In short
- Park entry is free, but parking requires a tag for stops over 15 minutes.
- Tags cost $5 per day, $15 per week, or $40 annually.
- You must print the tag and display it visibly in your vehicle.
In this article
Great Smoky Mountains National Park does not have entrance gates or entry fees. However, a parking tag is strictly required if your vehicle is parked anywhere inside the park for more than 15 minutes. This rule applies year-round to all visitor centers, trailheads, and roadside pull-offs.
Do I need a parking pass for the Smoky Mountains?
Yes, you need a parking tag to park longer than 15 minutes anywhere in the park.
While it costs nothing to drive through the park, stopping to hike, picnic, or use visitor centers requires a valid parking tag. If you only plan to stop for less than 15 minutes, a tag is not required. The tags help fund park maintenance and visitor services.
How much does a Great Smoky Mountains parking tag cost?
A parking tag costs $5 per day, $15 for a week, or $40 for an annual pass.
You choose the tag duration that fits your trip. The daily and weekly tags are specific to the dates you select at purchase. The annual tag is valid for one full year from the month of purchase.
Where and how do I buy a parking tag?
You can buy a parking tag online, at visitor centers, or at automated fee machines.
Many visitors purchase their tags at the Sugarlands Visitor Center or other park locations upon arrival. If you buy online before your trip, you must print the tag. Automated fee machines throughout the park accept credit cards but not cash.
How do I display the parking tag in my vehicle?
The tag must be printed and visibly displayed on your vehicle's dashboard.
Digital tags on your phone are not accepted. Park rangers need to see the printed pass through your windshield. Ensure the license plate number on the tag matches the vehicle you are driving.
Do guided tours include a parking tag?
Most guided tours do not include a parking tag if you meet inside the park.
If you book an activity like guided fly fishing or a walking tour, check the exclusions. You often need to purchase your own parking tag to leave your vehicle at the meeting point. Tours that pick you up outside the park handle the parking rules for their own vehicles.
What happens if I park without a tag?
You will receive a ticket and a strict fine for parking without a valid tag.
Park rangers actively patrol parking lots, trailheads, and scenic pull-offs. Always secure and display your tag before starting your hike or sightseeing.
Questions travellers ask
How much does it cost to get into Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
It is free to enter the park. There are no entrance gates. You only pay for a parking tag if you stop and park for longer than 15 minutes.
Can I show my parking tag on my phone?
No. You must print your parking tag and display it on your vehicle's dashboard. Digital copies on your phone are not accepted, and cell service is severely limited in the park anyway.
Do I need a parking tag to drive the Cades Cove Loop Road?
You do not need a tag if you drive the 11-mile loop without stopping. However, if you park your vehicle to look at historic cabins or walk a trail, a parking tag is required.
