Everyone has seen the parking lots in Gatlinburg. There are some lots that are owned by the city and other lots that are run by the businesses next to them or run as businesses themselves. The city-owned lots are larger and the prices are the same from lot to lot. There are also two parking garages in Gatlinburg, one beside Ripley’s Aquarium and one located at traffic light 3. These two garages provide a lot of parking space compared to the space they take up. On River Road there are several privately owned parking lots. Unlike the public lots, which are based on one flat rate, the privately owned lots sometimes have deals depending on how long you are in the lot. If you are just staying for a little while or visiting just one location you may want to check the private lots out.

River Road is the land of free parking. From the traffic light beside Ripley’s Aquarium you can turn down River Road. The parking is along the right hand side and runs almost all the way down the road with very few exceptions. To get parking along River Road you need to get there early or be lucky. Most locals that work in Gatlinburg and arrive early, park on River Road. If you are headed to Gatlinburg for breakfast it might be worth a trip down River Road to see if there is a space open. If you come in late there is still a chance as people come and go all day long in Gatlinburg.

Another option is mass transit. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge both have an amazing trolley system. When you are headed into Gatlinburg from Pigeon Forge, you will pass the Gatlinburg welcome center. Next to the Welcome Center, you will find one of the free parking lots that is a stop for the trolleys. Park your car at the trolley station and then ride the trolley for $0.50 per person per ride. All the trolleys stop at the Aquarium and there are trolley stops throughout Gatlinburg. Free parking and a 50-cent ride on a trolley is a great deal.

When you are heading to Gatlinburg keep your parking options in mind. Find a lot to park in, take your chances of finding a free space on River Road or simply park and ride the trolley. The city has given you several options and you will find the best part about Gatlinburg is that it is small enough to walk end to end easily; and being able to wander the streets is part of the magic.

Article fromInside Gatlinburg, TN

Parking in Gatlinburg

For all you planners and trip advisers, we’ve posted the average daily temperatures below as well as a link to find the current weather conditions and forecast in Gatlinburg, Tn:

Average temperatures in Gatlinburg, TN

Insider tip:
Get weather and road condition information in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN by calling:
Using your cell phone in TN: 511
Nationally: 1-877-244-0065
Locally in Pigeon Forge: (865)436-1200

Article fromInside Gatlinburg, TN

Gatlinburg’s Winter Weather Forecast

Figuring out when the color in the leaves will peak can be very tricky…like predicting the weather. A good rule of thumb that defines a brilliant fall is dry weather with cool (not freezing) temperatures in October. There are obviously other factors, but those two are a common necessity. Colors usually peak around the last half of October with the higher elevations changing color first and then trickling down into the valley. So how can you figure out if the color is peaking before you visit Gatlinburg? Luckily, the internet can help!

There are two webcams available in the mountains that can show you exactly what the leaves look like! Simply keep track of these two cams to see when the leaves begin to change. Once you start noticing the majority of the leaves changing color, then most of the valley and surrounding mountains should be lit up with color within two weeks.

Webcam from Look Rock

Webcam from Purchase Knob

The Tennessee State Department of Tourist Development has an excellent website with Fall Foliage information available at: http://fall.tnvacation.com . On their site you will find:

• Scenic Route Guides
• Fall Color Forecasts
• Photo Gallery
• E-Cards
• Outdoor Activities
• Why and How Leaves Change Color
• And so much more!

One last tip is to avoid coming to Gatlinburg on the weekend if at all possible. The busiest days are Friday-Sunday for obvious reasons. If you absolutely have to come on a weekend, either arrive before 5pm on Friday and then leave after 2pm on Sunday or else you will hit massive traffic if you have to travel in or out through Pigeon Forge. More traffic tips can be seen at our sister Pigeon Forge website as well. Even if you hit traffic, the leaves, events, activities, weather, etc make for one incredible visit. Besides…sitting in traffic just means you get to look at more leaves!

Article fromInside Gatlinburg, TN

When Do the Leaves Change Color in the Fall

“We are pleased to offer this free trolley service on a trial basis during our peak season,” said Cindy Cameron Ogle, city manager. “It will provide our visitors, residents and business community more accessibility to sections of our downtown business district.”

