Gatlinburg Trolley

Gatlinburg Trolley

One of the best practical secrets in the Smoky Mountains — a free, year-round public transit system running four color-coded routes throughout Gatlinburg.

Whether you're avoiding the parking situation on a busy fall weekend, getting from the Welcome Center to downtown without moving your car, or reaching the Arts & Crafts Community without making a separate trip, the trolley handles it at no cost. It's easy to use and one of the most underutilized advantages of visiting Gatlinburg.

Looking for a cabin near the trolley system? Browse our Gatlinburg cabin rentals.

How it works

The trolley system is operated by the City of Gatlinburg's Mass Transit Department and runs 365 days a year. All routes are free — no fare, no ticket, no app required. Find a stop along your route and board.

Each route is identified by a color and serves a different part of the city. Board at any stop on your route, exit at any stop, and trolleys circulate continuously through operating hours.

Pigeon Forge connection: the Pigeon Forge Mass Transit system stops at the Gatlinburg Welcome Center, so riders can coordinate travel between the two cities.

The four routes

Red Route — downtown and the national park

The most popular route and the one most visitors use first. It originates at the Mass Transit Center at Ripley's Aquarium and covers River Road, Ski Mountain Road, the Parkway between traffic lights 8 and 10, the Convention Center, Airport Road, Park Vista Hotel, Cherokee Orchard Road, and Baskins Creek Road.

Notable connections on the Red Route:

• Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies — the route's origination point and the Mass Transit Center hub
• Ober Gatlinburg — Ski Mountain Road access, or board the aerial tram from downtown
• Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail — a 5.5-mile scenic drive through mountain streams, old-growth forest, and historic log cabins
• Gatlinburg Trail — a 1.9-mile flat trail from Sugarlands Visitor Center to the edge of downtown, and one of only two trails in the park where dogs are permitted

Yellow Route — Arts & Crafts Community

Runs from the Mass Transit Center along the eight-mile Glades and Buckhorn loop to the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community — one of the largest self-contained collections of artisans in the country, with local artists selling pottery, paintings, handmade quilts, woodwork, and traditional Appalachian crafts. Other stops include the Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum and the Arts and Crafts Village.

The full loop takes about an hour, so plan accordingly. Available seasonally — check gatlinburg.com/trolley for the current schedule.

Blue Route — East Parkway and community

Departs from the Park N' Ride lot next to City Hall and covers East Parkway, the Community Center, Rocky Top Sports World, the Library, and the Mass Transit Center. Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, with exhibitions and classes in visual arts and crafts, is accessible from this route.

Purple Route — North Parkway and Welcome Center

Runs along North Parkway, connecting the Spur Welcome Center Park and Ride to the Mass Transit Center. Stops include Ripley's Davy Crockett Mini-Golf and the Gatlinburg Welcome Center, where the Pigeon Forge trolley connection and a Dollywood info center are located.

Park and ride

Leave your car here and ride the trolley into town. It's the cleanest solution to Gatlinburg's peak-season parking, and it eliminates circling for a spot on a busy weekend. The Welcome Center is also where the Pigeon Forge system connects, making it a natural hub for multi-city planning.

Hours

The trolley operates 365 days a year, with hours varying by season — longer in spring, summer, and through the fall foliage season, and reduced on winter weekdays.

Confirm current hours at gatlinburg.com/trolley before you rely on it, since hours shift seasonally and may vary during special events and holidays.

Accessibility

All Gatlinburg trolleys are ADA equipped. The tracking app also provides audible stop announcements onboard.

Tips for using the trolley

• Download the app before you arrive. Real-time locations and arrival estimates beat guessing at a stop
• Park at the Welcome Center. Free, unlimited, and you skip the downtown parking game entirely
• Use the Yellow Route for the Arts & Crafts Community. It's an eight-mile loop — don't try to walk it. The trolley makes the whole community accessible in about an hour
• The Red Route is your downtown workhorse. The Parkway, the aquarium, and Ober access all sit on it
• Check hours seasonally. Year-round service, but winter weekdays run more limited

Where the trolley takes you

The system connects directly to most of Gatlinburg's top attractions. See our things to do guide for more on each.

• Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies — Red Route origination point
• Ober Gatlinburg — Red Route to Ski Mountain Road, then the aerial tram
• Anakeesta — gondola from the Parkway; Red Route
• Gatlinburg SkyPark — Red Route
• Gatlinburg Space Needle — Red Route
• Ripley's Believe It or Not! and Haunted Adventure — both Red Route
• Mysterious Mansion — River Road; Red Route
• Hillbilly Golf — Red Route
• Crockett's Breakfast Camp — Red Route
• Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community — Yellow Route exclusively
• Moonshine tastings and Parkway dining — Red Route

Frequently asked questions

Is the Gatlinburg Trolley really free?

Yes — all routes are free to ride. No fare, no ticket, no pass required.

Does it run year-round?

Yes, 365 days a year. Hours vary seasonally — confirm at gatlinburg.com/trolley.

How do I track it in real time?

Download the free "Gatlinburg Trolleys" app on iOS or Android, or check gatlinburg.com/trolley for locations and trip planning.

Where is the Park N' Ride?

At the Gatlinburg Welcome Center, 1011 Banner Road, just off the Spur before entering downtown. Free parking, unlimited time.

Can I get to Pigeon Forge on the trolley?

Not directly, but the Purple Route reaches the Welcome Center, where the Pigeon Forge Mass Transit system connects. From there you can board the Pigeon Forge trolley toward Dollywood, The Island, and other destinations.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes — all trolleys are ADA equipped.

How often does it run?

Frequency varies by route and season. The app shows current locations and estimated arrival times for each stop.

Can I take the trolley to my cabin?

Generally no — the trolley serves downtown and the main corridors, not the residential mountain roads where most cabins sit. Plan on driving to a stop or to the Park N' Ride and riding from there.