Plan Your Visit
Key Information
Parking Tag Required
Parking tags are required for all vehicles parking for longer than 15 minutes.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park does not charge an entrance fee. However, parking tags are required for all vehicles parking for longer than 15 minutes.
2024 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks
Come experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates:
- Monday, January 15 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Saturday, April 20 — First Day of National Park Week
- Wednesday, June 19 — Juneteenth
- Sunday, August 4 — The Great American Outdoors Act
- Saturday, September 28 — National Public Lands Day
- Monday, November 11 — Veterans Day
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- Duration:
- 1 minute, 30 seconds
Learn all you need to know about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park parking tag program.
Parking Tag Basics
- Three tag durations are available for purchase for all vehicle sizes and types:
- Daily - $5
- Weekly - $15
- Annual - $40
- Parking tags are not replaceable, refundable, transferable, or upgradable.
- Each tag is valid for a single vehicle and must include a license plate number matching the vehicle in which it is displayed.
- Parking tags are available for purchase both online and onsite.
- Display of physical parking tags in each vehicle is required. Digital representations are not accepted.
- Parking tags are not location-specific. A parking tag is required to park anywhere within the boundaries of the Smokies.
- Parking tags are not required for motorists who pass through the area or who park for less than 15 minutes.
- Interagency passes (senior, access, etc.) are not accepted in lieu of a parking tag.
Parking Tag Purchase Options
Display Your Parking Tag
Annual parking tags must be displayed in the front, lower passenger side windshield. Daily and weekly parking tags must be placed face-up on the front, lower passenger side dashboard.
FAQ
Parking Tag Fee Exemptions
Find information about exemption processes in the content below.
Partner Communications Toolkit
Check out our Partner Communications Toolkit for lots of great resources!
2023 Fee Program Change Background Information
Review the full list of fee program changes effective March 1, 2023 including results from civic engagement.