The free open-air shuttles is operating from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily through August 14. All Gatlinburg trolleys are handicap accessible. Extra stops have been established along the special route to bring the number to 40 along Parkway.

As a part of the Gatlinburg Mass Transit System, the system provides service for 50 cents or $1 per rider along a half-dozen routes. Approximately 800,000 patrons use Gatlinburg’s trolleys annually, making it the fifth-largest mass transit system in the state of Tennessee. Started in 1980 with only six trolleys, Gatlinburg’s fleet has grown to 20-plus trolleys servicing approximately 50 miles of trolley routes.

Gatlinburg Trolleys run all day long throughout the year for just $2 a day with unlimited access to the Red, Blue, Purple, Yellow and Green Trolley routes. The $2 Pass is sold at Gatlinburg welcome centers as well as at Gatlinburg City Hall and the mass transit center, plus at numerous Gatlinburg hotels and other local attractions .

To view the current location of Gatlinburg’s trolleys, visit www.otvia.com/gatlinburg. You’ll see a city map, the box color indicates the trolley route color.

For more information, visit any Gatlinburg City Welcome Center or call (865) 436-0535.

Article fromInside Gatlinburg, TN

Free Trolley Rides Along the Parkway till Aug. 14

 Obviously, if you are in the Smokies you are going to visit the Great Smoky Mountain National Park at some point.  If you are looking to go straight to the National Park then the Bypass allows you to get there without the stop and go traffic of Gatlinburg.  The other end of the bypass drops you off a mere two miles from Sugarlands Visitor Center.  At Sugarlands Visitor Center you can reserve campsites, get trail information, buy souvenirs and visit their exhibits giving you great information about the Park.  Besides all that, it is also a good place to stop before you head into the mountains for day hike or just a drive to Cherokee.  Let’s go back to the minivan…

 You are stopped in traffic waiting for the guy in front of you to move five inches so that you can move four.  If you take the bypass and follow the signs to Gatlinburg, you will find yourself at traffic light #10, near the Park Grill and Ober Gatlinburg, you are also going against the traffic now.  You have saved yourself some time and your family can get to enjoying Gatlinburg much quicker.  You will still have to find a place to park but you will be on the same side of the road as some of the larger Parking lots up Historic Nature Trail Road.  Also if your destination in Gatlinburg is closer to traffic light #10 then you are almost there. 

 Last but not least, when you are leaving Gatlinburg, especially if it is dark, take the bypass.  There is a scenic overlook that gives you an incredible view of Gatlinburg.  At night, with the lights on and the Space Needle shining like a beacon you get a glimpse of what brings people back to Gatlinburg year after year.  So, the next time you are headed to Gatlinburg or when you are headed to the National Park remember the Gatlinburg Bypass and you will be the hero of your vacation.

Article fromInside Gatlinburg, TN

Why Not Bypass Gatlinburg?

We know what we love about the fall, but we want to hear from you! We want to know what you love most about the fall season in Gatlinburg or the surrounding area. Perhaps it’s a special place you like to drive to or hike. Maybe you have a favorite restaurant you have to visit. Perhaps there’s a particular craftsman or shop that you absolutely have to purchase something from. Or is there a hotel, cabin, or other place that you love to stay at during your fall vacation to the Smoky Mountains? Whatever it is that you love most about fall in Gatlinburg, TN we want to hear it! We want to hear it so much that we’ve made it into a contest!

In order to enter the contest, all you have to do is post your favorite part of fall in Gatlinburg, TN in the comments section at the bottom of this page. Simply share what you love most about the fall season in the Smokies and you’ll automatically be entered! At the end of October, 2008 we will randomly choose one of the comments and award the prize to the author. It may as well be you! It’s really that easy to enter!

So you must be asking, “What do I win?!?” The person that is randomly chosen will receive 2 free admissions to the Miracle Theater AND 2 free admissions to Magic Beyond Belief in Pigeon Forge, TN! This is 2 nights worth of entertainment for 2 people that we’re giving away simply for someone sharing their favorite part of the fall season in the Smokies!

