Smoky Mountains
Hiker Shuttle
& Trailhead Rides
Get dependable, reservation-based transportation to Great Smoky Mountains trailheads, Appalachian Trail gap crossings and backcountry access points—without stressing over tiny trailhead parking lots or post-hike return logistics.
NPS Authorized Shuttle Provider • Advance reservations • Room for packs & poles
Focus on the trail, not the parking lot or return ride.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States, and its most popular trailhead lots fill early—with just 69 spaces at Alum Cave, 48 at Rainbow Falls, 34 at Chimney Tops and 17 at Grotto Falls. Even with a valid park parking tag, a spot at your trailhead is never guaranteed.
Smoky Bear Shuttle is listed by the National Park Service as an Authorized Shuttle Provider, offering prearranged rides for day hikers, backpackers, section hikers and Appalachian Trail thru-hikers across the Tennessee and North Carolina Smokies.
Whether you want to park at your finish point and ride to your starting trailhead, connect directly from Knoxville McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) to Fontana Dam or Newfound Gap, or return to your cabin in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge or Sevierville, your ride is scheduled around your hiking plan.
Request a hiker shuttle quote →- AT crossings
- Fontana Dam (southern gateway), Newfound Gap and Davenport Gap (northern exit).
- Peak trailheads
- Alum Cave, Kuwohi (Clingmans Dome), Rainbow Falls, Chimney Tops and Laurel Falls.
- Airport link
- Direct hiker transfers between Knoxville Airport (TYS), trailheads and local towns.
- Gear capacity
- Clean, spacious vehicles with room for full multi-day packs, trekking poles and gear.
- Booking rule
- Advance reservation required before starting your hike; cell service is very limited.
Reserve before you hit the trail. As the National Park Service warns, park staff cannot book shuttles for hikers and mountain cell coverage is unreliable. Always lock in your pickup time and meeting point before starting your trek.
Appalachian Trail gaps and Smoky Mountain trailheads.
Coordinate point-to-point connections across the park's primary ridge crossings and day-hike trailheads.
Full Smokies AT crossings
Tackling the ~72-mile Appalachian Trail section through the Smokies? Arrange point-to-point transport between Fontana Dam on the southern border and Davenport Gap at the northern exit, or connect either terminus with TYS Airport and town lodging.
High-elevation ridge access
Start or finish your hike along the crest of the Smokies at Newfound Gap or Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome)—ideal for Charlies Bunion day hikes, half-park AT sections, or descending via Alum Cave or Mount LeConte trails.
Popular park trailhead drop-offs
Skip the dawn race for scarce spaces at Alum Cave Trailhead, Rainbow Falls, Chimney Tops or Laurel Falls. Get dropped off directly at the trailhead from your Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge or Sevierville cabin or hotel with a prearranged return window.
Transportation for thru-hikers, section hikers and day trekkers.
Every hike has different timing, gear and repositioning needs. Choose the shuttle structure that fits your route.
Morning car-spot shuttles
Park your car at your ending trailhead (such as Davenport Gap or Alum Cave) and ride to your starting trailhead in the morning so you can hike at your own pace with no post-hike waiting.
Fly into TYS and hit the trail
Arriving at McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) for a backpacking trip? Book direct airport-to-trailhead transport with flight tracking, or add a pre-hike hotel or resupply stop along the way.
Round-trip trailhead transfers
Staying in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge or Sevierville without a car—or avoiding crowded park lots? Schedule a morning trailhead drop-off and a coordinated afternoon or early evening pickup.
Plan for mountain weather, permits and zero cell signal
High-elevation weather along Newfound Gap Road (US-441) and Kuwohi Road can shift rapidly, and temporary wind, ice or maintenance closures can affect road access. Check NPS temporary road and trail closures before your departure date and build a backup pickup plan with your driver.
If you are leaving a personal vehicle parked inside the park for more than 15 minutes while you hike back to it, display a valid Great Smoky Mountains parking tag ($5 daily, $15 weekly, or $40 annual) matching your license plate. Overnight backpackers also need their NPS backcountry camping or AT thru-hiker permit.
Because cell reception is nonexistent at many trailheads and gaps, agree on an exact pickup window, landmark and check-in procedure before you set out—or use a satellite communicator if your pace changes on a multi-day trek.
