Great Smoky Mountains National Park unveiled plans aimed at enhancing the park’s infrastructure and visitor experience. This funding, generated through the Park it Forward program, underscores the park’s stewardship, emphasizing visitor safety, the augmentation of park ranger presence, and the upkeep and improvement of public facilities.
In its inaugural year, the Park it Forward initiative successfully raised over $10 million from recreation fee revenues, according to a press release. It includes the sale of parking tags and camping fees.
“Our team at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is grateful for the support of our partners, our neighbors, and the millions of visitors who are helping us take care of one of the country’s most visited national parks,” Superintendent Cassius Cash said.
The Park it Forward program, initiated in March 2023, was established to safeguard the park’s natural beauty and improve visitor amenities. By purchasing parking tags—priced at $5 for a day, $15 for a week, or $40 annually—park visitors directly contribute to these conservation efforts. The program also saw an increase in camping fees, with the assurance that all proceeds would be reinvested into the park.
“We’re already using this funding to increase our search and rescue program, add parking spaces at the Laurel Falls trailhead, and we are in the process of hiring more than 25 new park rangers,” Cash said.
Among the key initiatives funded by these revenues is the formation of the park’s first Preventative Search and Rescue (PSAR) team. Comprising seven rangers, this team focuses on reducing the necessity for search and rescue operations through proactive visitor education and preparation. Additionally, the park has introduced a team of arborists responsible for the removal of hazardous trees, enhancing safety, especially post-storm.
The increase in park ranger presence is another significant outcome of the Park it Forward program. Since March 2023, eight roving rangers have been employed, engaging with visitors across the park, assisting in numerous search and rescue operations, and maintaining the cleanliness of the park by removing over 612 pounds of trash.
Improvements are not limited to safety and personnel enhancements. The park is also investing in infrastructure, including the maintenance of roads, bridges, and tunnels, and the upkeep of campgrounds and picnic areas. Noteworthy projects include the resurfacing of the Cosby access road, the replacement of horse stalls at Tow String Horse Camp, and the enhancement of several campgrounds throughout the park.
“There’s so much more to come—our team continues to plan fee-funded projects for future years to address needed maintenance and to improve your experience in the park,” Cash added.
The visitor experience is at the forefront of the park’s enhancement strategy. Plans include the construction of 50 new parking spaces at Laurel Falls Trailhead, the rehabilitation of Mingus Mill, and the provision of accessible amenities at Look Rock Campground. Efforts to maintain cleanliness and safety, such as replacing steel bear-proof dumpsters and increasing cleaning frequencies at busy restrooms, are also underway.
“We look forward to continuing to demonstrate the value of this historic investment in Great Smoky Mountains National Park,” Cash added.