The next time you visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you’ll need to purchase a parking tag! Valid parking tags are now required to park inside the national park as part of the Park it Forward program. Annual passes are $40, weekly passes are $15 and daily passes cost $5. The good news is you can purchase a parking pass for your trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in a number of different ways! Here are 6 places to buy a Great Smoky Mountains National Park parking pass:
1. Sugarlands Visitor Center
Sugarlands Visitors Center is one of the most popular visitor centers in the park and where you can purchase a Great Smoky Mountains National Park parking pass! Located in the North District of the National Park, Sugarlands Visitor Center includes exhibits on the park’s plants and animals, seasonal ranger-led programs, a bookstore, a shop, public restrooms and vending machines. Stop by before exploring one of several hiking trails nearby!
2. Cades Cove Visitor Center
Those visiting the Cades Cove area can conveniently purchase a Great Smoky Mountains National Park parking pass at the Cades Cove Visitor Center! This visitor center is located about halfway through the Cades Cove Loop Road. You can easily reach a grist mill and numerous historical structures from the Cades Cove Visitor Center! Various exhibits, seasonal ranger-led programs, a bookstore, a shop, public restrooms and vending machines are all found at this visitor center.
3. Kuwohi Visitor Center
Those looking to take in the incredible views from the highest point in the park at Kuwohi can drop by this visitor center to purchase their Great Smoky Mountains National Park parking pass! Explore the small bookstore and shop, take a restroom break, grab a drink or snack or learn about the Smokies before trekking up to the Kuwohi Observation Tower! You won’t believe the views!
4. Oconaluftee Visitor Center
Oconaluftee Visitor Center is located near Cherokee, North Carolina and a great starting point as you enter the South District of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! The Mountain Farm Museum, where you’ll find several special log structures like a barn, a smokehouse, a farmhouse, an applehouse, a corn crib and more, is adjacent to this visitor center. Stop by Oconaluftee Visitor Center to take part in seasonal ranger-led programs, explore a shop and bookstore or make a quick pit stop before hiking to Mingus Mill!
5. Online
You don’t even need to leave the comfort of your own home to purchase a Great Smoky Mountains National Park parking tag! Grab your tag before you even leave town! You can purchase your annual parking pass online through Smokies Life. Daily tags and weekly tags can be purchased through the recreation.gov website.
6. Kiosks Throughout the Park
Skip these visitor centers altogether by purchasing your Great Smoky Mountains National Park parking pass at one of several automated kiosks scattered throughout the park! You’ll find these kiosks at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area, Newfound Gap Overlook, Deep Creek Picnic Area, Greenbrier Ranger Station, and Townsend Wye to name a few. These kiosks are open 24/7 to purchase both daily and weekly tags. Annual tags must be purchased either at an in-person location or online. For a full list of kiosk locations, click here.
7. Welcome Centers & More
Great Smoky Mountains National Park parking passes can be purchased at welcome centers throughout the region and a handful of stores. They include:
- Gatlinburg Welcome Center
- The Great Smokies Welcome Center
- Graham County Travel and Tourism & Welcome Center
- Visit Haywood Welcome Center
- Swain County Visitor Center
- Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont Store
- Greenbrier Grocery
8. REI Locations
Need some gear for your adventures in the national park? Knock out 2 birds with 1 stone by getting your gear and Great Smoky Mountains National Park parking pass at an REI location in the region and beyond! REI locations where you can purchase a parking tag include:
- 2655 Teaster Ln Suite 310, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- 6700 Papermill Dr NW, Knoxville, TN 37919
- 31 Schenck Pkwy, Chattanooga, TN 37421
- 1140 Woodruff Rd Ste 400, Greenville, SC 29607
- 31 Schenck Parkway, Asheville, NC 28803
Any of these options are convenient ways to purchase a Great Smoky Mountains National Park parking pass for your next visit! Before you make your trip, learn more about the history of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
