A day in the Smokies might mean driving Cades Cove, picnicking by the river, hiking a favorite trail, or pulling over for a mountain view. However you spend it, there’s one thing to know before you park: you may need a Smoky Mountains parking pass.
Entry to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is still free, but you’ll need a parking tag if you park for more than 15 minutes. Daily, weekly, and annual tags are available.
The process is simple, but a few details matter. Most trailheads don’t sell tags, online tags must be printed, and a photo on your phone won’t count.
Here’s everything to sort out before you go.
QUICK BREAKDOWN: SMOKY MOUNTAINS PARKING PASS
Cost: $5 daily • $15 weekly • $40 annual
Required: parking over 15 minutes
Buy: online, visitor centers, or 24/7 kiosks
Display: printed tag visible through your windshield
(park entry still FREE!) 🌲
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What the Smoky Mountains Parking Pass Is and Why It Matters
The parking pass is part of the park’s Park It Forward program, and it isn’t an entrance fee. You can still drive through the Smokies, stop briefly at overlooks, and take in the views for free. The tag comes into play when you park for more than 15 minutes.
Newfound Gap Road through Great Smoky Mountains National ParkEven better, every dollar from parking tags stays right here in the Smokies. Those funds help care for the park and support things visitors use every day, including:
- Trail maintenance
- Clean restrooms
- Trash removal
- Ranger and law enforcement staffing
Parking Tip: A parking tag doesn’t guarantee a parking spot. Popular areas fill quickly, especially during peak seasons, so arrive early and always park in designated spaces.
Choosing Your Smoky Mountains Parking Pass
There are three parking tag options, so choosing one mostly comes down to how long you’ll be visiting the Smokies.
Daily Parking Tag — $5
Good for a single day in the park and valid until 11:59 p.m. on the date printed. If you’re visiting for the day, this is the simplest option.
Weekly Parking Tag — $15
Staying a few days? The weekly tag covers seven consecutive days and is valid until 11:59 p.m. on the date printed.
Annual Parking Tag — $40
If you visit the Smokies throughout the year, the annual tag may make the most sense. It’s valid for 12 months from the month of purchase.
Trekkn Tip: Planning three or more days in the park? A weekly tag costs the same as three daily tags. And if you’ll park in the Smokies more than eight days during the year, the annual tag starts saving you money.
♿ Disability Parking Tag Exemption
Vehicles displaying a valid, state-issued disability placard or license plate do not need a Smoky Mountains parking tag.
Yes. I’d add all three. They make this section more useful because readers can choose a buying method and immediately know what to do next.
I’d also keep the $9.25 shipping for now since we’re intentionally refreshing this post with verified current information. We can flag it as something to check during future annual updates.
Where to Buy Your Smoky Mountains Parking Pass
You can buy a parking tag before your trip or once you arrive. However, planning ahead can save you some trouble, especially if you’re heading straight to a trailhead or a quieter part of the park.
Buy Online
Daily and weekly parking tags can be purchased online before your visit. Print your tag at home before heading into the park. A digital copy or photo on your phone won’t count.
Ordering an annual tag online? Allow up to three weeks for delivery. Shipping is currently $9.25.
→ Daily & Weekly Parking Tags: Order on Recreation.gov
→ Annual Parking Tag: Order from Smokies Life
Buy at a Visitor Center
You can also pick up a parking tag at visitor centers in and around the Smokies. This is a good option if you’re arriving from out of town or want an annual tag without waiting for it to arrive in the mail.
Parking tags are available at locations including:
- Sugarlands Visitor Center
- Oconaluftee Visitor Center
- Cades Cove Visitor Center
- Townsend Visitor Center
- Gatlinburg Welcome Center
→ See the full list of GSMNP visitor centers on the NPS website.
This is a good option for out-of-town visitors who want an annual tag but don’t have enough time to wait for one to arrive in the mail.
Buy at a Parking Tag Kiosk
Parking tag kiosks are located throughout the park, operate 24 hours a day, and accept credit cards. Since you won’t find one everywhere you park, it’s a good idea to know where you’ll get your tag before heading out.
→ See all kiosk locations on the NPS website.
Trailhead Heads-Up: Most trailheads don’t have parking tag kiosks. If you’re heading out for a hike, buy your tag before you arrive at the trailhead.
