Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee), known for its scenic beauty and recreational opportunities, is launching the ‘Park it Forward’ program on March 1, aimed at enhancing the visitor experience and protecting the park’s resources.
Visitors will be required to purchase and display a valid parking tag for any vehicle parked for more than 15 minutes. To make the transition as smooth as possible, the park is offering early sales of annual parking tags starting January 17, according to a news release by the National Park Service.
Superintendent Cassius Cash said, “Park it Forward is crucial to the future of the park and its resources,” and the revenue generated through the parking tag sales will be used to support the park’s operational costs.
He said the costs include trail maintenance, custodial services, and trash removal, as well as supporting more resource education programs, emergency responders, and law enforcement staff across the park.
The $40 annual parking tags will be available for purchase online through Great Smoky Mountains Association or at any of the park’s visitor centers. Annual tags purchased prior to March 1 will be valid through the end of March 2024.
The $5 daily and $15 weekly parking tags will become available for purchase on February 21 at 10 a.m. EST at recreation.gov. Visitors are reminded to plan ahead when visiting busy locations.
The park offers a wide range of recreational opportunities, such as 800 miles of trails and nearly 400 miles of scenic roadways. Visitors are encouraged to consider alternative options like visiting during off-peak hours, mid-week, and during the cooler months to increase the chances of securing a parking spot.
