New Fees for Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Historically Great Smoky Mountain National Park has never charged an entrance fee. The original deed contained a restriction that prohibited tolls on the park roads; while a subsequent federal law prevented the National Park Service (NPS) from charging entrance fees at parks that prohibited toll roads. And although that was good news for the visiting public, entrance fees help fund park operations. And with park visitation at an all time high at Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the NPS needed to take action. To that end, there will be an increase in camping fees and a new parking fee will be implemented in 2023. Here’s what you need to know about the new fees for Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Park it Forward Program
Beginning on March 1, 2023, Great Smoky Mountain National Park will implement a new Park it Forward Program. At that time, parking tags will be required on any vehicle parked within the park boundary. Parking rates are $5 for a daily parking tag, $15 for a weekly parking tag, and $40 for an annual parking tag.
Parking tags are not required for vehicles that pass through the park, or that are parked for less than 15 minutes. Frontcountry campers parked at their designated campsites will not need a parking tag; however if they park elsewhere in the park they’ll have to purchase one. All backcountry campers will be required to purchase a parking tag. Additionally, a parking tag will still required even if you have an America the Beautiful Pass.
It should also be noted that there will be no cap on the number of parking tags that are sold, so purchasing one does not guarantee a parking space. Keep in mind that Great Smoky Mountain National Park is America’s most visited national park, so plan ahead and get to the popular sites early.
Parking tags will be available for purchase online and in person. And the good news is, all revenue generated from this new program will stay in the park.
Camping Fee Increase
Visitors will also see camping fees increase in 2023. Here’s a rundown on the new rates.
Frontcountry campsites will be raised to $30 per night for primitive sites and $36 per night for sites with electric hookups. America the Beautiful pass holders will still receive a 50% discount on frontcountry camping fees.
Backcountry camping fees will also increase. They will be raised to $8 per night, with a $40 per-camper maximum.
The fees for group camps, horse camps and picnic pavilions will also increase. This increase is dependent on the size of the group and the location of the the site, but it will range between 20 percent and 30 percent.
Daily rental rates for the Appalachian Clubhouse will increase to $300, while daily rental rates for the Spence Cabin in Elkmont will increase to $200.
For more information the new fees for Great Smoky Mountain National Park, visit www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/2023-fees.htm. And for details on wheelchair-accessible trails and attraction in Great Smoky Mountain National park, visit emerginghorizons.com/an-accessible-smoky-mountain-day-trip.
National Park Resources
Wheelchair-Accessible Smoky Mountain Cabins
