Stay by the River, Explore Gatlinburg & Plan Your Event
River Terrace Resort & Convention Center places you close to downtown attractions, Ripley’s Aquarium and the Great Smoky Mountains. Here is what to know about room choices, parking, meeting spaces, resort policies, accessibility and getting around before you book or arrive.
Quick answer: River Terrace Resort & Convention Center is at 240 River Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. It is a Westgate property overlooking the Little Pigeon River, offering hotel rooms, flexible meeting facilities, free self-parking and convenient access to downtown attractions. The resort’s published check-in time is 4 PM and checkout is 10 AM.
For hotel questions call 865-436-5161; group planners can call 877-587-0013.
Essential Resort Information
Helpful for overnight visitors
- King and queen accommodation options.
- Selected river-view rooms and private balconies or patios.
- Seasonal outdoor swimming pool.
- Free self-parking.
- Dog-friendly stays subject to conditions and fees.
- On-property guest assistance and laundry facilities.
Helpful for event attendees
- Convention space, ballroom and conference facilities within the resort complex.
- Group sales and catering support.
- Downtown dining and attractions accessible on foot.
- Accessible routes to meeting facilities.
- Official property map for identifying the correct building and floor.
- Hotel accommodation for event-related overnight stays.
Address, Contact & How to Get There
Resort address
River Terrace Resort & Convention Center240 River Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
United States
Front desk: 865-436-5161
Reservations: 888-795-2136
Group sales: 877-587-0013
Before you drive
Use the River Road address rather than simply searching for “Gatlinburg Convention Center.” River Terrace’s own convention facilities are not the same building as the separate Gatlinburg Convention Center.
Make sure your confirmation identifies whether you are attending a River Terrace event or an event at another convention venue in town.
GPS arrival routes may change because of downtown traffic, seasonal road restrictions or events.
Approaching Gatlinburg
From Knoxville / Sevierville
Follow the US-441 corridor through Sevierville and Pigeon Forge toward Gatlinburg. Continue toward downtown and River Road, following your live navigation route.
From Atlanta
The usual interstate approach is I-75 toward Knoxville, then I-40 East and the Sevierville/Pigeon Forge corridor via Exit 407.
From Cherokee, NC
Travel north on US-441 through Great Smoky Mountains National Park when the mountain road is open. Winter weather may close this route.
River Terrace Parking, Trolley & Transportation
Self-parking
Published price: Free.
Westgate lists free self-parking for resort guests. Parking areas sit within the multi-building resort campus, so the closest available space may not be directly outside your room.
Airport shuttle
No complimentary resort airport shuttle.
Arrange a rental car, taxi or rideshare from McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), or another regional arrival point.
Gatlinburg trolley
The local trolley system serves the Gatlinburg area. Westgate identifies trolley access in its transportation information.
Confirm current routes, operating season and nearest boarding point before relying on it for an event.
Arrival and parking checklist
- Set the destination: Enter 240 River Road, not just the venue name.
- Locate the property entrance: Follow the resort’s marked entrance and internal directional signs.
- Use the correct parking level: The resort property map identifies a two-level parking area, guest services, buildings and internal walkways.
- Check in or locate event registration: Hotel check-in and event registration may be separate processes.
- Save your parking position: Take a photo of the building number or parking landmark before walking into town.
Find Your Building, Ballroom & Convention Floor
River Terrace is spread across several named buildings rather than a single hotel tower. The resort’s official map is especially useful for guests with luggage, mobility needs and people attending meetings.
Guestroom buildings shown on the map
- 1 — River Walk: Guest services area and river-side campus.
- 2 — Riverside: River-facing building area.
- 3 — River Tower: Another river-side accommodation section.
- 4 — Mountain Retreat: Interior resort building.
- 5 — Hillcrest: Interior building near the upper parking area.
- 6 — Mountain View: Interior building between Hillcrest and Atrium Tower.
- 7 — Atrium Tower: Main convention and conference building.
Atrium Tower: which floor?
These floor assignments come from the resort’s published property map. Use your event’s exact room name to identify the final destination.
