Life in Knoxville
Dog Friendly Knoxville
Where to run them off leash, which trails allow them, and which patios actually mean it.
Knoxville is better on this than most cities its size. There are ten public off leash parks, a genuine wilderness with trails ten minutes from downtown, and a real list of patios that welcome dogs rather than tolerating them.
One thing worth knowing before you plan a Smokies day: dogs are prohibited on almost every trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Only two allow leashed pets, and the Gatlinburg Trail is the one on this side. Everywhere else in the park, dogs are limited to roadways, picnic areas and frontcountry campgrounds, on a leash no longer than six feet. People find that out at the trailhead, which is a rough way to start a Saturday.
01
Off leash dog parks
PetSafe Downtown Dog Park
Downtown, Old City
One acre in the middle of downtown with separate small and large dog sides.
PetSafe Dogwood Dog Park
Victor Ashe Park, northwest Knoxville
Wooded off leash acre with ramps, tunnels and jumps, plus a dog fountain.
Charter E. Doyle PetSafe Dog Park
South Knoxville
Two fenced acres split by dog size, with a paved greenway loop alongside.
Holston River PetSafe Dog Park
East Knoxville
Two fenced acres with water access, plus leashed walking on the park greenway.
PetSafe Concord Dog Park
Concord, West Knox County
Nearly four acres inside Concord Park, with a river dock and a dog shower.
Tommy Schumpert PetSafe Dog Park
Fountain City, North Knoxville
Two fenced zones, a mulched walking loop and a pond with a dock.
I.C. King PetSafe Dog Park
South Knox County
Two fenced acres divided by dog size, with shade, benches and a fountain.
Plumb Creek PetSafe Dog Park
Cedar Bluff, West Knoxville
Fenced off leash county park on the west side of town.
PetSafe Village Dog Park
West Knox County
Privately owned and donated for public use: pond, agility gear and walking paths. Access rules vary, so call first.
Karns Dog Park
Knox County SportsPark, Karns
Recently opened county park with separate large and small dog areas and water stations.
02
Trails and greenways, dogs on leash
Ijams Nature Center
South Knoxville
Wooded trails and quarry views where leashed dogs are welcome under the county leash law.
Baker Creek Preserve
South Knoxville, Urban Wilderness
Leashed dogs are welcome on the multi use trails, though not on the downhill bike only runs.
Concord Park and The Cove
Concord, West Knox County
Shoreline loops and singletrack, all open to leashed dogs under county park rules.
House Mountain State Natural Area
Northeast Knox County
The high point of Knox County, with overlook trails where pets must be leashed.
Seven Islands State Birding Park
East Knox County
Meadow and river trails. Dogs are permitted on leash, with cleanup expected.
Gatlinburg Trail
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
One of only two trails in the park that allow leashed pets. See the note below.
Worth asking before you buy
A fenced yard is a search filter. So is a greenway.
Fencing, HOA pet rules, breed and weight restrictions in a condo or a rental, how far you are from a dog park: these are all things I can screen for before you fall in love with a house that will not work.
03
Patios that welcome dogs
Wagbar
North Knoxville
Indoor and outdoor off leash play yards paired with a bar for the people.
Yee-Haw Brewing Co.
North Knoxville
The taproom calls itself dog friendly, but posts no dogs on game days.
Schulz Bräu Brewing Company
North Knoxville
A large German style beer garden where dogs are welcome outdoors.
Pretentious Beer Co.
Downtown
Dog friendly outdoor seating beside a working glass studio you can watch.
Ruby Sunshine
Market Square, downtown
Dogs are welcome on the shaded patio, and there is a menu for them.
Earl’s Knoxville
South Knoxville waterfront
Dogs are welcome on the covered patio looking out over the water.
Camp Honey Coffee
Bearden
Dogs stay outside here, where there is generous seating and winter igloos.
Cruze Farm
Downtown
Bring your dog outdoors for a pup cup. The indoor counter is people only.
04
Rescues, shelters and adoption
Young-Williams Animal Center
Knoxville
The main shelter leading Knox County adoption, with a second Animal Village location.
Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley
West Knoxville
The oldest limited admission shelter in Tennessee, handling adoption, foster and veterinary care.
Small Breed Rescue of East Tennessee
Knoxville area
All foster based rescue placing small breed dogs into permanent homes.
Recycled Best Friends
Knoxville
Volunteer foster rescue that prioritizes seniors and dogs with medical needs.
Vets, boarding and grooming
I will not name names here, but I will on the phone
Knoxville has a broad mix of general practice clinics plus emergency and specialty hospitals that run outside normal clinic hours. The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine is here too, which means referral level specialty care is available locally rather than out of region.
Boarding and daycare range from traditional kennels to suite style facilities and in home sitters, with heavier concentrations in West Knoxville, North Knoxville and along the Farragut corridor. Most require proof of current vaccinations, so confirm records before you book.
Grooming shows up as standalone salons and as a service inside clinics, boarding facilities and pet supply stores. Availability tightens seasonally, so book ahead.
I do not publish specific recommendations for any of these, because who I would send you to depends on your dog. Ask me and I will tell you.
Bring the dog. We will find the yard.
Tell me about your dog and I will factor it into the search from day one, not after we are already under contract.
Hours, seasons, access and rules change, and some places close for weather or maintenance. Please confirm directly before you go. Dailey Dream Homes with Greater Impact Realty has no business relationship with any place named here and receives nothing for including them.