GSMNP Proposes Parking Fee Program
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is proposing a parking fee program for vehicular traffic. The park is currently one of the few national parks that do not charge an entrance fee. But for the last several years the park’s visitation has increased by almost 60%. And the park’s operational budget hasn’t changed. The increase in the number of visitors has resulted in maintenance needs on trails, structures, and roads throughout the park.
Park It Forward
GSMNP Parking Fee Proposal
Park It Forward is the proposed parking fee program. Vehicular traffic would pay $5 a full-day parking tag, a 7-day tag would be $15 and an annual tag would be $40. Using Park It Forward the projected increase in revenue would be around $10-15 million per year. All fees would go to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The money would be used to rehabilitate and preserve the park.
The park’s superintendent announced that visitors would be able to get tags online, in the mail, or at fee machines in the park. All motor vehicles parking in designated parking spots within park boundaries would be required to display the parking tag. Unofficial roadside parking would be eliminated to help protect resources, improve motorist and pedestrian safety and improve traffic flow. Parking tags would not be required for motorists taking a scenic drive through the park or using park roads as a commuter route. Parking fee passes would not be required for pedestrians or cyclists.
Camping Fee Increases
Currently, the park does have a fee for campsites. As part of the proposal, the park recommended increasing backcountry camping fees from $4 per night to $8 per night, with a maximum of $40 per camper. Frontcountry campgrounds such as Cades Cove, Cataloochee, and Elkmont campgrounds would cost $30. Backcountry permits would be $8/night and a thru-hiker permit would be $40 /permit.
The People’s Park
To find out more you can visit The People’s Park and watch the Pay It Forward video where GSMNP Superintendent Cassius Cash discusses the Smokies Parking Tag program. The site explains more about the proposed three-step plan: pay to park, increase front-country camping fees and increase backcountry camping fees. The new program would begin in 2023. The parking fee will be enforced slowly with the park aiming for a 30% compliance rate in the early stages. The compliance rate will increase over the years.
The park officials assure the public
100% of funds collected from the proposed fees will stay in the Smokies and go directly back into preserving the park and ensuring the visitor experience remains first-rate.
A few examples of how funds can be used are:
Improving visitor safety by increasing park ranger presence
Repairing, enhancing and maintaining public park facilities
Restoring recreational habitats for wildlife photography and fishing
