What’s one of the most important things to know before you go to Great Smoky Mountains National Park? The parking tag requirement! You’ll need one if you plan to park your vehicle longer than 15 minutes, but there are certain exceptions you should know about. Keep reading for a list of ways to avoid paying for parking at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
1. Take Advantage of the Free Entrance Days
One way to avoid paying for parking in the GSMNP is to take advantage of the free entrance days. Since this national park doesn’t charge an entrance fee, these are the annual holidays when visitors don’t have to pay a parking fee:
- Presidents' Day (Washington’s Birthday)
- Memorial Day
- Flag Day
- Independence Day Weekend
- Birthday of the National Park Service (August 25th)
- Constitution Day
- Theodore Roosevelt’s Birthday
- Veterans Day
The Free Entrance Days at Great Smoky Mountains National Park are very popular. You should arrive early because parking is limited. Being an early bird in the Smokies is a great way to enjoy quieter trails and milder temperatures!
2. Take a Scenic Drive
Visitors are not required to have a parking pass if they are simply driving through the park. Here are a couple of our favorite scenic routes:
Cades Cove Loop Road: Open Year-Round
This road is 11 miles long, and it has everything that makes the Smokies great. Admire the natural scenery and rustic historical buildings. You may even see animals wandering around.
Want to extend your drive? Instead of leaving the way you came, you can take Parson Branch or Rich Mountain Road out of Cades Cove. They are both open seasonally during the warmer months. There is no wrong choice as they both have stunning views.
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail: Open May–November
This is a route that is 5.5 miles one-way. Some of the things you’ll see include stunning waterfalls. One of them is Grotto Falls. It is a 25-foot waterfall that is home to many salamanders. You will also see some historical buildings along the way as well. The Jim Bales Cabin was built by the namesake, who worked as a farmer. The property also has a farm and a corn crib, which are remnants of pioneer life in the Smokies.
3. Take a Hiking Shuttle
Another great parking tip at GSMNP is to take a hiking shuttle to your trailhead. Some trails, such as Alum Cave, are very popular. A lot of visitors want to explore them, and there is limited parking at the trailhead. Taking a shuttle to a trailhead allows visitors to park their vehicles in another location and ride to the trailhead. What’s more? You don’t have to do any extra walking, which allows you to conserve energy!
Learn More About the Smoky Mountains Parking Tag
While you can avoid paying for parking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it is important to know that the proceeds from the parking pass improve the area! Read about how the Smoky Mountains parking pass is helping to improve the park.
