Great Smoky Mountains National Park Parking Tags

An entrance pass is not required to access Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Great Smoky Mountains National Park does not charge an entrance fee. However, valid parking tags are required on any vehicles parking for longer than 15 minutes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. All revenue will stay in the park to provide sustainable, year-round support focusing on improving the visitor experience, protecting resources, and maintaining trails, roads, historic structures, and facilities. Visitors who simply drive through the park do not need a parking tag.

Parking Tag Basics

Three tag durations are available for purchase for all vehicle sizes and types:
- Daily - $5
- Weekly - $15
- Annual - $40
Parking tags are not replaceable, refundable, transferable, or upgradable.
Each tag is valid for a single vehicle and must include a license plate number matching the vehicle in which it is displayed.
Parking tags are available for purchase both online and onsite.
Display of physical parking tags in each vehicle is required. Digital representations are not accepted.
Parking tags are not location-specific. A parking tag is required to park anywhere within the boundaries of the Smokies.
Parking tags are not required for motorists who pass through the area or who park for less than 15 minutes.
Interagency passes (senior, access, etc.) are not accepted in lieu of a parking tag.

Parking Tag Purchase Options

In Person Sales Locations

Daily, weekly and annual parking tags are available for purchase at the stores listed below. Hours may vary seasonally. Daily and weekly parking tags purchased in person must be used starting on the date of purchase. Daily parking tags expire at 11:59pm ET on the date of purchase. Weekly parking tags expire at 11:59pm ET 7 days from the date of purchase.

In person sales locations:

Gatlinburg Welcome Center - 1011 Banner Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Sugarlands Visitor Center - 1420 Fighting Creek Gap Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Greenbrier Grocery - 2406 E. Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Great Smokies Welcome Center - 7929 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Townsend, TN 37882
Cades Cove Visitor Center - 686 Cades Cove Loop Road, Townsend, TN 37882
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont Store - 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN 37882
Clingmans Dome Visitor Center - 7078 Clingmans Dome Road, Cherokee, NC 28719
Oconaluftee Visitor Center - 1194 Newfound Gap Highway, Cherokee, NC 28719
Swain County Visitor Center - 2 Everett Street, Bryson City, NC 28713
Visit NC Smokies Visitor Center - 91 North Lakeshore Drive, Lake Junaluska, NC 28745

Automated Fee Machines

Daily and weekly parking tags are available for purchase by credit card from Automated Fee Machines, available year-round, 24 hours a day. Daily and weekly parking tags purchased at Automated Fee Machines must be used starting on the date of purchase. Daily parking tags expire at 11:59pm ET on the date of purchase. Weekly parking tags expire at 11:59pm ET 7 days from the date of purchase.

Automated Fee Machine Locations:

Online Purchase and Ship

Online Purchase and Print

Enjoy the convenience of purchasing your parking tag before you arrive.

Daily and weekly parking tags are available for purchase online through recreation.gov. Visitors MUST print and display their parking tag. Park staff will not print the tag for you.
Visitors are required to enter the date of their visit and their license plate number at the time of purchase. Tags may be purchased six months in advance of your visit.
Daily and weekly parking tags expire at 11:59pm ET on the date printed on the tag.

Purchase Daily or Weekly Tag

Display Your Parking Tag

Annual parking tags must be displayed in the front, lower passenger side windshield. Daily and weekly parking tags must be placed face-up on the front, lower passenger side dashboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

I have multiple vehicles in my household, can I transfer my parking tag between them?
No. Each parking tag is valid for a single vehicle and must include the license plate for the vehicle in which is it displayed.

Where should I display my valid parking tag?
Annual parking tags must be displayed in the front, lower passenger side windshield. Daily and weekly parking tags must be placed face-up on the front, lower passenger side dashboard.

If I have a parking tag, would I be guaranteed a parking spot?
No, parking tags will not a guarantee a specific parking spot in a specific location or for a specific time frame. Parking at the busiest areas will require visitors to plan ahead to choose off-peak hours, days, and seasons to better the chances of parking availability.

How will the parking tag requirement be enforced?
Failure to comply with the parking tag requirements may result in a warning, a citation, or your vehicle being towed at your expense. A variety of staff positions will assist in raising awareness of the program through presence across the park.

Find more information about this program at NPS.gov

Explore the Official

Vacation Guide

Subscribe to Win a

Dream Vacation

Download the

Gatlinburg App