The Parkway backs up fast in Pigeon Forge, especially in front of Dollywood and around the Island, and circling for parking only makes it worse. The Fun Time Trolley system is the easiest workaround: park once at Patriot Park and let a driver deal with the traffic while you watch out the window.
This guide breaks down the routes that are actually running right now, what each one costs, and how to string them together so you’re not standing at a stop wondering if you picked the right color.
Quick Answer
Pigeon Forge currently runs five active trolley routes — North Parkway, South Parkway, Wears Valley, Dollywood, and the Gatlinburg Welcome Center — and all of them start and end at Patriot Park (186 Old Mill Avenue), where parking is free. Individual rides run $1 (or $2.50 for the Dollywood route), or you can buy an all-day pass for $3 and hop between routes as needed. The Dolly’s Splash Country route is currently not running, so don’t count on it if you’re headed to the water park.
The Routes, Explained
North Parkway is the one most visitors use first: it runs north from Patriot Park up through the main Parkway strip and into Sevierville, looping past Governor’s Crossing and Walmart before heading back. It’s your route for outlet shopping and the northern end of the Parkway’s restaurants and mini-golf courses.
South Parkway heads the opposite direction, cutting east to Teaster Lane and Jake Thomas Road (with a stop at the LeConte Center) before working its way down Pine Mountain Road and back along the southern Parkway past Dolly Parton’s Stampede. This is the route for the Old Mill district and the south end of town.
The Dollywood route runs directly from Patriot Park to the park’s main gate and is the fastest way in if you don’t want to pay for on-site parking. There is no active trolley route to Dolly’s Splash Country right now — the city’s own transit page lists it as not currently in service, so plan to drive or rideshare to the water park until that changes.
Wears Valley heads west along Wears Valley Road, past the campgrounds and cabin turnoffs in that direction, and it runs less frequently than the Parkway routes, so plan around its schedule rather than showing up cold.
The Gatlinburg Welcome Center route is the connector: it runs nonstop from Patriot Park to the welcome center just outside Gatlinburg, where you can transfer onto Gatlinburg’s own trolley system (which is free) to get around downtown Gatlinburg without ever moving your car.
Fares, Hours, and the Map Itself
Fares are per boarding unless you buy an all-day pass: North Parkway, South Parkway, Wears Valley, and the Gatlinburg Welcome Center run $1 each, and the Dollywood route is $2.50, with kids 3 and under riding free. The all-day pass is $3 and covers unlimited rides on any active route, which pays for itself after your third boarding.
Trolleys run daily from around 8 a.m. to midnight for most of the year, switching to a shorter 10 a.m.–10 p.m. schedule during the slower winter stretch (roughly January into early March). The system closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
For the actual route map, use the City of Pigeon Forge’s official routes and schedules page at cityofpigeonforgetn.gov, which lists every currently operating route along with its stops and arrival intervals. Because routes can be added, paused, or brought back seasonally, it’s worth double-checking that page before you leave your cabin or hotel rather than relying on an older printed map.
Tips / Common Mistakes
Bring exact change. Drivers cannot make change, so a pocket of ones and quarters (or the all-day pass bought in advance) saves you from being turned away at the door.
Don’t assume every route runs on the same schedule — Wears Valley runs far less often than the Parkway routes, so check timing before you plan a full day around it.
Don’t count on a trolley to get you to Dolly’s Splash Country. That route is currently not running, so check the city’s transit site for updates if you’re planning a water park day.
Buy your all-day pass at the transit office in the Old Mill district, through the mobile app, or at a ticket vending machine before you board if you want to skip fumbling for cash at every stop.
If you’re headed into downtown Gatlinburg, ride the Pigeon Forge trolley to the Gatlinburg Welcome Center and transfer to Gatlinburg’s free trolley rather than driving — parking in Gatlinburg is tighter and pricier than in Pigeon Forge.
Park once. Patriot Park has free parking and is the hub for every route, so leaving your car there for the day and trolley-hopping is usually faster than re-parking at each attraction during peak season.
Explore more: More Smoky Mountains trip planning guides.
Pigeon Forge Trolley Routes FAQs
Where do Pigeon Forge trolleys start and end?
Every active route departs from and returns to Patriot Park at 186 Old Mill Avenue, which also has free parking.
How much does the Pigeon Forge trolley cost?
Most routes are $1 per ride, the Dollywood route is $2.50, and an all-day unlimited pass is $3. Kids 3 and under ride free.
Is there a trolley route to Dolly’s Splash Country?
Not currently. The Splash Country route is listed as not in service on the city’s official transit page, so check that page for the latest status before planning around it.
Can I use the Pigeon Forge trolley to get to Gatlinburg?
Yes — ride the Gatlinburg Welcome Center route from Patriot Park, then transfer to Gatlinburg’s free trolley system to get around downtown Gatlinburg.
What are the trolley’s operating hours?
Trolleys generally run 8 a.m. to midnight most of the year, shifting to a shorter 10 a.m.–10 p.m. schedule in the winter (roughly January through early March), with closures on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
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Photo: NealVickers / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.