How to Display Your Smoky Mountains Parking Tag
Before you leave your vehicle, make sure your parking tag is clearly visible so rangers can see it while you’re parked.
- Daily and weekly tags: Place face-up on the lower passenger side of your dashboard.
- Annual tags: Stick to the inside of your windshield on the lower passenger side.
Make sure your license plate number is on the tag. Each tag is valid for one vehicle only and can’t be transferred.
Don’t Forget: Buying the tag isn’t enough. A printed tag needs to be displayed while you’re parked. A phone screenshot or purchase confirmation won’t count.
When You Don’t Need a Smoky Mountains Parking Tag
Not every visit to the Smokies requires a parking tag. You can still drive through Great Smoky Mountains National Park for free, and there are a few situations when you won’t need one.
You don’t need a parking tag when:
- Parking for 15 minutes or less
- Driving through the park without parking
- Parking at your registered campsite
- Displaying a valid state-issued disability placard or license plate
- Visiting on an NPS fee-free entrance day
In 2026, two fee-free days remain—October 27 and November 11. Parking tags are not required on either day.
Camping Note: You’ll still need a tag if you’re backcountry camping and leaving your vehicle at a trailhead, or if you’re camping and park anywhere outside your campsite for more than 15 minutes.
Fee-Free Day Tip: A fee-free day doesn’t change the park’s parking rules. Park only in designated areas and follow posted parking restrictions.
GOOD TO KNOW — OTHER PARKING TAG EXEMPTIONS
Some visitors and groups are also exempt from the parking tag requirement, including:
- School groups
- Permitted researchers
- Certain Special Use Permit holders
Exempt groups may still need to display a parking placard, so check the details before you go.
Smoky Mountains Parking Pass FAQs
Still have questions? Here are quick answers to the most common ones about the Park It Forward parking pass!
Nope! The Smokies are FREE to enter, but the Park It Forward parking tag is a separate fee. Daily tags start at just $5.
Yes! A valid disabled placard from any U.S. state is accepted — just keep it visible on the dashboard.
Allow up to three weeks for delivery (plus a $9.25 shipping fee). Short on time? Pick up an annual tag at a Smokies Life visitor center when you arrive, or buy a daily or weekly tag online and print it at home before your trip.
Not at your campsite! But park anywhere else for over 15 minutes and you’ll need one. Backcountry campers parking at a trailhead do need one, too. 🌲
→ Planning a trip? Explore our Smoky Mountain camping guide
You could get a parking violation. Rangers check regularly — grab your pass online or at a visitor center to be safe!
Plan Your Trip to the Smokies
Here’s where to book your Smoky Mountain getaway — cabins, hotels, flights, and rental cars all in one spot.
Your Smoky Mountains Day Starts Here
With your parking tag sorted, the rest of the day is yours. Take the slow drive through Cades Cove, find a spot by the river, or catch a sunrise from an overlook.
The Smokies have a way of reminding us to slow down and take in the beauty God put right here in our backyard.
Happy Trekkn’, Friends!
→ Buy me a coffee ☕ if this saved you a parking headache in the Smokies. Your support helps keep the Smoky Mountain tips, camping ideas, and Tennessee adventures coming. Thanks for being here!
Disclosure: This site contains links from our trusted partners, including Amazon. If you book or purchase through these we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support!
Hi, so my Mom has a handicap parking plaque but for the state of GA where we live. Ok to use it for parking? It says state issued handicap plaque but not which state.
Great question! In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, vehicles with a valid handicap placard or license plate do not need to purchase a parking tag. So your mom’s Georgia-issued placard is perfectly fine to use—just make sure it’s displayed clearly. These state-issued placards are recognized across all U.S. states. Hope y’all have a wonderful time exploring the Smokies!
What if you have a America the Beautiful pass that lets you into any national park for free?
Great question! The America the Beautiful pass covers entrance fees — but since Great Smoky Mountains National Park is already free to enter, it doesn’t apply here. The Park It Forward parking tag is a separate parking fee and is not covered by the pass. The good news is daily tags start at just $5! 🌲
You should go by national park entrance fee. Guess they are more money for parking.
Visiting the Smokies is still free! 😊 The parking pass is only needed if you plan to park for more than 15 minutes inside the national park.