If you are planning a visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park during one of the busier times of the year, the last thing you want to worry about is parking hassles! While you can easily purchase the required Parking Tag to display while you’re in the park, you may have to arrive very early in the morning to secure a spot! Rather than dealing with this headache on busy days, consider taking one of the independent shuttle rides to and from the park! Here are 4 convenient hiking shuttles that provide easy access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
1. Smoky Rides
Smoky Rides operates shuttles daily for both day hikers and overnight hikers to several popular trailheads, including Mt. LeConte trailheads. Whether you are heading to the Alum Cave Trail or Rainbow Falls Trail, there is no easier way to get right to the action! The daily shuttle trips from Smoky Rides offer transportation between Gatlinburg and multiple trailheads for up to 10 hikers. Note that advance reservations are required for each trip, and all shuttle rides are one-way only, so you’ll have to book multiple shuttles for your return to Gatlinburg.
2. Rocky Top Tours
Another one of the convenient hiking shuttles that provide easy access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Rocky Top Tours. These shuttles offer hassle-free transportation to the Alum Cave Trailhead, Chimney Top Trailhead, and other popular trailheads to LeConte Lodge, as well as Laurel Falls. Rocky Top Tours feature roundtrip transportation at scheduled intervals, and all trips can be scheduled online. After making your reservation, be sure to review your confirmation email for precise return times to ensure a smooth journey!
3. Smoky Mountains Eco Tours
Smoky Mountains Eco Tours is an excellent option for transportation to the best hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Whether you want to experience a 2-hour nature trek through the forest or spend a full day hiking one of the park’s challenging trails, Smoky Mountains Eco Tours has you covered with efficient transportation to and from the park! You can park at your “out” trailhead with your Parking Tag and take a shuttle to your “start” trailhead, or completely save the drive by traveling roundtrip with door-to-door service! To get a quote, simply fill out the online form on their website!
4. A Walk in the Woods
A Walk in the Woods offers both private and public hiking shuttle options, with trips traveling from downtown Gatlinburg to the Alum Cave Bluffs Trailhead, Newfound Gap (for the Boulevard Trailhead), Bullhead Trailhead, and Rainbow Falls Trailhead. The shuttle operates on a schedule with approximate pickup and arrival times, so be sure to keep this in mind when planning your day. Also, note that a minimum of 4 reservations are required for the shuttle to operate.
Now that you know about the convenient hiking shuttles that provide easy access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, learn all about some of the amazing things you can spot while hiking in the Smoky Mountains!