Reliable point-to-point trailhead transportation across the Smokies and Appalachian Trail.
Get a quote for your Smoky Mountains hiker shuttle
Hiker shuttle rates depend on the distance between your pickup and drop-off points (for example, Fontana Dam to Davenport Gap versus Gatlinburg to Alum Cave), your group size, gear volume and requested time of day.
Before confirming your booking, review the quoted fare, waiting-window policy, weather contingency options and cancellation terms so everyone in your hiking party knows the exact plan.
Tip: Hiking with a group or splitting a point-to-point shuttle between Fontana Dam, Newfound Gap and Davenport Gap is often easiest when booked together on a single reservation.
Request a Personalized Hiker Quote ↗Arrange your trailhead shuttle in three steps.
Send your trail itinerary
Contact Smoky Bear Shuttle with your hike date, starting point, destination trailhead, hiker count, pack sizes and whether you need a one-way spot or round-trip pickup.
Confirm timing and meeting spot
Review availability, quoted rate, exact trailhead meeting landmark, early-morning or evening schedule and communication plan for areas without cell service.
Meet your driver and hit the trail
Load your packs and poles, confirm your check-in or return window with your driver, and step onto the trail knowing your ride is locked in.
Smoky Mountains hiker shuttle FAQs.
Is Smoky Bear Shuttle an authorized Great Smoky Mountains National Park shuttle provider?
Yes. Smoky Bear Shuttle is listed on the official National Park Service Shuttles page as an Authorized Shuttle Provider serving Great Smoky Mountains National Park trailheads and surrounding gateway communities.
Which Appalachian Trail and Smokies trailheads do you serve?
We regularly serve Fontana Dam, Davenport Gap, Newfound Gap, Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome), Alum Cave Trailhead, Rainbow Falls, Chimney Tops, Laurel Falls, and custom remote backcountry drop-offs across the Smokies.
Can we park our car at the finish trailhead and get shuttled to the start?
Yes—car-spotting shuttles are one of the best ways to hike point-to-point. Leave your vehicle at your exit trailhead (with a valid NPS parking tag displayed) and ride with us in the morning to your starting trailhead so you can hike back to your car at your own pace.
Do you offer direct shuttles from Knoxville Airport (TYS) to Fontana Dam or Newfound Gap?
Yes. We provide prearranged private transfers directly from McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) to Fontana Dam, Newfound Gap, Davenport Gap, or local hotels, cabins and campgrounds, complete with flight tracking and room for backpacks.
Can we stop for stove fuel or backpacking resupply on the way to the trailhead?
Since stove fuel canisters cannot be carried on commercial flights, let us know when requesting your airport-to-trailhead quote if you need a brief stop for fuel or trail supplies on the way to the mountains.
What if there is no cell service at my pickup trailhead?
Cell reception is unavailable at most Smoky Mountain trailheads. Always book your shuttle before starting your hike and agree on a specific pickup time, parking-area landmark, and backup protocol (or Garmin inReach / satellite messaging check-in) in advance.
Do I still need an NPS parking tag if I use a hiker shuttle?
If we drop you off and pick you up without you parking a personal vehicle inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you do not need to buy a parking tag. If you park your own car at a trailhead for more than 15 minutes to hike back to it, your parked vehicle must display a valid NPS parking tag.
Do you offer early-morning drop-offs or late-evening pickups?
Yes. Early-morning trailhead starts and late-evening pickup windows are available by advance reservation. Share your target start time when requesting your quote.
Your Smokies hike
starts with a solid ride plan.
Contact Smoky Bear Shuttle to reserve your Appalachian Trail crossing, day-hike trailhead drop-off or TYS airport-to-trailhead transfer. All hiker shuttles require advance reservations.
Transportation provider information: Hiker shuttles, airport transfers, private car, van and group charter services offered through Smoky Bear Shuttle, Inc. may be fulfilled and operated by Smoky Bear Shuttle, Inc., Pinyan Inc., or qualified affiliated transportation providers depending on the route and vehicle type. All rides are subject to confirmed availability, road openings, pricing, pickup arrangements and applicable booking terms. Drive times and trailhead arrival windows are estimates, not guarantees.