River Terrace Resort and Convention Center is a Westgate property in downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee, overlooking the Little Pigeon River and within easy walking distance of many of the city’s best-known attractions. The resort combines guest accommodation with a sizable conference complex, making it suitable for family reunions, association meetings, weddings, corporate programs and other group events.
Current venue listings show about 30,038 square feet of meeting space across 11 meeting rooms, with the 9,785-square-foot Ballroom as the largest individual room. The resort also offers free self-parking, a seasonal outdoor pool, a fitness center, trolley access and full catering services.
River Terrace Resort and Convention Center Quick Details
| Detail | Information |
| Official name | River Terrace Resort and Convention Center |
| Address | 240 River Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 |
| Location | Downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee |
| Operator | Westgate Resorts |
| Guest rooms | About 205 rooms/units |
| Total meeting space | About 30,038 square feet |
| Meeting rooms | 11 listed by current event-venue data |
| Largest meeting room | The Ballroom – 9,785 square feet |
| Ballroom theatre capacity | 1,000 |
| Ballroom banquet capacity | 500 |
| Convention Center room | 8,013 square feet |
| Convention Center theatre capacity | 831 |
| Riverwalk room | 4,080 square feet |
| Parking | Complimentary self-parking |
| Pool | Seasonal outdoor pool |
| Fitness center | Available |
| Gatlinburg Convention Center | About 0.4 mile / roughly 8-minute walk |
| Nearest major airport | McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) |
| Airport distance | About 44 miles |
| Airport shuttle | Not provided |
| Check-in | 4:00 p.m. |
| Check-out | 10:00 a.m. |
| Pet policy | Dog-friendly with restrictions and fees |
Address and Location
The resort’s official address is:
- 240 River Road, Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738
River Terrace Resort sits beside the Little Pigeon River in central Gatlinburg. Its location is one of the property’s strongest advantages because guests can reach many downtown attractions, restaurants and shops without driving.
Nearby destinations include:
- Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
- Anakeesta
- Gatlinburg SkyPark
- Gatlinburg Space Needle
- Gatlinburg Convention Center
- Downtown Gatlinburg Parkway
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Current travel listings place Ripley’s Aquarium and Gatlinburg SkyPark within about a five-minute walk. The municipal Gatlinburg Convention Center is roughly 0.4 mile away, generally an eight-minute walk depending on the route.
The resort’s own convention facility is separate from the larger Gatlinburg Convention Center. Groups booking River Terrace should therefore make sure their event documents clearly state which venue is being used.
Facilities at River Terrace Resort and Convention Center
River Terrace is both a resort and a group-event property. Its meeting complex is considerably larger than the facilities at a typical limited-service hotel and can handle meetings ranging from small board sessions to theatre-style gatherings of around 1,000 people.
Principal facilities and services include:
- Approximately 30,038 square feet of meeting space
- 11 meeting rooms listed by current event-venue data
- 9,785-square-foot Ballroom
- 8,013-square-foot Convention Center room
- 4,080-square-foot Riverwalk room
- Several smaller breakout and conference rooms
- Full catering service
- Banquet bar service
- Audio-visual support
- Bose sound system
- Internet access for events
- Podium and presentation support
- Seasonal outdoor swimming pool
- Fitness center
- Laundry facilities
- Concierge and tour/ticket assistance
- 24-hour front desk and security
- Complimentary self-parking
- Gatlinburg trolley stop
Westgate also promotes themed events and decorations for group functions. Because room setup can change according to staging, dance floors, buffet stations and audiovisual equipment, event organizers should confirm the final floor plan before setting attendance limits.
Hall Capacity and Meeting Space
Westgate publishes individual capacities for its major rooms. The figures below are based on the resort’s current meeting-space chart. Theatre, banquet, classroom, reception, U-shaped and open-square capacities differ because each layout uses the room differently.
1. The Ballroom
The Ballroom is the property’s largest individual meeting room, covering approximately 9,785 square feet with a published ceiling height of about 14 feet.
Published capacities include:
- 1,000 theatre-style attendees
- 500 banquet guests
- 372 classroom attendees
- 750 reception guests
- 280 U-shaped attendees
- 235 in an open-square arrangement
The Ballroom is suitable for general sessions, large reunions, wedding receptions, award dinners and corporate programs.
2. Convention Center
The room identified by Westgate as the Convention Center provides approximately 8,013 square feet.
