Park announces 2023 fee program changes

Park announces 2023 fee program changes
Great Smoky Mountains National Park leadership announced the decision to adopt the Park it Forward parking tag program and to increase camping fees beginning next year. Parking tags will be required to be displayed on any motor vehicle parked within the park boundary beginning March 1, 2023. Approved parking rates are $5 for a daily parking tag, $15 for a parking tag for up to seven days, and $40 for an annual parking tag. All revenue will stay in the park to provide sustainable, year-round support focusing on improving the visitor experience, protecting resources, and maintaining trails, roads, historic structures, and facilities.
Use of all park roads will remain toll free. Parking tags will not be required for motorists who pass through the area or who park vehicles for less than fifteen minutes. The tags will not guarantee a parking spot at a specific location. Parking will continue to be available on a first-come, first-serve basis throughout the park. Unsafe roadside parking will be eliminated at specific areas across the park to enhance the visitor experience by improving motorist and pedestrian safety, increasing traffic flow, and protecting roadside resources.
Year after year, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park. Over the last decade, visitation increased by 57 percent to a record 14.1 million visits in 2021. With rising costs and more visitation, additional revenue is critical to support upkeep of the park. The new fee changes will provide an opportunity for park users to directly contribute towards protecting the park.
The authority to charge these fees is provided in the Federal Lands and Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA). All funds generated through these recreation fees will remain in the Smokies to directly support costs for managing and improving services for visitors such as trail maintenance, custodial services, trash removal, and supporting more law enforcement staffing across the park.
Operational details, including where to purchase Park it Forward tags, will be posted on the park’s website at www.nps.gov/gr....

[@janrandles8683]

Yes!! Good move and hopefully the income will help to maintain the park and protect the wildlife that resides in these beautiful mountains through education of the public. Long overdue!! Enforcement of fines for interfering or feeding wildlife should also be strict. I have yet to see anyone fined for bringing dogs on restricted trails!