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If you’re planning a trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, be sure to check out the Gatlinburg trolley! This post will tell you everything you need to know about using the trolley to get around town.
We’ll cover how it works, where to park, where it goes, and how much it costs. Plus, we’ll give you some tips for making the most of your trolley experience. So read on for all the details!
Introduction to the Gatlinburg Trolley
Created in 1980, the Trolley System began with just 6 trolleys. Today, that number has grown to 20 trolleys that service the locals and visitors of Gatlinburg, TN.
Download a trolley map here.
You can even see where the trolley is via the map here!
How Does it Work?
The Gatlinburg Trolley is a free service provided by the City of Gatlinburg, so all you have to do is hop on a trolley at any stop and enjoy the ride!
Trolley Hours
Trolleys operate 365 days a year (including holidays such as Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years Day) on two routes within the city, and one route runs through the Arts and Crafts Community, but only during certain times of year.
March through April: 10:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
May through October: 8:30 a.m. – 12 midnight
November through February: Sunday through Thursday 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 10:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Where Should I Park?
If you are looking to ride the trolley to get around town, park at the Park N Ride at the Gatlinburg Welcome Center. This is a great way to get into Gatlinburg without having to worry about where to park or paying for parking.
There is another free Park N Ride lot located next to Gatlinburg City Hall on East Parkway.
If you do choose to park elsewhere, you can still hop on the trolley at any stop to get around town without walking everywhere you go.
Where Does the Trolley Go?
There are three Gatlinburg trolley routes: purple, blue and yellow.
Purple Route
This trolley will pick you up at the Gatlinburg Welcome Center (where you can leave your car at the Park N Ride). From the Gatlinburg Welcome Center, the trolley will travel down River Road servicing Ski Mountain Road. It will then continue onto the Parkway and make a stop at the Mass Transit Center downtown. The route will end back at the Gatlinburg Welcome Center.
Departs approximately every 45 minutes.
Blue Route
This is the trolley that will pick you up from the Park N Ride near City Hall.
The route begins at the Gatlinburg Mass Transit Center and runs along Parkway to US Highway 321 East Parkway to Rocky Top Sports World up to the Gatlinburg Community Center before returning to the downtown area, where it stops at the Transit Center at the Aquarium. The route then continues south on the Parkway, Highway 441, turning left onto Historic Nature Trail/Airport Road to the Park Vista. From the Park Vista, the route will travel Cherokee Orchard Road, servicing Baskins Creek, Stephens Drive, and Woliss Lane accessing the Parkway, then completes its route at the Gatlinburg Mass Transit Center.
This trolley also departs approximately every 45 minutes.
Yellow Route
The yellow route services the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community and begins running in April. This route is seasonal, so check to see if it is running before planning on riding this trolley route.
Check out the trolley map here
How Much Does it Cost?
While Pigeon Forge trolleys have a fare that requires exact change, the Gatlinburg Trolley System is free! There are no fares or fees to ride any of the trolleys.
Be aware, though, if you are planning on riding trolleys into Pigeon Forge that you will have to pay fares once you leave Gatlinburg.
Tips for Using the Trolley to Get Around Gatlinburg
Now that you know all about the Trolley System, here are a few tips for using it to get around town:
- The trolleys run on a regular schedule, so be sure to check the schedule before planning your day.
- All of the trolleys are handicap accessible and they have an ADA policy.
- You can bring your stroller or wheelchair on the trolley, but you may have to fold it up to fit onboard.
- The trolleys are open air, so your experience may depend on the weather at time of year you ride.
- If you want to explore Gatlinburg without having to worry about parking, the trolley is a great option.
- The trolleys are free to ride, so take advantage of them to save on parking and get around town easily.
- The trolleys only stop at designated trolley stops, so make sure you are at a stop to use the trolley service.
- Remember that the yellow trolley route is seasonal.
Contact Information for the Gatlinburg Trolleys
Gatlinburg Mass Transit
88 River Road, Suite 101
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Tel: 865-436-3897
Fax: 865-430-1316
TDD: 1-800-848-0298
Common Questions about the Gatlinburg Trolley
The Gatlinburg Trolley is free to ride. There are no fares or fees.
The trolleys run on a regular schedule approximately every 45 minutes.
This Trolley System only services the City of Gatlinburg. You can get on a Pigeon Forge trolley at the Gatlinburg Welcome Center, but you will have to pay fares to ride any trolleys into Pigeon Forge.
This Trolley System only services the City of Gatlinburg. You can get on a trolley that will take you to Dollywood at the Gatlinburg Welcome Center, but you will have to pay fares to ride any trolleys into Pigeon Forge.
Final Thoughts on the Gatlinburg Trolley
The Gatlinburg Trolley system is a great way to get around town without having to worry about parking. The trolleys are free to ride and run on a regular schedule, so you can easily plan your day using them. All of the trolleys are handicap accessible, and there is no fare required to ride them.
You can use the trolley to check out all the great sites in town: the Gatlinburg Space Needle, Ober Gatlinburg, the Gatlinburg Convention Center, and it offers convenient access to hundreds of hotel rooms along the Gatlinburg Parkway.
Be sure to check out the map of the routes before planning your day in downtown Gatlinburg, as some of the trolleys have different routes. Have fun exploring Gatlinburg using the convenient and easy-to-use Gatlinburg Trolley System!