Published capacities include:
- 831 theatre-style attendees
- 440 banquet guests
- 332 classroom attendees
- 831 reception guests
- 229 U-shaped attendees
- 192 in an open-square arrangement
This is the resort’s second-largest published room and can function as a substantial standalone meeting or banquet venue.
3. Riverwalk
Riverwalk covers approximately 4,080 square feet and measures about 102 by 40 feet.
Published capacities include:
- 201 theatre-style attendees
- 80 banquet guests
- 84 classroom attendees
- 150 reception guests
- 117 U-shaped attendees
- 98 in an open-square arrangement
Its long rectangular footprint makes it useful for receptions, training sessions and medium-sized meetings.
4. Foothills
Foothills provides approximately 1,568 square feet and measures about 28 by 56 feet.
Published capacities include:
- 160 theatre-style attendees
- 80 banquet guests
- 72 classroom attendees
- 100 reception guests
- 45 U-shaped attendees
5. Elkmont
Elkmont covers approximately 1,512 square feet and measures about 27 by 56 feet.
Published capacities include:
- 108 theatre-style attendees
- 70 banquet guests
- 60 classroom attendees
- 55 reception guests
- 43 U-shaped attendees
6. Greenbriar
Greenbriar provides approximately 1,260 square feet.
Published capacities include:
- 103 theatre-style attendees
- 70 banquet guests
- 57 classroom attendees
- 50 reception guests
- 36 U-shaped attendees
7. Blue Ridge and Cumberland
Blue Ridge and Cumberland each provide approximately 870 square feet. Both are useful for smaller breakouts, committee meetings and workshops.
Each room can accommodate about 70 theatre-style attendees and 40 banquet guests. Classroom capacity is approximately 32.
8. Appalachian-Douglas and Douglas
Appalachian-Douglas and Douglas are each listed at approximately 840 square feet. Published theatre capacity is around 49 for Appalachian-Douglas and 70 for Douglas, with banquet seating for around 40.
9. Conference Room
The dedicated Conference Room covers approximately 400 square feet and is intended for small meetings. Current event listings show boardroom seating for around 16 people.
Parking at River Terrace Resort and Convention Center
Westgate currently lists complimentary self-parking at River Terrace Resort and Convention Center. This is a useful advantage in downtown Gatlinburg, where parking at attractions and public lots can add to the cost of a stay.
Hotel parking is intended for resort guests and authorized event attendees. Availability can become tighter when the property is hosting a major conference, wedding or reunion, so group organizers should discuss parking needs with the resort when booking a large event.
Designated accessible parking spaces are provided throughout the resort. Westgate also lists accessible routes between public areas, convention spaces and other resort facilities.
A Gatlinburg trolley stop is available, giving guests another way to move around town without repeatedly using their vehicle.
Reaching the Resort
1. From McGhee Tyson Airport
McGhee Tyson Airport near Knoxville is the nearest major commercial airport and is approximately 44 miles from the resort. Typical driving times are around an hour or more depending on traffic through Sevierville and Pigeon Forge.
River Terrace does not provide an airport shuttle. Common options include:
- Rental car
- Taxi
- Uber or Lyft
- Pre-arranged private transportation
2. By Car
Travelers arriving from Knoxville normally use US-441 toward Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. In central Gatlinburg, drivers turn toward River Road and follow the street to the resort entrance at 240 River Road.
3. Gatlinburg Trolley
The resort lists a Gatlinburg trolley stop as part of its transportation options. The trolley is useful for reaching attractions, dining areas and other parts of Gatlinburg without searching for additional parking.
Popular Hotels Near River Terrace Resort
Downtown Gatlinburg has many hotels and resorts within a short drive or walk of River Terrace. Alternatives may be useful when a group needs additional sleeping rooms or different amenities.
- Hilton Garden Inn Gatlinburg: A downtown hotel on River Road with an indoor pool, restaurant and convenient access to the Parkway.
- Courtyard by Marriott Gatlinburg Downtown: A modern downtown hotel near the convention district and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- The Park Vista – a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel – Gatlinburg: A hillside full-service hotel with extensive views and its own meeting facilities.
- Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park: River Terrace’s sister Westgate property, offering larger resort amenities, dining, a spa and Wild Bear Falls Water Park.
