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scenery in the great smoky mountains national park

6 Places To Buy a Great Smoky Mountains National Park Parking Pass

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 national 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

Cades Cove Visitor Center

Those visiting the Cades Cove area can conveniently purchase a 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. Clingmans Dome Visitor Center

Those looking to take in the incredible views from the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at Clingmans Dome can drop by this visitor center to purchase their 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 Clingmans Dome Observation Tower! You won’t believe the views!

4. Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Oconaluftee Visitors 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. Kiosks Throughout the Park

Smoky Mountains National Park entrance sign

Skip these visitor centers altogether by purchasing your parking tag for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at one of several automated kiosks scattered throughout the park! You’ll find these kiosks near Metcalf Bottoms, Newfound Gap Overlook and Deep Creek Campground. These kiosks are open 24/7 to purchase both daily and weekly tags. Annual tags must be purchased either at a visitor center or online.

6. 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 at the Great Smoky Mountains Association. Daily tags and weekly tags can be purchased through the recreation.gov website.

Any of these options are convenient ways to purchase a parking tag for your next visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Before you make your trip, learn more about the history of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!