Parking Fees Coming to the Smoky Mountains in 2023

This was a topic discussed earlier this year, and it has been announced that indeed there will be parking fees in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park next year. This does not surprise me, since it was all but ensured from the wording in Park leadership’s responses during the discussion process.

Named the ‘Park It Forward’ plan, not only will there be a parking fee, but camping will also cost a little more in 2023. Beginning March 1st, you will need to buy a $5 per day parking tag, or a $15 weekly pass to park anywhere within the designated areas in the Smoky Mountains. An annual fee of $40 is also an option for those that frequent the area.

Park officials say there will be no toll to enter, and you can park for as long as 15 minutes before being issued a warning or citation. The Park Service does not list what fines may be given, only saying they want to educate visitors that aren’t following the rules. The parking pass doesn’t guarantee a spot at your favorite place; it is still first-come, first-served.

With Park visitation at an all-time high, it became a necessity to institute these fees. I am on the fence with this, but I feel like it is generally a good thing, especially if it means more money for trail and road maintenance among many other aspects involved with the upkeep of a popular National Park. If you’re wondering, support for the project has been high. Local residents in the surrounding counties have expressed their approval.

What are your thoughts? It’s obviously a hot-button issue, but like it or not, it will be a thing starting next March.