For guests who want to be in the center of Gatlinburg’s pedestrian activity, River Terrace’s location remains one of its key advantages.
Dining at and Near River Terrace Resort
River Terrace’s official information has changed over time regarding breakfast and on-site dining. One current Westgate page says breakfast is not included, while another Westgate page promotes a complimentary grab-and-go breakfast. Because of this inconsistency, guests should confirm the breakfast arrangement for their specific reservation before arrival.
Westgate currently directs River Terrace guests to dining options at nearby Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park, which can be reached by a short trolley ride.
The resort’s downtown setting also puts many independent restaurants within walking distance. Guests can find breakfast restaurants, sandwich shops, steakhouses, cafes and casual American dining along the Parkway and River Road.
Groups holding a meeting or banquet at River Terrace can arrange full catering and banquet-bar service through the resort’s event staff.
Pool, Fitness and Guest Amenities
River Terrace currently lists one seasonal outdoor swimming pool. Westgate’s guest-services page lists pool hours of approximately 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. when the pool is open for the season.
A fitness center is available with cardio and weight-training equipment. Guests can also use on-site laundry facilities and concierge or tour-ticket services.
Room types include king and queen configurations, with some renovated river-view rooms offering balconies or patios. Selected larger room types include fireplaces and loft-style layouts.
Wi-Fi terms should be checked at booking because different Westgate pages describe access differently for owners, guests and exchangers.
Accessibility
Westgate lists accessible routes to resort facilities including the convention space and pool deck. The pool has a lift for guests with mobility needs.
The front desk includes an accessible counter, and designated accessible parking spaces are available throughout the property.
Elevators use audible tones, bells or verbal floor announcements. Accessible public restrooms are also available.
Guests needing a particular accessible guest-room layout or event accommodation should contact the resort before arrival so the required features can be confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the address of River Terrace Resort and Convention Center?
A: The resort is located at 240 River Road, Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738.
Q: Is River Terrace Resort in downtown Gatlinburg?
A: Yes. It is in central Gatlinburg beside the Little Pigeon River and within walking distance of many downtown attractions.
Q: How many rooms does River Terrace Resort have?
A: Current major booking listings identify about 205 guest rooms or units.
Q: How much meeting space does River Terrace have?
A: Current event-venue data lists approximately 30,038 square feet of meeting space.
Q: How many meeting rooms are available?
A: Current Cvent information lists 11 meeting rooms.
Q: What is the largest meeting room?
A: The Ballroom is the largest published individual room at approximately 9,785 square feet.
Q: How many people can the Ballroom hold?
A: Westgate lists up to 1,000 theatre-style attendees, 500 banquet guests or 750 reception guests.
Q: How large is the Convention Center room?
A: The room identified as Convention Center covers approximately 8,013 square feet and is listed for up to 831 theatre-style attendees.
Q: Does River Terrace have free parking?
A: Yes. Westgate currently lists complimentary self-parking.
Q: Is there a Gatlinburg trolley stop?
A: Yes. Westgate lists trolley access at the resort.
Q: Does the resort have a swimming pool?
A: Yes. It currently lists one seasonal outdoor pool.
Q: Does River Terrace have a fitness center?
A: Yes. Westgate states that a fitness center with cardio and weight-training equipment is available.
Q: Is breakfast included?
A: Westgate’s current pages are inconsistent: one says breakfast is not included, while another advertises complimentary grab-and-go breakfast. Guests should confirm the current benefit attached to their reservation.
Q: Does the resort provide airport transportation?
A: No. Westgate states that it does not provide an airport shuttle.
Q: How far is McGhee Tyson Airport?
A: The nearest major airport is approximately 44 miles away, with driving time commonly around an hour or more depending on traffic.
Q: How far is Gatlinburg Convention Center?
A: Current lodging listings place the municipal Gatlinburg Convention Center about 0.4 mile away, generally around an eight-minute walk.
Q: Is River Terrace pet friendly?
A: Yes. Westgate permits up to two dogs per unit, with a combined weight limit of 60 pounds, subject to breed restrictions, cleaning fees and a refundable deposit.
Q: What time is check-in?
A: Check-in begins at 4:00 p.m.
Q: What time is check-out?
A: Check-out is at 10:00 a.m.
Q: Is River Terrace accessible for wheelchair users?
A: The resort lists accessible routes, designated accessible parking, pool access features, accessible public restrooms and elevator accessibility features.