What is GSMTR?
The Great Smoky Mountain Trail Ride (GSMTR) is a legendary off-road gathering hosted by the Southeast Toyota Land Cruiser Association (STLCA). For over three decades, it’s brought Toyota enthusiasts together for mud, rocks, mountains, and community.
How It Started
In the early 1990s, when TLCA was working toward a national footprint, a group of Toyota fans in Tennessee formed a new chapter dedicated to one big goal: host a Toyota-specific event in the Southeast. In 1991, the Southeast Toyota Land Cruiser Association was born, founded by Bob Hollingsworth, Dwight Yokum, and Rainey Kirk.
The club launched GSMTR in 1992 with 39 trucks at Tellico — double the expected turnout. Among the crowd was Toyota Trails editor Gary Bjork, who made the trip from California to support what would become a lasting legacy.
Tellico, Golden Mountain, and Windrock
GSMTR’s original home was the fabled Tellico OHV area. Sadly, Tellico was shut down — not by the will of the people or science-backed reasons, but by overreaching Forest Service officials influenced by Trout Unlimited lobbying. The loss of Tellico marked the end of an era.
GSMTR shifted to Golden Mountain, and later found its current home at Windrock Park — a massive off-road park that delivers everything from scenic overlooks to technical rock trails.
Modern GSMTR
Today, GSMTR is a massive reunion. Over 300 trucks and 500 people roll in for trail rides, nightly dinners, a raffle that supports charity, and vendor setups. It’s a mix of off-road culture, Land Cruiser loyalty, and Toyota community vibes — from mild dirt roads to full-send climbs.
The event honors those who helped build it — including friends and trail leaders we've lost along the way. Whether you show up with lockers and 40s or your bone-stock rig, you’ll find your people here.
Whether you’ve been attending since the Tellico days or just found us on Instagram — GSMTR is your invitation to be part of something bigger.