TN · NC · Southeast · 2026 exact answer
Backcountry camping permit at Great Smoky Mountains: what applies in 2026?
Direct answer
Backcountry camping permit (does NOT exempt you from the parking tag)
Exact conditions
- Status
- Required under the listed conditions
- Applies to
- specific activity
- Place or corridor
- All backcountry campsites and shelters, including the Appalachian Trail shelters inside the park
- Effective dates
- January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026
- Published fee
- $8
- Release model
- unpublished
Release detail: "Beginning April 30, all new permits will be issued through Recreation.gov." The page does not state the year on the sentence fetched, and publishes no advance-booking window; treat the year with caution.
Fee detail: "The $8 per-person, per-night backcountry camping fee will remain the same." plus a "New $6 non-refundable permit fee."
Exceptions and limits
- Not required for day hiking.
Official source
National Park Service · reviewed August 27, 2026
"Obtaining a backcountry camping permit does not exempt you from the parking tag requirement." "The $8 per-person, per-night backcountry camping fee will remain the same." "New $6 non-refundable permit fee." "Beginning April 30, all new permits will be issued through Recreation.gov."
Backcountry Camping - Backpacking - Great Smoky Mountains National Park