If you’ve followed our adventures for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed one thing—we’re mountain people.
While we certainly enjoy visiting beaches and coastal destinations, our hearts always seem to find their way back to the mountains. There’s something about winding mountain roads, scenic overlooks, cozy cabin rentals, waterfalls, and cooler temperatures that instantly helps us relax.
As a family traveling with our Miniature Schnauzer, we’ve also found that many mountain destinations are incredibly dog-friendly. Whether we’re hiking a trail, strolling through a small-town downtown area, relaxing on a cabin porch, or taking in a scenic overlook, our four-legged travel companion is usually right there with us.
At approximately 18 pounds, she’s small enough to comfortably ride in her carry pouch when terrain becomes challenging but active enough to enjoy many of the adventures we love. Whether she’s walking on her leash or riding in her pouch, she’s happiest simply being part of the journey.
Over the years, we’ve explored mountain destinations throughout Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and South Carolina. These are some of the places we find ourselves returning to again and again.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Gatlinburg is one of those destinations that feels exciting every time we visit.
Located at the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg offers a wonderful combination of mountain scenery, outdoor recreation, family attractions, shopping, and dining.
What We Love About Gatlinburg
- Exploring downtown Gatlinburg
- Scenic mountain drives
- The Gatlinburg SkyLift
- Anakeesta
- Shopping and dining
- Cabin rentals with mountain views
One of our favorite activities is simply walking around downtown Gatlinburg and exploring the shops.
Unfortunately, not every store is pet-friendly, so our Miniature Schnauzer isn’t always able to go inside with us. However, there are plenty of outdoor areas where she can join us while we enjoy the atmosphere and mountain scenery.
At the end of the day, we love returning to a cozy mountain cabin and relaxing while taking in the views.
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Just a short drive from Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge has become another family favorite.
We often combine both destinations into the same trip.
Why We Enjoy Pigeon Forge
- Dollywood
- The Island in Pigeon Forge
- Family attractions
- Mountain coasters
- Dinner shows
- Shopping
- Family-friendly restaurants
Like Gatlinburg, we enjoy spending time walking around town and browsing local shops.
Not every business allows dogs inside, so there are times when one of us stays outside with our schnauzer while the others explore. Fortunately, there are plenty of outdoor areas where she can still be part of the adventure.
Beech Mountain, North Carolina
Beech Mountain has become one of our favorite places to escape the South Carolina summer heat.
The cooler temperatures and mountain scenery make it a destination we look forward to visiting every year.
Why We Love Beech Mountain
- Cooler summer weather
- Scenic mountain views
- Hiking opportunities
- Relaxed atmosphere
- Beautiful vacation rentals
One of our favorite activities is hiking with our Miniature Schnauzer and taking in the incredible mountain views.
The fresh mountain air, cooler temperatures, and peaceful scenery make Beech Mountain one of our favorite places to spend time outdoors together.
Banner Elk, North Carolina
Banner Elk is one of those mountain towns that immediately feels welcoming.
Its combination of local businesses, mountain scenery, and relaxed atmosphere keeps us coming back year after year.
Favorite Things About Banner Elk
- Charming downtown area
- Local restaurants
- Scenic mountain views
- Hiking opportunities
- Pet-friendly atmosphere
There is one stop that has become mandatory whenever we visit Banner Elk.
My Best Friend’s Barkery
Our Miniature Schnauzer absolutely loves visiting My Best Friend’s Barkery.
Every trip to Banner Elk includes a stop here, and she seems to know exactly where we’re going before we even get there. It’s become one of our family’s favorite traditions and one of the most dog-friendly shops we’ve visited.
Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina
Few places in North Carolina offer views quite like Grandfather Mountain.
Our Favorite Experiences
- Mile High Swinging Bridge
- Scenic overlooks
- Wildlife habitats
- Photography opportunities
- Nature exhibits
Our Miniature Schnauzer enjoys visiting Grandfather Mountain, but there’s one exception.
She will only cross the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge from the comfort of her carry pouch.
At approximately 18 pounds, she’s easy to carry, and the pouch allows her to safely enjoy the experience while taking in the incredible views with us.
Boone, North Carolina
Boone perfectly combines mountain charm with plenty of activities and conveniences.
What We Enjoy in Boone
- Walking around downtown
- Local shops
- Seasonal festivals
- Nearby hiking trails
- Scenic drives
- Blue Ridge Parkway access
We particularly enjoy spending time walking around downtown Boone and exploring the nearby hiking trails.
Boone’s central location also makes it an excellent base for exploring other High Country destinations.
Sugar Mountain, North Carolina
Many people associate Sugar Mountain primarily with skiing, but we’ve found that it’s beautiful year-round.
Why We Enjoy Sugar Mountain
- Hiking trails
- Scenic chairlift rides
- Mountain views
- Cooler temperatures
- Family-friendly atmosphere
When we visit Sugar Mountain, we spend much of our time enjoying the hiking trails and taking in the mountain scenery.
