Download all travel information in a Word Document here.

Location:      The conference will be held at the Gatlinburg Convention Center.  The Convention Center has two addresses, depending on which entrance you come into – 920 Parkway and 234 Historic Nature Trail. 

There are two entrances to the Gatlinburg Convention Center close to traffic light #8  (the traffic lights are numbered in Gatlinburg).  One entrance is located directly on what is called the “Parkway” (US 441). 

If you turn at traffic light #8, however, on to the Historic Nature Trail, immediately on your right you will find public parking areas ($5.00) and the other entrance that goes directly into the conference registration area.  (There is only one way you can turn on to this road; if you are traveling north, you will turn right; if south, you will turn left.  The key is to watch for Traffic Light #8.) 

The Gatlinburg Convention Center is marked on the trolley map found as a link under “Trolley Schedules”.  Also see “Driving Routes” for directions to get to Gatlinburg.

Getting Around Gatlinburg:
You can absolutely WALK around Gatlinburg for eating, shopping, sleeping, and getting to the conference if you stay at one of many, many hotels close to the convention center.  See hotel links for details (coming SOON).  If you are unable to walk far (there are mild hills), you easily can take the trolley instead.

Trolley Schedules:            Trolleys run throughout Gatlinburg from 8 am to 12 midnight every day with stops near many hotels, restaurants, and attractions.

These trolleys are 50 cents per ride.  Exact change is required. 
For $1 or $2 per ride, you can even take trolleys sightseeing beyond “Uptown” Gatlinburg to visit the Arts and Crafts Community (10 am-6 pm), the National Park (9 am-7 pm), Pigeon Forge/Dollywood, etc.   To review the trolley routes and schedule, click the link below: 
http://www.ci.gatlinburg.tn.us/transit/trolley.htm

 
Flying:           The closest airport to Gatlinburg, Tennessee is the Knoxville McGhee – Tyson Airport, approximately a one hour drive from Gatlinburg. The Knoxville airport’s website is:  http://www.tys.org/

Shuttles to Gatlinburg from the Airport (Additional Cost):

We have contracted with a tour company who will provide rides from the Knoxville airport in Knoxville, Tennessee  to Gatlinburg, Tennessee  in passenger vans holding 15 people.
 
Pricing:  If you are the only one riding from Knoxville to Gatlinburg, it would cost $65 for the trip (one way).  “Kind of steep!”, you say?  Well, it is only $10 for each additional passenger.  So, if there are two riding together, it is $37.50 for each person.  If there are five of you riding together, telling stories, reminiscing about old times or getting to know each other for the first time, it is only $21 per person.  If there are as many as eleven of you riding together, it is only $15 per person!  (If there are more than 15, they actually do have larger busses available as well.)

Process:  Here’s how it works -
     
1    Contact those you know who are attending the conference to see if you can plan to arrive at similar times.  (If you don’t know anyone, no worries…see “Result” information, below.)
2    Make your flight reservation to arrive at the Knoxville airport.
3    Call Rocky Top Tours at 877-315-8687.
4    Ask for Linda Hall and advise you are with National Storytelling Network.
5    Advise the day and time you will be arriving and your flight number.

Result:  You will be asked for a credit card just to hold your reservation.  Linda will keep your flight information and match you up with others from NSN who are arriving at times close to yours.  She will contact you to let you know when Rocky Top Tours will pick you up at baggage claim (with a NSN sign so you can find her easily) to transport you to Gatlinburg. 

As more people reserve rides, she will provide excellent customer service in offering you the option of waiting a short time in order to share a ride and reduce costs - or not, in case you have to reach Gatlinburg by a certain time.  You will not have to pay until you arrive for your ride.  They will take you directly to your hotel in Gatlinburg and can even provide some information about the area for you during the ride if you would like.  Remember, once you are in Gatlinburg, you do not need a vehicle - everything you need is within walking distance of the convention center, and there are also trolley rides available if you are unable to walk or want to travel further away from the center (50 cents per ride – exact change required). 

