Parking In The Smoky Mountains
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About the Parking Tag Requirement
Types of Parking Tags
There are three parking tag durations that are available for purchase. A daily pass is $5, a weekly pass can be purchased for $15, and an annual parking tag is $40. The prices are the same for all vehicle types and sizes.
Parking Tag Guidelines
- Physical parking tags must be displayed in the vehicle, and digital tags will not be accepted.
- Each tag is only valid for a single vehicle and it must include the license plate number of the vehicle in which it is displayed.
- Parking tags may be purchased online and onsite at locations within the park.
- Parking tags are required anywhere within the boundaries of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for vehicles parked for more than 15 minutes.
- Parking tags are not replaceable, refundable, transferable, or upgradeable.
- Annual parking tags must be displayed in the front, lower passenger side windshield.
- Daily and weekly tags must be placed face-up on the lower side of the passenger side dashboard.
How to Purchase a Parking Tag
There are a variety of options for those who are looking to purchase their parking tags, including:
- Purchasing an annual parking tag through Great Smoky Mountains Association and having it shipped straight to your door.
- Purchasing both daily and weekly parking tags through recreation.gov and printing them at home. Note that the park will not be able to print your parking tag for you.
- Purchasing all variations of parking tags onsite at welcome and visitor centers across the national park. The locations where you can purchase your parking tag in person include the Gatlinburg Welcome Center, Sugarlands Visitor Center, Townsend Visitor Center, Cades Cove Visitor Center, Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont Store, Clingmans Dome Visitor Center, Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Swain County Visitor Center, and Visit NC Smokies Visitor Center.
- Daily and weekly parking tags are available for purchase by credit card from automated machines available throughout the park. Guests can access machines year-round, 24 hours a day.
FAQs About Parking Tags
Do parking tags guarantee a parking spot?
expand_moreNo, parking tags will not guarantee a parking spot at a specific location or for a specific time.
What are the consequences of failing to purchase a parking tag?
expand_moreFailure to comply with the parking tag guidelines may result in a warning, citation, or your vehicle being towed at your expense.
When do daily and weekly tags expire?
expand_moreDaily and weekly parking tags will expire at 11:59 pm ET on the date that is listed on the tag.
Can interagency passes be used in place of a parking tag?
expand_moreNo, those with America the Beautiful passes will still need to purchase and display a parking tag in their vehicle.
Will NPS Fee Free Days be honored?
expand_moreYes, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will continue to participate in NPS fee-free days, and visitors will not need a parking tag for those days.
Are vehicles with disabled parking placards exempt?
expand_moreYes, visitors with valid, state-issued disabled tags are exempt from having to purchase a parking tag.
How are proceeds from the parking tags being used?
expand_moreAll revenue generated from the parking tags is being directly put back into the operational costs for managing and improving services for guests, including trail maintenance, trash removal, and staffing increases.
Will there be a limit on the number of parking tags sold?
expand_moreNo, the park does not limit the number of parking tags sold on any given day or week.
Smoky Mountain National Park
About the Smoky Mountains
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States! It has some of the best hiking, fishing and wildlife viewing you'll find in the U.S. We're sharing the inside scoop with you so you can plan your next trip to the Smokies.
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