Gatlinburg Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community Map and Guide

The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community in Gatlinburg is the largest independent community of artisans in the United States — more than 80 independent artists and craftspeople along an 8-mile loop road through the Glades, a peaceful forested community 3 miles east of downtown Gatlinburg. Everything sold here was made by the person in the booth. Here's how to make the most of a visit.

How to Get There

From the Gatlinburg Parkway, turn at Traffic Light #3 onto East Parkway/Highway 321 North. Drive approximately 3 miles east to the beginning of the community. Follow Glades Road to Buckhorn Road and back to Highway 321 — turn right, and you'll complete the 8-mile loop when you return to Glades Road. Free parking is available at virtually every workshop and village stop along the route.

The loop road runs through a quiet forested community that feels specifically different from the downtown Parkway — no chain restaurants, no dinner shows, no ride attractions. The Glades has the character of a working artists' community that's been developing organically since the 1930s, when Gatlinburg artisans began relocating from downtown to work from their homes in the quieter hill community east of town.

The Free Trolley Option

Park at the Gatlinburg Welcome Center — shown on the community map at the lower left corner of the loop — and take the free Gatlinburg Trolley. The Yellow Route circles the Arts & Crafts Community loop with multiple stops, and you can board and exit as many times as you want throughout the day. The trolley makes the loop accessible without managing parking at each stop — useful on busy weekends when the more popular workshops fill their parking areas. Check gatlinburg.com for current trolley schedules and routes.

What You'll Find

More than 80 independent artists and craftspeople work in studios and workshops along the loop — a mix of disciplines rather than a single specialty. Pottery, woodcrafts, jewelry, candles, baskets, handmade toys, paintings, leather goods, glassware, and textile arts including quilts. Most workshops are grouped in named villages — Buie's Landing, Morning Mist Village, and others — but villages aren't organized by craft type, so you'll find a broad mix in each one.

The specific quality of the Arts & Crafts Community that separates it from a craft fair or a gift shop corridor: the people making the work are present in the studios. Watch a potter throwing at the wheel, a woodcarver cutting at the bench, a glass artist working at the kiln. The purchase is directly from the maker, who can tell you specifically how it was made, what materials were used, and where those materials came from. That context changes what the object means once you get it home.

Hands-On Sessions

A number of workshops offer hands-on crafting sessions where artisans guide you in making your own piece — pottery, candles, jewelry, and other mediums depending on the studio. Look for businesses marked with a red asterisk on the community map, available at most workshops and at the Welcome Center. Hands-on sessions typically require advance booking — check individual studio websites or call ahead. Fowler's Clay Works is among the most highly reviewed for hands-on pottery sessions, particularly for families.

Where to Eat

Split Rail Eats (849 Glades Road) — The most consistently recommended dining stop on the loop. American comfort food in a casual setting: cheeseburger bowls, cheese curds, sandwiches, and hearty appetizers. One of the higher-rated restaurants in the entire Gatlinburg area. Expect a wait on busy weekends.

Glades Soda Fountain — A community institution: homemade milkshakes made on vintage 1940s mixers at a classic soda counter. The kind of experience that belongs to the Glades' unhurried character. Worth stopping for the atmosphere as much as the milkshake.

Gatlinburg Grind — Coffee on the loop for the morning visit. The right start before working through the full 8-mile route.

Morning Mist Cafe — A cafe option in the heart of the community for a sit-down break mid-loop.

When to Visit

Most workshops are open Tuesday through Sunday year-round, with Monday as the typical day off. The community observes a few annual closure windows — check greatsmokyartsandcrafts.com for the current year's schedule before planning your visit.

Fall (October) — The 8-mile loop road runs through the Glades' forested terrain, which turns color in October. Browsing the community with fall foliage on both sides of the road and the mountain ridgeline visible through the trees is the most atmospheric version of the visit. The October Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair at the Convention Center runs concurrently, making October the month to plan around if craft shopping is the focus of the trip.

Spring and summer — Full operating hours, all workshops open, and the green Glades foliage at its densest. Longer days mean more time on the loop before dark. The July Craftsmen's Fair at the Convention Center coincides with summer peak season.

Winter — The quietest and most intimate time to visit. Fewer crowds, easy parking at every stop, and the specific experience of a wood-fire studio on a cold Smokies day. Check individual studio hours as some reduce winter hours.

Planning Tips

Allow a full day. The 8-mile loop with 80+ stops, hands-on sessions, and meals can easily fill 6–8 hours. Most guests who rush it wish they hadn't.

Bring cash. Many independent artisans prefer cash or may charge a card fee. Most studios do accept cards, but cash is the smoother option for smaller purchases.

Pick up the map. The printed community map is available at virtually every workshop and at the Welcome Center. It's more useful than a phone for navigating the loop — it shows the location of restrooms, trolley stops, dining, and hands-on studios in one view.

Four public restrooms are located along the loop road — marked on the community map.

The Arts & Crafts Community is 3 miles from downtown Gatlinburg — a 10-minute drive from most Colonial Properties Gatlinburg cabin rentals. Browse Gatlinburg cabins →

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to see the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community?

A full day — 6 to 8 hours — covers the loop with time to browse, do a hands-on session, and stop for meals. A focused 3–4 hour visit covers the highlights without every stop.

Is there an admission fee to visit the Arts & Crafts Community?

No — the community loop road and all workshops are free to enter. Individual hands-on crafting sessions have a fee that varies by studio and session type.

Is the Gatlinburg Trolley free?

The Gatlinburg Trolley runs a free Yellow Route serving the Arts & Crafts Community loop. Park at the Welcome Center and board the trolley for unlimited on/off access throughout the day. Check gatlinburg.com for current trolley hours and schedules.

How far is the Arts & Crafts Community from Gatlinburg?

About 3 miles east of downtown Gatlinburg via East Parkway/Highway 321 North — a 5–10 minute drive from the Parkway depending on traffic.

When is the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community open?

Most workshops are open Tuesday through Sunday year-round, with some annual closure windows. Check greatsmokyartsandcrafts.com for the current year's schedule before visiting.