Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country, with an average of more than 12 million visits per year over the past decade! This is not only due to the park’s convenient location within an easy drive of many major cities, but also the beautiful setting, historical buildings, abundance of wildlife, and more! Since the park can get quite busy during peak times, one of the toughest challenges can be parking at your favorite trail! Here are the top 4 Smoky Mountain parking tips for your visit to the National Park:
1. Choose Your Time Wisely
The most important Smoky Mountain parking tip is choosing your time wisely, especially when it comes to the most popular destinations in the park! Some of the best times to secure parking are mid-week, early morning, and late afternoon. While Great Smoky Mountains National Park draws crowds year-round, the summer months and fall are particularly busy, so it is especially important to plan ahead during these times of year. If you don’t mind a bit of cooler weather, consider visiting during the winter months when the temperatures are still relatively mild at the lower elevations!
2. Purchase a Parking a Tag
If you plan to park for more than 15 minutes anywhere within the National Park, make sure you have a valid parking tag displayed in the front, lower passenger side of your vehicle. There are several convenient ways to purchase your parking tag, including in-person sales locations, online purchases, and automated machines. While the parking tag was not intended to alleviate congestion, it does generate financial support to improve the park. Some of the significant improvements that have been made since the introduction of the tag in early 2023 include new parking spaces, road and facility maintenance, and increased park ranger presence.
3. Avoid Marked No-Parking Zones
Another one of the top Smoky Mountain parking tips for your visit to the National Park is to avoid no parking zones! While this may seem obvious, sometimes visitors do try to park in areas that are not specifically designed for parking. This not only adds to congestion but can damage resources and be a safety issue along busy roads. It can also make it difficult for emergency vehicles to access some locations in a timely manner!
4. Have a Solid Back-Up Plan
One of the best Smoky Mountain parking tips is to have a solid backup plan! Since parking is limited, you may not find a legal spot at your destination of choice. However, since there are 848 miles of trails, 384 miles of roads, 126 historic structures, and 11 picnic areas. there are always uncrowded destinations in the Smokies to explore! For example, if you want to see a waterfall, consider hiking the Gabes Mountain Trail to Hen Wallow Falls instead of Laurel Falls. Seeking iconic views? Try visiting Lookout Tower rather than Clingmans Dome!
Now that you’re familiar with these Smoky Mountain parking tips, you’re all set for a fun day in the National Park! If you prefer to leave the driving to someone else so you don’t have to deal with parking at all, consider these hiking shuttles that provide easy access into Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
