SMOKY MOUNTAINS COST CALCULATOR
There's no entrance fee — but you need a Park It Forward parking tag. Get your exact total for tags, lodging, and dining. Free, no sign-up.
Driving Newfound Gap Road, the Cades Cove loop, and the rest of the park is free — the Smokies have never charged admission. Since March 2023, though, any vehicle parked for more than 15 minutes needs a paid Park It Forward parking tag ($5/day, $15/week, $40/year). The tag is per vehicle, not per person, and there's no timed-entry reservation.
Your trip
Best for a single day or two — buy one $5 tag per day you park.
Compare every parking tag
| Tag | Cost for your trip |
|---|---|
| Daily tags (3 × $5) | $15 |
| Weekly tag ($15) | $15 |
| Annual tag ($40) | $40 |
Estimated trip total
| Parking tag | $15 |
| Lodging (3 nights) | $480 |
| Dining (2 people) | $270 |
| Estimated total | $765 |
*Lodging and dining are rough mid-range Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge estimates — actual costs vary widely by season and choices. Verify current parking-tag prices at nps.gov/grsm before your trip.
Smoky Mountains Cost FAQ
Is there an entrance fee for Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
No. Great Smoky Mountains National Park has never charged an entrance fee — the land was transferred to the federal government on the condition that no toll or license fee would ever be imposed on the main road. You can drive Newfound Gap Road, Cades Cove, and the rest of the park for free. Since March 2023, however, any vehicle parked for more than 15 minutes must display a paid Park It Forward parking tag.
How much is the Park It Forward parking tag?
Parking tags cost $5 per day, $15 per week (valid 7 days), or $40 per year. They are sold per vehicle — not per person — and one tag covers your whole group in that vehicle. Buy them online at recreation.gov, at automated kiosks at major visitor centers, or at local partner stores. Vehicles stopped for 15 minutes or less (a quick photo or restroom stop) don't need a tag.
Does the America the Beautiful pass cover parking in the Smokies?
No. Because the Smokies charge no entrance fee, the $80 America the Beautiful interagency pass does not cover or replace the Park It Forward parking tag — you still need to buy a tag to park. The pass only helps if you're also visiting parks that do charge entrance fees on the same trip.
Which Park It Forward tag should I buy?
Match the tag to your trip: a single day in the park is cheapest with the $5 daily tag, a long weekend or week-long stay is best covered by the $15 weekly tag, and if you'll visit the park three or more separate weeks in a year, the $40 annual tag pays for itself. The calculator above picks the cheapest option for your trip automatically.