So what are you waiting for? Jump to the bottom of this page and share your favorite part of fall!

Article fromInside Gatlinburg, TN

Favorite Part of Fall in Gatlinburg, TN

Before we get started, I want to clear something up. The Great Smokey Mountains National Park is actually spelled wrong. The correct spelling is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Do you see the difference? Many people misspell Smoky as Smokey with an “e”. Some simply call them the Smokies while others spell it Smokeys. If you’re one of the people who spells it incorrectly, don’t worry…more people spell it as Smokey Mountains rather than the correct way! Does that make it wrong? Who knows…the Smoky Mountains are still just as breathtakingly beautiful! I don’t recall God naming it or really even caring how it’s spelled. The mountain range is just simple amazing.

So with that out of the way, let’s dig into one of the most amazing places on earth…the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Great Smoky Mountains is in the southern tip of the Appalachian Mountains and create sort of a natural border between Tennessee and North Carolina. If you have ever been to Gatlinburg, TN or Cherokee, NC then you have been in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Many people don’t realize that the Smokey Mountains…I mean Smoky Mountains…is the most visited national park in the United States! This is a testament to the beauty of the park, but it has also become increasingly harmful to the environmental makeup of the Smokies. The increased pollution in the air from vehicle exhaust along with the growing population, increased tourism, etc has taken a toll on the wildlife and natural habitats. Fortunately the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is working to preserve and even restore as much of the National Park as possible.

So where does the name Smokey Mountains, Smoky Mountains, or Smokies come from anyway? If you have ever seen the Smokies, you’d know how it got its name. The higher elevation, humidity, and hydrocarbons produced by trees and plants often put off a hovering, almost eery haze throughout the mountain range giving it the name “Smokies” as it looks like there is smoke all up and down it. It’s a wild site if you have never seen it before…almost as if the mountains are on fire….or simply haunted. Some say they are…but that’s a story for another day.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is deciduous, meaning most trees shed their leaves as the weather turns colder. As this happens, the mountains come to life with amazing color! The reds, yellows, oranges, etc look as if buckets of paint fell from the sky onto the mountains. It’s incredible! Knowing when to see this is anybody’s guess, but you’re probably still wondering when do the leaves change color in the fall. Well, this depends on two primary things…temperature and moisture. As the weather turns colder, deciduous trees go into “survival” mode and start preserving as much water as possible. The best thing they can do to accomplish this is shed their water-retaining leaves! As the trees zap the water out of the leaves, the result is that the leaves slowly change color, dry up, and fall off. So the trick is to look for a cold, dry snap in weather, which basically means predicting when the leaves will change color in the Smoky Mountains is about as hard as predicting the weather! Statistically, though, the middle and last half of October are usually the safest bets for a colorful visit. Bring your camera!!!

One last interesting aspect of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that needs to be pointed out is the synchronous fireflies in Elkmont near Gatlinburg. This is an amazing event that happens only once a year for about a week in mid-June and only in two locations in the entire world…the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of them…the other is in Asia. You can pick which one to come to, but I suggest the Smokies!

We’re going to be revealing more about the Great Smokey Mountains National Park (whoops…I mean Smoky Mountains), so be sure to subscribe to our free newsletter to receive the latest insider tips and info about Gatlinburg, TN and the Smokies! If you have comments you would like to share about the Great Smoky Mountains, please share them in the section at the bottom of this page! We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Article fromInside Gatlinburg, TN

Great Smokey Mountains National Park

• Private Clubs
• Bars that only allow 21 and over at all times
• Accomodations (there will still be smoking rooms that you can stay in)
• Tobacco stores
• Businesses with less than 3 employees

Another exception is possibly any open-aired patios at restaurants. If you’re a smoker, you may want to find restaurants with outdoor seating. If it’s winter time…well, I guess you have to figure out how bad you need a puff!

Article fromInside Gatlinburg, TN

Smoking Ban in Gatlinburg TN

Visit the Inside Gatlinburg Forums.

Article fromInside Gatlinburg, TN

Gatlinburg Forums Now Open