Parking Fees and Passes
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has announced the adoption of the Park It Forward program. Beginning March 1, 2023, parking tags will be required for parking anywhere within the boundaries of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Visitation to the park has seen considerable growth over the past decade, which has increased the wear and tear on aging facilities and undue strain on limited park staff. New funding sources are needed to rehabilitate and preserve the Smokies.
The revenue from the Park It Forward program will be invested in protecting Great Smoky Mountains National Park for future generations. The money will be used to directly support operational costs for managing and improving services for visitors including trail maintenance, custodial services, trash removal and supporting more staffing to increase the presence of personnel across the park.
The $40 annual parking tags will be available for purchase online through Great Smoky Mountains Association or at any of the park’s visitor centers. Annual tags purchased prior to March 1 will be valid through the end of March 2024. The $5 daily and $15 weekly parking tags will become available for purchase February 21 at 10 a.m. EST at recreation.gov.
Parking Tag Fees
Three tag durations will be available for purchase for all vehicle sizes and types:
- Daily – $5
- Weekly – $15
- Annual – $40
Program Basics
- Parking tags will not be replaceable, refundable, transferable, or upgradable.
- Each tag will be valid for a single vehicle and must include a license plate number matching the vehicle in which it is displayed.
- Parking tags will be available for purchase both online and onsite.
- Display of physical parking tags in each vehicle will be required. Digital representations will not be accepted.
- Parking tags will not be location specific. A parking tag will be required to park in any designated parking spot anywhere within the boundaries of the Smokies.
- Parking tags will not be required for motorists who pass through the area or who park for less than 15 minutes.
Visit the National Park Service website for a complete list of fee rates that will go into effect on March 1, 2023, as well as FAQs on the park’s new Park It Forward program.