 deer running and a black bear climbing a tree!
TREMONT
Our other outing with Teddy included visiting an area called Tremont. There are several areas you can park and walk down to a river. We brought a picnic lunch with us from the Apple Valley Cafe and it was delicious! I would recommend bringing some bug spray for your pet to keep the bugs away. We got this one from the Majestic Dog Boutique in Mandeville, LA and it seemed to work great. Keep your eyes open for snakes if you come here. One of the first things we saw was a snake hiding on the edge of a rock!
Teddy had a great time at Tremont! He was able to get his feet wet and enjoy the sounds of the water! He brought his favorite raccoon with him for some company! Some items we suggest you bring with you if you check it out are:
- Sunscreen (although the trees do provide nice shady coverage)
- Bug Spray (for both you and your pup)
- A blanket or something to sit on
- Water bowl for your pup and water bottles for you
- Picnic lunch
- Life vest for your pup
- Towels
- Baby wipes for your pup’s feet
- Water shoes or shoes that can get wet and have good grip on them. I wore these hiking tennis shoes from Columbia.
WHERE WE ATE
The Apple Valley Cafe: 7138 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN 37882
This place was very welcoming towards pups! There are plenty of tables to sit and dine outside with your pup. They also have an area where you can walk your dog! We tried the chicken salad sandwich, grilled cheese, and fries. It was all really delicious! They even sell a picnic pack, which includes enough chicken salad sandwiches for 4. The gift shop is also dog friendly! Inside you can find things like t-shirts, fudge, local jellies and more!
Elvira’s Cafe: 4143 Wears Valley Rd, Sevierville, TN 37862
Elvira’s had delicious breakfast and had a dog friendly porch and picnic tables outside. We tried the french toast, grits, and bacon with a sweet tea to drink and it did not disappoint. There’s even a pup that comes to visit you sometimes! Next door to Elvira’s, there’s also a nice gift shop, Harper Brothers General Merchandise Store. I’m not sure if they are dog friendly, but you can ask before you go inside. There’s even a Starbucks inside of the gift shop, so you can get your puppacino fix if you need!
WHERE YOU CAN STAY
The Preserve Resort: 3031 Hickory Lodge Drive Sevierville, TN 37862
For this visit, we stayed at my in-laws house, but we went to the area at the beginning of 2020 and stayed at The Preserve Resort. The cabins at The Preserve sit near the top of a mountain with views of the Smokies. It is nice and quiet, a perfect place to relax. If you’re looking to host a special event like a wedding or vow renewal, they have a small Chapel here. Cabin sizes vary but we stayed in a 3 bedroom.
Have you ever been to Townsend, Tennessee? Let us know your favorite dog friendly travel destination!