IMPORTANT:  Please keep Linda informed if you have any flight changes!!!

Then you can do the same thing with your return trip from Gatlinburg, whether you are heading home or traveling on to your next storytelling adventure!  

Rental Cars:           If you prefer to rent a car versus taking the Rocky Top Tour shuttle, this link will get you to rental car information:  http://www.tys.org/ground-transportation/rental.asp

There are seven rental car companies available to you.  Renting a car would only be required if you choose to stay somewhere further away not on the trolley line or want to explore deeper into the National Park.  (The trolley will actually take you just inside the park but not to the highest points.)  Parking near the conference center is limited, and there is a parking fee ($5 in most locations), so it may be to your advantage to use the airport shuttle if you are flying and do not need a vehicle.

Driving Routes:     
The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is closer in mileage and driving time to more people than any other national park in the country.  Because Gatlinburg is right at the edge of the national park, it may be close enough to drive for many of you. 
If driving, Gatlinburg is approximately:

1.5 hours from Jonesborough, TN
2 hours from Asheville, NC
2.75 hours from Greenville, SC
3 hours from Nashville, TN
3.5 hours from Lexington, KY
4 hours from Atlanta, GA
4 hours from Charlotte, NC
5 hours from Cincinnati, OH
6 hours from Montgomery, AL
6.5 hours from Indianapolis, IN
8 hours from Washington, DC
8 hours from Pittsburgh, PA
8.5 hours from St. Louis, MO
9.5 hours from Chicago, IL
10 hours from New Orleans, LA
10.25 hours from Orlando, FL

There are several different routes to get into Gatlinburg.  Depending on the day/time you come into town, traffic can be quite heavy (particularly coming in on Friday afternoon/evening and leaving Sunday).  By coming in on Wednesday or Thursday to enjoy the full conference experience (pre-conferences, master classes, opening ceremonies and keynote), you will avoid the worst of weekend tourist traffic.  Also consider staying Sunday evening or longer, if your schedule allows, and enjoy some of the sites and attractions.   August is considered the “shoulder” tourist season – it is not nearly as crowded as June and July or October fall weekends, but a fair number of tourists are still visiting town with not all schools back in session yet. 

The primary route into town is to take Exit 407 off Interstate 40 toward Gatlinburg/Sevierville/Pigeon Forge.  You will follow TN Hwy 66 South which then turns into US 441.  This route goes through Sevierville and then Pigeon Forge before Gatlinburg.  See “Location” for specific Convention Center location information.  This main route leading into Sevierville and through Pigeon Forge can have heavy traffic.  Below are some additional options that may be slightly longer mileage, but more scenic and with significantly less traffic:

Alternate Driving Routes into Gatlinburg: 

From Virginia:
Take I-81 South to I -40 East to Exit 435 (Newport) and follow Hwy 321 South all the way into Gatlinburg. Approximate drive time from interstate: 45 minutes

From Lexington:
Take I-75 South to I-640 East, then I-40 East to exit 435 (Newport) and follow Highway 321 South to Gatlinburg. Approximate drive time from interstate: 45 minutes

From Chattanooga:
Take Exit 81 on I-75 North and follow Highway 321 North through Maryville and Townsend and Highway 73 to Gatlinburg. Approximate driving time from interstate: 70 minutes.

From Nashville:
From I-40 take I-75 South to Exit 81 and follow Highway 321 North through Maryville and Townsend and Highway 73 to Gatlinburg. Approximate driving time from interstate: 70 minutes.

From Asheville:
Take I-40 West to Exit 443 and follow Foothills Parkway to Highway 321 South to Gatlinburg. Approximate drive time from interstate: 45 minutes.

From Atlanta:
Take I-85 North to I-985 North to US 23. Take US 23 to Highway 23/441 to Highway 74/441 through Cherokee, NC to Gatlinburg. Approximate drive time from Atlanta: 4 hours 10 minutes.