Smoky Mountains Parking Pass: Everything You Need To Know

Entry to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is still FREE to enter — no Smoky Mountains parking pass required just to soak in the views.

🚗 But if you plan to park for more than 15 minutes, you’ll need a Smoky Mountains parking pass — also known as a Great Smoky Mountains parking tag, GSMNP parking pass, or Park It Forward pass.

This small pass helps maintain trails, restrooms, and the natural beauty that makes the Smokies unforgettable. Keep reading — we’ve got everything you need to know about parking in the Smokies so you can explore with ease and make the most of your visit.

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Enjoying the Beauty of the Smokies

There’s something magical about the Great Smoky Mountains—rolling views, cool mountain air, and peaceful places to pull over and soak it all in.

🌲 Cruise scenic roads with the windows down
📸 Stop at overlooks for photos or wildlife sightings
🥾 Wander down a trail or relax with a picnic

While exploring, just remember: if you’re parked longer than 15 minutes, a Smoky Mountains parking pass is required.

Smoky Mountains Parking Pass Options: Daily, Weekly, or Annual

It’s FREE to enter Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but if you plan to park for more than 15 minutes, you’ll need a Park It Forward parking pass.

So, not sure which pass you’ll need during your visit? Let’s take a look at your options before you purchase (where to purchase coming up next).

Here are your options:

1. Daily Pass – $5
   Just spending the day? This pass lets you park anywhere in the park for one full day.
2. Weekly Pass – $15
   Visiting for a few days? The 7-day pass is a convenient and budget-friendly choice.
3. Annual Pass – $40
   Planning multiple trips? The Park It Forward annual pass gives you unlimited parking for the whole year—ideal for regular visitors and locals.

Where to Get Your Smoky Mountains Parking Pass

Grabbing your Great Smoky Mountains parking tag is easy! Whether you’re planning ahead or already in the park, here’s how to get yours:

Buy Your Smoky Mountains Parking Tag Online

Daily and weekly tags can be purchased online — skip the lines and get your pass before you arrive.

→ Daily & Weekly Passes — Order HERE

Planning multiple trips? The annual parking tag is $40 and can also be ordered online. Allow up to two weeks for delivery and note that an $8.75 shipping fee applies.

→ Annual Pass — Order HERE

Purchase Your Smoky Mountains Parking Pass In Person

Prefer to grab your GSMNP parking pass in person? You have two easy options — stop by a visitor center during open hours or use a self-serve kiosk available 24/7 throughout the park.

Visitor Centers & Welcome Centers

Staff can assist you with your Great Smoky Mountains parking tag purchase during open hours at any of these locations. Several also have self-serve kiosks available outside for after-hours purchases!

• Sugarlands Visitor Center (Gatlinburg, TN)
• Oconaluftee Visitor Center (Cherokee, NC)
• Cades Cove Visitor Center (inside the park)
• Townsend Visitor Center (Townsend, TN)
• Great Smokies Welcome Center (Townsend, TN)
• Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont Store (Townsend, TN)
• Gatlinburg Welcome Center (near Gatlinburg, TN)
• Clingmans Dome Visitor Center (seasonal)
• Swain County Visitor Center (Bryson City, NC)

Kiosk also available at these Visitor & Welcome Centers:

• Sugarlands Visitor Center
• Oconaluftee Visitor Center
• Cades Cove Visitor Center
• Great Smokies Welcome Center
• Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont Store
• Clingmans Dome Visitor Center

Find a Self-Serve Parking Tag Kiosk Inside the Park

Need a Park It Forward pass while you’re already out and about? No problem! Self-serve kiosks are available 24/7 at several locations throughout the park:

Several visitor and welcome centers also have kiosks available — see the list above.

• Newfound Gap Overlook (on US 441 at the TN/NC state line)
• Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area
• Deep Creek Picnic Area
• Greenbrier Ranger Station
• Townsend Wye (at the Townsend entrance to the park)
• Cades Cove Orientation Shelter (Loop Road entrance)
• Look Rock Campground
• Cosby Picnic Area
• Big Creek
• Cataloochee Valley Overlook
• Clingmans Dome parking area (seasonal)

Kiosks accept credit cards and are available 24/7. Visit the NPS website for the most current locations.

How to Display Your Smoky Mountains Parking Pass

Once you’ve got your GSMNP parking pass or Great Smoky Mountains parking tag, make sure it’s visible before you hit the trail! Here’s how to display it correctly:

🚫 When You DON’T NEED a Smoky Mountain Parking Tag

There are a few times during your visit you won’t need a Smoky Mountains parking pass—let’s go over those details:

Short Stops in The Smokies Do Not Need A Pass

If you park for 15 minutes or less you DON’T NEED a pass. Perfect for quick pull-offs, stretching, or snapping a photo.

No Pass Needed for Frontcountry camping (AT your campsite)

No parking tag needed when frontcountry camping in the Smokies! If you’re planning on camping inside the Smoky Mountains at a designated campsite, your vehicle is covered while parked at your site. GSMNP has over 10 official frontcountry campgrounds including Elkmont, Cades Cove, Smokemont, Cosby, and more.

⚠️ BUT — you WILL need a pass if:

• You park in public areas like restrooms, check-in stations, or overflow lots for more than 15 minutes
• You’re parked anywhere else in the park outside your assigned campsite for more than 15 minutes
• You’re backcountry camping and leaving your vehicle at a trailhead or parking lot for the entire time your car is parked

Why Your Parking Pass Matters

When you buy a GSMNP parking pass or Great Smoky Mountains parking tag, you’re doing more than just securing a spot — you’re giving back to the Smokies.

Your purchase supports:

• 🔧 Trail and picnic area maintenance
• 🚻 Clean restrooms
• 👮 Ranger programs and essential park services
• 🗑️ Trash removal and resource protection

It helps preserve everything that makes the Smokies special—from the mountain views to the wildlife that call it home.

Whether you choose a daily, weekly, or annual pass, you’re helping protect the park’s future — and making your visit better today. That’s what the Great Smoky Mountains Park It Forward pass is all about! 🌲

Happy Trekkn, Friends – Have Fun Exploring the Smokies!

We love exploring the Smokies and we know you will too! So with your Park It Forward pass in hand, you’re ready to experience it all — from scenic drives to peaceful trails and incredible wildlife views. Slow down, take it all in, and enjoy every single moment in the Smokies. 🌲

📸 Share Your Smoky Mountain Adventure

Before you go, we’d love to hear from you!

💬 Comment below Tell us your favorite trail, overlook, or Smoky Mountain moment.

📲 Also, be sure to tag us on social Use #TennesseeTrekkn and connect with fellow trekkers.

Share your adventures in the mountains — we love seeing where the trails take you! 🥾

Let’s keep exploring the Smokies — one adventure at a time. We can’t wait to see where your trek takes you! 🥾🌲

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