Park It Forward Program To Start In 2023

Starting in 2023, you will need to pay to park in the national park. Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced today the decision to adopt the Park It Froward parking tag program and to increase camping fees beginning next year. Parking tags will be required to be displayed on any motor vehicle parked within the park boundary beginning March 1, 2023. Approved parking rates are $5 for a daily parking tag, $15 for a parking tag for up to seven days, and $40 for an annual parking tag. 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. The Park It Forward idea had been raised back in April and the park had welcomed comments. Counties surrounding the park were mainly in favor of the fee system. For instance, 90% of those commenting from Cocke County were in favor, likewise with 82% in Blount County and 73% in Sevier County. Parking tags will not be required for motorists who pass through the area or who park vehicles for less than 15 minutes and park roads will remain toll free. To get information about where you will be able to purchase parking tags for the park, you can go online to the park’s website at http://www.nps.gov/grsm.planyourvisit/