Guest Rooms, River Views & Resort Amenities
For most visitors, the room decision comes down to bed configuration, a standard or river view, renovation status and where the room sits within the property.
| Room choice | What to expect | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard King | One king-bed room; amenities depend on selected rate/category. | Couples and solo travelers. |
| Standard Queen | Two queen beds in the current official room description; sleeps up to four. | Families and friends sharing a room. |
| River-view room | Selected room categories overlook the Little Pigeon River. | Guests prioritizing the view. |
| Signature category | Alternative upgraded room options appear in booking inventory. | Visitors comparing room features. |
Standard Queen room: official specifications
Westgate’s current Standard Queen description includes air conditioning, a balcony or patio, microwave, coffee/tea maker, mini refrigerator, private bathroom and television. Accessible room features are available in designated accommodations; confirm the specific room assignment before arrival.
On-site conveniences
- Seasonal outdoor heated pool.
- Wi-Fi access.
- 24-hour front desk.
- Concierge and ticket assistance.
- Laundry facilities.
- Business and meeting services.
- Fitness facilities listed on the current resort site.
- Restaurant/dining information subject to current operation.
Three things to request before arrival
- Exact view: Ask whether your booked category guarantees the river view or only allows a view request.
- Building and room access: Request a convenient building or accessible route if needed.
- Current room condition: Confirm renovated-room availability, room photos and the assigned bed configuration.
Pool and family use
Westgate currently promotes a seasonal outdoor pool. The guest-services page lists Pool #1 hours of 9 AM–10 PM, but seasonal openings, closures and maintenance can affect availability. Children should be supervised, and any mobility accommodation should be confirmed directly.
What recent guest reviews suggest checking
Recent public reviews frequently praise the downtown location and easy access to attractions. Experiences with room condition, maintenance, noise, Wi-Fi and parking convenience are mixed. Rather than relying on an overall score alone, compare recent reviews for the specific room type or building you intend to book.
Convention Center Meeting Rooms & Capacities
River Terrace offers more than 20,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and can host conferences, retreats, receptions, weddings, family reunions and group gatherings.
The resort publishes the following room capacities. They represent reference configurations, not guaranteed attendance limits after adding staging, food service, exhibits, accessibility aisles or other equipment.
| Meeting space | Area (sq ft) | Theatre | Banquet | Classroom | Reception |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Ballroom | 9,785 | 1,000 | 500 | 372 | 750 |
| Convention Center | 8,013 | 831 | 440 | 332 | 831 |
| Riverwalk | 4,080 | 201 | 80 | 84 | 150 |
| Foothills | 1,568 | 160 | 80 | 72 | 100 |
| Elkmont | 1,512 | 108 | 70 | 60 | 55 |
| Greenbriar | 1,260 | 103 | 70 | 57 | 50 |
| Blue Ridge | 870 | 70 | 40 | 32 | 32 |
| Cumberland | 870 | 70 | 40 | 32 | 70 |
| Douglas | 840 | 70 | 40 | 32 | 70 |
| Appalachian-Douglas | 840 | 49 | 40 | 27 | 40 |
| Conference Room | 400 | — | — | — | — |
Source: Westgate’s published Meeting Space & Capacities chart. Named subrooms, combinations and configurations may overlap; do not add individual room areas to calculate the total facility footprint.
Large conference
The Ballroom: up to 1,000 theatre seats or 500 banquet guests in the official chart.
Suitable for considering keynote sessions, dinners and larger group functions.
Mid-size gathering
Riverwalk: 4,080 square feet, 201 theatre seats or 150 reception guests.
Useful when the main ballroom would be unnecessarily large.
Smaller meetings
Blue Ridge / Cumberland: each lists 870 square feet and 40 banquet seats.
Consider for training, committees and smaller group functions.
What event services are available?
The official conference-services listing includes Bose sound-system equipment, audiovisual aids, catering, internet access, themed event décor, banquet bar service and a podium. Availability, production needs, staffing and charges must be included in your individual event proposal.
How to Plan a Wedding, Conference or Group Event
The same space can serve very different event types. Before requesting a quote, decide the seating style, number of overnight rooms, catering expectations and technical requirements.
Corporate meetings & retreats
- Choose theatre, classroom, board-style or banquet seating.
- Request reliable internet capacity for attendees.
- List projector, microphone, speaker and power requirements.
- Allow setup and registration time before the first session.
Weddings & family celebrations
- Confirm ceremony and reception spaces separately.
- Ask about outside vendors, décor and catering rules.
- Check room blocks for guests staying overnight.
- Request banquet service, bar options and setup timing.
Request a venue proposal in six steps
- Identify event dates: Include setup day, main event date and departure date.
