During the summer months, Gatlinburg traffic gets a bit crazy on the Parkway. Getting from point A to point B can feel like a lifetime and usually becomes the most stressful part of your trip!
Well, good news Gatlinburg travelers! Starting on June 17 – August 14 the City of Gatlinburg is offering free Trolley services. The shuttles will operate from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and will be traveling back and forth along the Parkway. The Trolley is Gatlinburg’s most popular means of transportation. In fact, It’s the fifth-largest Mass Transit System in the state! Approximately 800,000 people use the Trolley system annually. Anyone can ride the Trolley’s for they are all handicap accessible.
The Trolleys services approximately 50 miles of Trolley routes, throughout Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Guests can buy a $2 all-day pass for those looking to venture outside of the Parkway. The passes can be purchased at the City Welcome Centers, City Hall and the Mass Transit Center. For more information about the Trolley System visit www.gatlinburgtrolley.org. Click on the GPS Trolley locator and a city map will pin point Trolleys in service.
Of course, there are other ways to avoid traffic in Gatlinburg, and here’s how:
Know peak travel times
The best times to avoid traffic is early in the morning and late at night. From 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. traffic is CRAZY. So plan out your day to leave as early as possible, plan a day of activities and return after dinner hours.
Walk
The easiest way to avoid traffic is to get out and walk! The Gatlinburg Parkway is a straight path full of exciting attractions, shopping and eateries. Park the car at one of the many parking garages outside of the Parkway and make your way into town.
Learn the back roads
Pick up a map and find the back roads. These routes can easily be found on a GPS or google maps. A popular app that the locals use is a smart phone app called Waze. In addition to directions, Waze also highlights the routes with heavy traffic. That way you can plan ahead and find an alternative route. As far as roads within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, stop by the visitor center and pick up a map. Maps can be found at any of the visitors centers or at the GSMNP website.
For any other questions on traffic, feel free to call our office at 1-800-626-3431. Our front desk staff would love to help out in anyway! Or upon check in, ask for a Trolley Map that we have available at the office. Safe travels!
