86
White County
The Mountain Traveler • Summer 2014
A hiker walks with her dog along the Rim Trail at Tallulah Gorge State Park. Dogs are allowed on this trail, but not on the steep trail that goes down to the floor of the gorge. Photo/Georgia Department of Natural Resources
On the road with Rover
Planning your pet-friendly vacation
M
ost Americans consider their dogs to be members of the family, so it’s only natural they want to bring their pets when they travel. And in Northeast Georgia, it’s easy to have a pet-friendly vacation. “Dogs are allowed in every campground, as long as they’re leashed,” said Kim Hatcher, spokeswoman for Georgia State Parks. “They’re also allowed on just about every trail.” One of the few state parks that does restrict some access is Tallulah Gorge. For safety reasons, dogs are not allowed on the trail that goes down to the gorge oor though they may walk along the canyon rim) .
By DEBBIE GILBERT, White County News
Dogs are also not allowed at state historic sites. In every state park, dogs are supposed to be on a 6-foot leash at all times. But in the federally-owned Chattahoochee National Forest, the rules are more relaxed. The forest website merely recommends that when hiking, you should “use a leash in crowded areas.” It does specify that dogs must be on a leash while in Forest Service campgrounds “because cars are more prevalent.” If you don’t enjoy camping, there are more comfortable accommodations available in many of the state parks. “Every park that has cottages has at least one set aside for guests with
dogs,” Hatcher said. She added the state can’t allow dogs in every cottage because of the increased maintenance cost. The website gastateparks.org offers a list of all the “Fido-friendly” cottages. “There’s a lot of demand for them, so it’s best to put in your reservation early,” Hatcher said. You can have up to two dogs per cottage, and a $4 5 fee is charged for each dog. Visit the website to read the complete rules and regulations. Keep in mind anywhere you travel in Northeast Georgia, your dog needs to be a good “canine citizen.” If he poses a threat to visitors or wildlife, you may be asked to leave the premises. ■