- Estimate attendees: Separate total invited guests from expected seated attendance.
- Choose a room configuration: Use the capacity table above to shortlist the Ballroom, Convention Center or breakout rooms.
- Estimate accommodation needs: Count king rooms, double-queen rooms and accessibility requirements.
- List necessary services: Catering, internet, AV, registration space, bar service and vendor access.
- Submit the request: Open Westgate’s meeting-capacity page, find the Request for Proposal form, enter your contact details, arrival/departure dates, sleeping-room count and event requirements, then submit.
For comparison, larger convention-resort visitors can also review our Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center planning guide, which explains large-scale hall navigation, parking, event rooms and meeting logistics in Nashville.
Check-in, Deposits, Pets, Breakfast & Cancellation
| Policy | Published information |
|---|---|
| Check-in | 4:00 PM |
| Checkout | 10:00 AM |
| Minimum age | 21 years |
| Credit-card deposit | $50 |
| Cash deposit | $200 |
| Smoking | All rooms non-smoking |
| Dogs | Permitted subject to published weight, number and fee restrictions |
| Extra beds | Rollaway/extra beds unavailable |
| Breakfast | Not complimentary under the standard published stay policy |
| Parking | Free self-parking |
| Early/late room access | Subject to availability; fees may apply |
Dog-friendly stay rules
The official resort FAQ says a maximum of two dogs per unit is permitted, with a combined weight limit of 60 pounds. Dog-related fees, breed restrictions, service-animal provisions and other conditions should be checked in the applicable Westgate terms before booking.
Cancellation and deposit planning
Westgate’s general overview indicates many reservations require cancellation at least 72 hours before arrival to avoid a charge equivalent to one night’s room and tax. However, individual reservations and special-rate bookings may have different conditions.
The published incidental deposit is $50 by credit card or $200 in cash. Confirm current accepted payment methods and deposit-release timing before arrival.
Accessibility, Elevators & Mobility Planning
Westgate identifies accessible routes to convention space, pool areas and other facilities, plus designated accessible parking and accessible public restrooms.
Published accessibility features
- Accessible parking spaces.
- Accessible front-desk/registration area.
- Ramps and accessible routes.
- Elevators with audible floor indicators.
- Accessible public bathrooms.
- Pool lift for mobility-impaired guests.
- Selected accessible guestroom features.
Ask these questions before booking
- Can the assigned guestroom be reached without steps?
- Which parking area is closest to my building?
- Does the room have a roll-in shower or tub/shower combination?
- Is the accessible route to my specific event room open?
- Can the hotel confirm accessibility features in writing?
Nearby Attractions, Dining & Things to Do
The downtown location is one of River Terrace’s strongest advantages. Visitors can combine an event or overnight stay with shopping, attractions, dining and national-park activities.
| Attraction | Approx. published resort distance | Why go? |
|---|---|---|
| Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies | 0.1 mile | Family attraction and easy downtown outing. |
| Gatlinburg SkyBridge area | 0.4 mile | Mountain views and ticketed attractions. |
| Ober Mountain area | 0.7 mile | Seasonal recreation and mountain activities. |
| Wild Bear Falls Waterpark | 2.2 miles | Indoor waterpark activity. |
| Dolly Parton’s Stampede | 6.4 miles | Dinner entertainment in Pigeon Forge. |
| Dollywood / Splash Country | 8.8 miles | Theme park and seasonal waterpark trips. |
Distances are approximate property-published reference figures, not guaranteed pedestrian route lengths. Event-day traffic and route choice can change travel times.
One-hour free time
Walk through downtown, explore the River Road area or visit nearby shops and cafés. Choose something close rather than driving to a distant attraction.
Half-day outing
Allow time for the aquarium or a downtown scenic attraction. Book admission separately and review seasonal operating hours.
Full day
Plan an excursion into Great Smoky Mountains National Park or a Pigeon Forge entertainment day, allowing for mountain-road and visitor traffic.
Dining and nearby services
Downtown Gatlinburg has a broad selection of casual restaurants, coffee shops and family dining. The resort has historically promoted Drafts Burger Bar on its property map, but restaurant operation and hours should be confirmed for your visit date. Do not assume a restaurant or breakfast benefit is available solely because it appears on an older property map.
