Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Great Smoky Mountain Trail Ride (GSMTR)
General Information
What is GSMTR?
The Great Smoky Mountain Trail Ride (GSMTR) is an annual off-road event for Toyota 4×4 enthusiasts, hosted by the Southeast Toyota Land Cruiser Association (STLCA). It features guided and open trail rides, nightly dinners, a charity raffle, and a family-friendly atmosphere.
When and where is GSMTR 2025?
GSMTR 2025 will take place June 12-14, 2025, at Windrock Park in Oliver Springs, TN—one of the largest off-road parks in the country. 8AM Thursday – 10AM Sunday (Early check-in Wednesday evening)
Who can attend GSMTR?
GSMTR is open to all 4wd Vehicles. (No SxS or Dirt bikes allowed) All 4WD vehicles are welcome to register, but be ready for some good-natured Toyota jokes if you’re not driving one!
Can my friend with a non-Toyota vehicle come?
Yes! While GSMTR is a Toyota-focused event, registration is open to all 4WD vehicles.
Can I register at the event?
Yes, unless registration has reached capacity. However, on-site registration may incur additional fees, and items such as T-shirts and swag bags are not guaranteed.
How do I register online?
Registration opens on March 1, 2025. You can sign up online through our official website. Driver registrations must be purchased in separate transactions.
Does my passenger need to register?
Passengers do not need to register for the event. However, if they wish to join us for dinner and evening activities, meal tickets must be purchased separately.
Everyone driving a vehicle must have their own driver registration.
Arrival & Hours
Can I arrive early?
Yes! Primitive camping is included in the cost of registration and is available starting Tuesday evening. Normal arrival is Wednesday night, and the event officially opens Thursday morning 8AM.
If you plan to arrive early, let us know!
Is early check-in available?
Yes! Early check-in will be available Wednesday evening.
I’m going to be at Windrock all week. Will there be anything to do?
You are free to explore the park on your own, but the official event area will not be open until Thursday. However, if you’re around early, you might get drafted to help set up—just saying! 😆
Event & Activities
What does my registration include?
✅ Primitive camping (included for drivers & passengers)
✅ Event T-shirt (if registered before the cutoff date)
✅ Guided and open trail rides (Windrock Park Pass Required)
✅ Dinner each night (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday)
✅ Event Sticker, Patch, plus more SWAG goodies.
Are there different trail difficulty levels?
Yes! GSMTR offers trails for all skill levels:
- Green (Easy): Great for stock vehicles and new off-roaders
- Blue (Moderate): Real trails with real obstacles, larger tires and rock sliders recommended.
- Black (Difficult): Good times and party lines, lockers and skinny pedal recommended. Winch required.
- Red (Extreme): Not for the faint of heart! Expect big obstacles, body damage, and a high risk of breakage
Rules & Vehicle Requirements
Is alcohol allowed?
✅ Alcohol is allowed in the campground and event pavilion.
🚫 Absolutely NO alcohol is allowed on the Windrock trail system per park policy.
Are there any additional fees?
Yes. Windrock Park requires all visitors to purchase park passes for everyone in the vehicle. These are NOT included in your GSMTR registration and must be purchased separately from Windrock.
What are the vehicle requirements?
The following are absolutely required to participate in trail rides:
✔ Fire extinguisher
✔ First aid kit
✔ Battery tie-down
🚫 You will not be allowed on the guided rides without these three items.
Highly recommended:
🔹 Vehicle recovery points (not factory tie-downs)
🔹 Full-size spare tire
Winch Requirement
A winch is required for difficult guided trail rides.
Will My Vehicle Get Damaged?
While it’s never our intention for your vehicle to suffer mechanical or body damage, off-roading always carries risks—even on the easier trails. Trail conditions are constantly changing, obstacles can shift overnight, and no terrain is ever guaranteed to be the same from one day to the next.
Your trail leader will be there to spot and assist you through any tricky sections, but at the end of the day, you’re in the driver’s seat, and no one can promise a completely damage-free ride. Scratches, dents, and the occasional “oops” moment are part of the game.
Just remember: Party Lines = Good Times.
Pinstripes and body damage? Those are just battle scars. Wear them with pride.
Lodging & Camping
What are my lodging options?
🏕 Primitive camping is INCLUDED with your registration. This covers both drivers and passengers. Primitive camping is directly adjacent to the event area and pavilion keeping you close to all the action. While we do have quiet hours, let’s face it, GSMTR is a party. If you have little ones that we may be disturbed by trucks firing up in the middle of the night or someone having a late night social meetup you might consider getting a spot inside the campground instead.
🏠 Other lodging options: If you prefer, Windrock Park Campground offers tent and RV camping with full hookups, plus cabins for rent. Additional hotels and lodging are available in nearby Oak Ridge, TN.
Are there shower and restroom facilities?
Yes, Windrock Park Campground has restrooms and showers available for campers.
Raffle & Vendors
What is the GSMTR charity raffle?
Each year, we host a huge raffle with prizes donated by our amazing sponsors. Proceeds go to charity, supporting off-road and veteran-related causes. Every registered participant gets an entry, and additional tickets can be purchased at the event.
Can I be a vendor at GSMTR?
Absolutely! If you’re interested in setting up a booth or sponsoring the event, please reach out to us for vendor opportunities.
Registration & Payment
Can my friend with a non-Toyota vehicle come?
Yes! While GSMTR is a Toyota-focused event, registration is open to all 4WD vehicles. But if they drive something else, they better be ready for some jokes!
I can’t add another registration to my cart. What’s wrong?
Driver registrations must be purchased in separate transactions. If you need to register multiple drivers, complete each purchase separately.
What is the refund policy?
🚫 There are NO refunds.
Sorry, but at the end of the day, this is a non-profit event raising money for charity. We have too many up-front costs to offer refunds.