Park It Forward parking tag at Great Smoky Mountains: what applies in 2026?

Exact conditions

Status

Required under the listed conditions

Applies to

vehicles

Effective dates

January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026

Published fee

$5

Release model

on sale now

Release detail: Tags are sold on demand with no release window, no quota, and no advance-booking date. They can be bought online at Recreation.gov, at automated machines and visitor centers in the park, and annual tags through Smokies Life. "Tags are available throughout the park, but most trailheads don't have parking tag machines."

Fee detail: "Daily - $5 / Weekly - $15 / Annual - $40". The weekly tag is described elsewhere on the page as covering up to seven days. "Parking tags are not replaceable, refundable, transferable, or upgradable".

Exceptions and limits

• No tag is needed if you drive through without stopping, or park for 15 minutes or less.
• "Parking tags will not be required" on the 2026 federal free entrance days.
• Holders of a disability placard or disability license plate are exempt.
• School groups with an approved waiver application are exempt.
• Permitted researchers are exempt during research activities.
• Burials, cemetery visits, Decoration Days, and First Amendment activities are exempt with an exemption placard.
• An America the Beautiful / Senior / Access / Military pass does NOT substitute for a parking tag.
• "Obtaining a backcountry camping permit does not exempt you from the parking tag requirement."
• "Display of physical parking tags in each vehicle is required. Digital representations are not accepted."
• "Purchasing a parking tag does not guarantee you a parking spot."
• Anywhere inside the park boundary. Tags are not location-specific.