Smoky Mountains Parking Pass: Everything You Need To Know

Entry to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is still FREE—no entrance fee required 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 called a 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 explore with ease and make the most of your visit.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting Tennessee Trekkn.

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

💻 Online:
Skip the lines and get your pass before you arrive.

• 👉 Daily & Weekly Passes – Order HERE
• 👉 Annual Pass – Order HERE

A few clicks and you’re ready for your Smoky Mountains adventure.

🏞️ Visitor Centers & Welcome Centers:
You can also purchase a pass at these in-person locations:

• Sugarlands Visitor Center (Gatlinburg, TN)
• Oconaluftee Visitor Center (Cherokee, NC)
• Cades Cove Visitor Center (inside the park)
• Townsend Visitor Center (Townsend, TN)
• Gatlinburg Welcome Center (near Gatlinburg, TN)
• Clingmans Dome Visitor Center (seasonal)
• Swain County Visitor Center (Bryson City, NC)

🅿️ Kiosks:
Need a pass while you’re out and about? No problem.
Self-serve kiosks are located at several popular spots, including:

• Newfound Gap
• Deep Creek
• Metcalf Bottoms
• Big Creek
• Cataloochee
• Elkmont
• Greenbrier
• Smokemont

So, no matter how you get it—online, in person, or at a kiosk—just grab your pass and enjoy the magic of the Smokies!

How to Display Your Smoky Mountains Parking Pass

Once you’ve got your GSMNP parking pass, make sure it’s visible before you hit the trail! Here’s how to do it right:

1. Daily & Weekly Passes
   Place the pass face-up on the lower passenger side of your dashboard so rangers can see it clearly.
2. Annual Pass
   Stick it to the inside of your windshield—front, lower passenger side.
3. Motorcycles
   Attach the annual pass to the windshield or any visible surface on the bike.

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

⛺ Frontcountry Camping (At Your Site Only)
Good news! GSMNP has over 10 official frontcountry campgrounds—including Elkmont, Cades Cove, Smokemont, Cosby, and more.

If you’re staying overnight at a designated campsite in a national park campground,
you DON’T NEED a parking pass while your vehicle is parked at that site.

🚫 BUT—you WILL NEED a pass if:

• You or your visitors park in public areas of the campground—like near 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.

🥾 Backcountry Camping
If you’re hiking into the backcountry and leaving your vehicle in the park (like at a trailhead or parking lot), you WILL NEED a valid parking tag for the entire time your car is parked.

♿ Accessible Parking
Also, vehicles with a valid, state-issued disabled placard or license plate DON’T NEED a parking pass to park.

🌲 Why Your Parking Pass Matters

When you buy a GSMNP parking pass, 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 also essential park services

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.

😊 Happy Trekkn, Friends – Have Fun Exploring the Smokies!

So, with your PARK IT FORWARD pass in hand, you’re ready to explore the Great Smoky Mountains—from scenic drives to peaceful trails and wildlife views. Also, don’t forget to slow down and enjoy the journey!

🎒 Take in the scenery
🦌 Respect the wildlife
📸 Snap those memories
💛 Soak up every second

📸 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.

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

This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you.

Thanks for supporting Tennessee Trekkn.