Are you a local who enjoys spending time in the Smoky Mountain National Park? Be sure to purchase a NPS Parking Tag before your next adventure!
The National Park Service just announced their new “Park It Forward” program. This new program requires a parking tag on every vehicle that wants to park in the Smokies. Three different parking tags will be available for purchase, a daily tag for $5, a weekly tag for $15, and an annual tag for $40. These parking tags will be available for purchase online and onsite in the park. Each tag is valid for a single vehicle and a physical parking tag display is required in every vehicle. Parking tags will not be required for motorists who pass through the area or who park for less than 15 minutes.
All proceeds will go back into the National Park to directly support operational costs for managing and improving services for visitors including trail maintenance, custodial services, trash removal, and increasing the presence of personnel across the park.
One great hiking option for families is the Laurel Falls trail! The roundtrip distance to the waterfall is 2.6 miles and is considered one of the most family friendly trails in the whole park! This is also one of the few paved trails in the whole National Park so make sure not to miss it!
While you’re in the area, be sure to check out the Gatlinburg Wine Trail and relax after your next hiking adventure!