Fall foliage, winter weather and busy weekends
October foliage periods, holidays and major events can create heavy traffic in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Leave extra time for driving, parking, check-in and restaurant waits. In winter, mountain roads may be temporarily restricted by ice or snow.
How to Check Rates & Book the Correct Room
Use the following approach to avoid booking a room that does not match your expectations or event requirements.
- Decide your priority: Choose between a lower standard-room price, a specific river view, two queen beds, king bed or accessibility features.
- Open the official property page: Use Westgate’s River Terrace Resort website and select your intended check-in and checkout dates.
- Set the number of guests: Include children and dogs when applicable. Room occupancy and pet conditions affect the correct reservation.
- Compare room descriptions: Check the actual bed size, view classification, balcony/patio, amenities and cancellation conditions.
- Review the total: Confirm taxes, fees, required deposits and any applicable discounts before payment.
- Complete the reservation: Submit the booking through the official process, save the confirmation and verify the exact room category.
- Prepare for check-in: Bring identification and an acceptable payment method. If arriving before 4 PM, ask about luggage storage.
Discounts worth checking
Westgate advertises seasonal offers and selected eligibility-based discounts, including promotions for Tennessee residents and seniors aged 50 or older. Offers can require documentation or loyalty membership and may exclude group bookings, events or blackout dates. Compare the actual payable total rather than relying on a headline percentage.
Before you travel: final checklist
- Reservation dates, bed type and room view match the confirmation.
- Cancellation deadline and complete price are saved.
- Pet requirements and applicable charges are confirmed.
- Accessible-room features are confirmed if needed.
- 240 River Road is saved in navigation.
- Event room and Atrium Tower floor are known.
- Current pool and dining availability are checked.
- Photo ID, payment method and booking reference are ready.
- Mountain-road and downtown traffic conditions are checked.
River Terrace Resort & Convention Center FAQs
1. Where is River Terrace Resort and Convention Center located?
River Terrace Resort & Convention Center is located at 240 River Road, Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738, close to downtown attractions and Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.
2. Is parking free at River Terrace Resort?
Yes. Westgate publishes free self-parking for resort guests. If you are attending an event without staying overnight, confirm parking eligibility and instructions with the resort or organizer.
3. What are River Terrace check-in and checkout times?
Published check-in is 4 PM and checkout is 10 AM. Early check-in and late checkout depend on availability and may involve additional fees.
4. Does River Terrace Resort offer free breakfast?
The current official Westgate overview states that complimentary breakfast is not included with a standard stay. Check your particular room package or confirmation for any special breakfast benefit.
5. Is River Terrace Resort pet friendly?
Yes. Westgate permits up to two dogs per unit, with a combined weight limit of 60 pounds, subject to fees and other applicable terms.
6. Does River Terrace have a swimming pool?
Yes. The current resort information advertises one seasonal outdoor pool. The guest-services listing gives Pool #1 hours of 9 AM to 10 PM, subject to seasonal schedules and changes.
7. How large is the River Terrace Convention Center?
The resort advertises more than 20,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. The published Ballroom covers 9,785 square feet and lists a theatre capacity of 1,000, while the named Convention Center space covers 8,013 square feet and lists 831 theatre seats.
8. Which building contains the convention and ballroom facilities?
The official property map identifies Building 7, Atrium Tower. The first floor contains the convention center, the second floor contains the ballroom, and the third floor contains conference rooms and executive offices.
9. Is River Terrace within walking distance of downtown Gatlinburg?
Yes. The property is centrally located near downtown shopping, restaurants and attractions. Westgate lists Ripley’s Aquarium at approximately 0.1 mile and the SkyBridge area at approximately 0.4 mile from the resort.
10. How do I contact River Terrace Resort about a room or meeting?
Call the resort front desk at 865-436-5161, resort reservations at 888-795-2136, or group sales at 877-587-0013. Meeting planners can also use the Request for Proposal form on Westgate’s official meeting-space page.
Official Sources & Documents
The practical facts in this guide are based primarily on Westgate’s property information, meeting chart and resort map. The most useful official resources are organized below.
- Official River Terrace Resort website — accommodation categories, offers, amenities and direct reservations.
- Resort overview and policies — check-in, deposits, parking, breakfast and accessibility.
- Official meeting-space chart — room areas, seating layouts and group inquiry form.
- Official resort map PDF — building numbers, parking locations, meeting floors and internal routes.
- Guest services page — pool information, accessible facilities and assistance contacts.