The views alone make the trip worthwhile.
Helen, Georgia
Helen is one of the most unique mountain towns we’ve visited.
Modeled after a Bavarian village, it feels completely different from any other destination in the Southeast.
What Makes Helen Special
- Bavarian-inspired architecture
- Mountain scenery
- Local restaurants
- Unique shopping
- Nearby waterfalls
One of our favorite activities in Helen is hiking to Anna Ruby Falls with our Miniature Schnauzer.
The waterfall is beautiful, the trail is family-friendly, and it’s become a must-do activity whenever we visit the area.
Clemson and the South Carolina Foothills
While Clemson isn’t usually considered a mountain town, the surrounding foothills offer easy access to some incredible outdoor destinations.
Things We Enjoy Near Clemson
- Lake Hartwell
- Lake Keowee
- Clemson Botanical Garden
- Scenic drives
- Hiking trails
- Waterfalls
One of our favorite adventures in the area is hiking through Stumphouse Tunnel and visiting Issaqueena Falls with our schnauzer.
The area also offers several additional waterfall hikes where visitors can enjoy beautiful scenery and cool mountain water.
Another favorite destination is the Clemson Botanical Garden. Much of the garden is dog-friendly, making it a wonderful place for a relaxing walk with your pup.
What Makes a Great Mountain Destination for Families and Dogs?
After years of exploring mountain towns, we’ve noticed that our favorite destinations often share a few common characteristics.
We Look For
- Pet-friendly accommodations
- Outdoor recreation
- Scenic drives
- Walkable downtown areas
- Hiking opportunities
- Family-friendly attractions
- Cooler temperatures
- Relaxed atmosphere
These features help create vacations where everyone—including our Miniature Schnauzer—can enjoy the experience.
Why We Keep Returning to the Mountains
People often ask whether we prefer mountains or beaches.
While we enjoy both, the mountains usually win.
There’s something about:
- Mountain sunrises
- Cabin porches
- Scenic overlooks
- Hiking trails
- Waterfalls
- Small-town charm
- Cooler temperatures
that simply feels relaxing to us.
Traveling with our Miniature Schnauzer is often easier in mountain destinations as well. Many trails, campgrounds, outdoor attractions, and vacation rentals welcome dogs, allowing us to include her in much of the experience.
Whether we’re staying in a cabin, exploring a new town, hiking to a waterfall, or sitting around a campground after a day of adventure, mountain vacations consistently provide some of our favorite family memories.
Family Travel Tips
When visiting mountain destinations as a family, we always recommend:
- Allowing extra travel time for scenic stops
- Packing layers for changing mountain weather
- Researching pet-friendly attractions in advance
- Booking accommodations early during peak seasons
- Bringing snacks and water for longer drives
Dog-Friendly Travel Tips
Before every mountain trip with our Miniature Schnauzer, we bring:
- Leash and harness
- Portable water bottle
- Collapsible travel bowl
- Dog carry pouch
- Favorite toys
- Fetch balls
- Dog blanket
- Waste bags
- Treats
Frequently Asked Questions
What is your favorite mountain destination?
It’s difficult to choose just one, but Gatlinburg, Beech Mountain, Banner Elk, and Grandfather Mountain are destinations we consistently return to.
Are these mountain destinations dog-friendly?
Many of them are very dog-friendly, especially outdoor attractions, hiking trails, campgrounds, vacation rentals, and downtown areas.
What mountain destination is best for cooler summer temperatures?
Beech Mountain is one of our favorite places to escape South Carolina summer heat due to its higher elevation and cooler temperatures.
Does your Miniature Schnauzer hike with you?
Yes. She enjoys hiking many mountain trails. For more challenging terrain or destinations like waterfalls and overlooks, she often rides comfortably in her carry pouch.
What is your schnauzer’s favorite mountain destination?
Banner Elk is always near the top of her list because it includes a visit to My Best Friend’s Barkery.
Do you prefer mountains or beaches?
While we enjoy both, we almost always find ourselves returning to the mountains.
Final Thoughts
One of the things we love most about mountain travel is that every destination offers something a little different.
Some provide adventure.
Some offer relaxation.
Some surprise us with hidden gems we never expected to find.
Yet all of them give us the opportunity to spend time together as a family while exploring beautiful places with our Miniature Schnauzer.
Whether we’re walking through downtown Gatlinburg, hiking the trails of Beech Mountain, stopping at My Best Friend’s Barkery in Banner Elk, crossing the Mile High Swinging Bridge at Grandfather Mountain with our schnauzer safely tucked into her carry pouch, or hiking to Anna Ruby Falls in Helen, each destination creates memories that keep us coming back.
The mountains offer something we never seem to get tired of—cooler temperatures, scenic overlooks, waterfalls, winding roads, cozy cabins, and endless opportunities to explore together.
For our family, mountain destinations aren’t just places we visit. They’re places that have become part of our story.
If you’re searching for a family-friendly and dog-friendly getaway, any of these destinations would be a wonderful place to start.
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