Gatlinburg is a small, walkable town at the edge of the national park, and where you stay shapes the whole trip. A hotel on or near the Parkway downtown means you can park once and walk to the Space Needle, the SkyLift, Ripley’s Aquarium and most of the restaurants.
Parking downtown fills up and the city lots charge by the hour or day, so ask whether your hotel includes a spot. The Gatlinburg trolley runs through downtown and out to the Arts & Crafts Community on Glades Road, which helps if you’d rather leave the car parked.
Condos and chalets up the mountain, around Ober Gatlinburg and Chalet Village, are quieter and often have better views. The roads up there are steep and winding, though, so plan on driving everywhere, and in winter ask about road conditions before you check in.
The national park entrance is at the south end of town, so a downtown room is also the shortest drive to the Sugarlands Visitor Center and Newfound Gap Road. The list below covers hotels, motels and condos in and around Gatlinburg.
Getting Around Without a Car
Gatlinburg’s city trolleys are free and run every day of the year. All of them stop at the Mass Transit Center at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, so that is where you change routes. From November 1 through April 30 they run from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and from May 1 through October 31 they run from 8:30 a.m. to midnight. The Yellow Route to the Arts & Crafts Community keeps a shorter schedule, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday in November and December. Hours vary by route and during special events, so check the Gatlinburg trolley page.
The city describes the Red Route as serving River Road, the Airport Road area and the Park Vista Hotel, the Purple Route as serving the Welcome Center and Westgate Resorts, and the Blue Route as serving East Gatlinburg along U.S. 321. If your hotel is up the mountain or out on the Spur, you can leave the car at the Park-n-Ride lot at the Gatlinburg Welcome Center, 1011 Banner Road, and take a trolley into town.
Planning the rest of the trip? Browse Gatlinburg attractions and Gatlinburg restaurants, see our guide to camping and RV parks if you would rather bring your own bed, or check the Smoky Mountains webcams before you head up the mountain. Getting married here? See our Gatlinburg wedding chapel guide. Staying in Pigeon Forge instead? Compare Pigeon Forge hotels.
Last updated: November 9, 2026
Hotels, Motels & Resorts
Baskins Creek Condos in Gatlinburg by Vacasa
📍 215 Woliss Ln #3527, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Comfort Suites Gatlinburg Downtown-Convention Center
📍 321 Reagan Dr, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Courtyard by Marriott Gatlinburg Downtown
📍 315 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Downtown Gatlinburg Parkway
📍 1109 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Econo Lodge Inn & Suites at the Convention Center
📍 135 Reagan Dr, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Gatlinburg Downtown
📍 611 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Hampton Inn Gatlinburg Historic Nature Trail
📍 520 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Holiday Inn Club Vacations Smoky Mountain Resort
📍 404 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Holiday Inn Express Gatlinburg Downtown, an IHG Hotel
📍 322 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Hotel Indigo Gatlinburg Downtown (opened 2025)
📍 229 East Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
The Park Vista – a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel – Gatlinburg
📍 705 Cherokee Orchard Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Quality Inn Creekside – Downtown Gatlinburg
📍 125 Leconte Creek Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Sidney James Mountain Lodge – Downtown Gatlinburg
📍 610 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Super 8 by Wyndham Downtown Gatlinburg at Convention Center
📍 417 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park
📍 915 Westgate Resorts Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Cabin & Vacation Rental Companies
Listings are verified against each property’s own website. Rates, amenities and policies change, so confirm details directly with the property before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Gatlinburg trolley free?
Yes. There is no fare or fee to ride the Gatlinburg trolleys, and they run every day of the year.
What are the Gatlinburg trolley hours in winter?
From November 1 through April 30 the trolleys run from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Yellow Route to the Arts & Crafts Community runs Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in November and December. Hours vary by route and during special events.
Can I park outside downtown Gatlinburg and take the trolley in?
Yes. The Gatlinburg Welcome Center at 1011 Banner Road, just off the Spur before you reach town, has a Park-n-Ride lot. Board a trolley there and you can be downtown in a few minutes.
Which trolley route serves the Park Vista Hotel and Westgate Resorts?
The city says the Red Route serves the Park Vista Hotel and the Airport Road area, and the Purple Route serves the Gatlinburg Welcome Center and Westgate Resorts.