Entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Free
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Skip the entrance fee for this national park - it's free to enter! Campsites, lodging, informational booklets, maps, and some tours still have a fee, so don't totally leave your wallet at home.
Why is this national park free? Back in the 1930's the park was being assembled from privately-owned land and still-active communities. These communities and the states of Tennessee and North Carolina paid for Newfound Gap Road which joins two main entrances of the park. When the area was handed over to the Federal government, there was a stipulation that "no toll or license fee shall ever be imposed…" to travel the road.
Get In for Free at All National Parks
Active military receive free annual parks passes for themselves and their dependents when they show a military ID. Travelers under 16 years of age, as well as those visiting parks for educational or scientific purposes, also receive an entrance waiver. And if you have a permanent disability and show documentation, you get in for free and get a discount on camping. Is there a fourth grader in your family? Visit everykidoutdoors.gov for your free pass.
Don’t fit those categories? Hit your favorite park on a free admission day. There are usually 6-10 free days every year. Check our event calendar for dates.
West entrance sign for Great Smoky Mountains National
Park on of Lakeview Drive near Fontana Dam.
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While visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it's almost a sure thing that you'll encounter wildlife. There are more than 1,600 black bears inside the park that spans 816 square miles, which is approximately two bears for every square mile. That's really dense. For comparison, in Yellowstone National Park, there are an estimated 150 grizzlies that range fully or mostly in the park that spans 3,468 square miles. In the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem that spans more than 34,000 square miles, there are an estimated 674-839 grizzlies, according to 2014 National Park Service numbers.
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What to Pack for a Great Smoky Mountains Park Vacation
You are headed to Great Smoky National Park, the nation’s most visited park. Bordering North Carolina and Tennessee, you will find yourself surrounded by rolling hills, forests, wildlife and cultural relics. How do you pack for your Great Smoky adventure? Here are the top 13 items to bring to the park.
1. Sturdy Hiking Boots to Help You Really Experience the Smoky Mountains
A good pair of hiking boots is a must. To make the most out of your trip, pack a pair of supportive, waterproof and breathable hiking boots. These will allow you to navigate both wet trails beside waterfalls and dry trails up mountainsides with ease and enable you to explore farther than you maybe would have.
To get you started on your research, one of our staff members raves about his Sportiva Synthesis Mid GTX. Our friends at Backpacker magazine really liked the Vasque Skywalks GTS.
If you're not going more than a couple of miles down the trail, you can pack light with a hiking shoe that can go from the trail to the restaurant. We love the Lowa Locarno Low hiking shoes. www.rei.com.
2. A Rain Jacket For a Wet Place
The lowlands of Great Smoky get an average of 55 inches of rain per year, but that number rises to 85 inches per year at Clingmans Dome. Bring your rain jacket to avoid getting caught in the rain. Temperatures, especially if you are higher up in the park, can drop dramatically when it rains, turning a warm day into one that feels freezing. When it rains and temperatures plummet, you want a jacket that can keep you warm and dry. Be sure to take cover from thunderstorms and lightening.
Tip: Pick a jacket that claims to be waterproof or watertight, not water resistant. Check out the many brands of rain jackets at www.rei.com.
3. Food to Fuel Adventures in the Park
There are no restaurants in Great Smoky Mountains Park so you'll need to bring a sack lunch for a day trip or food for meals while camping. The Cades Cove Campground Store does have a limited variety of groceries. The store also has grab-and-go breakfast items, hot and cold sandwiches, pizza and soft-serve ice cream. Elkmont Campground Concession has snack items, ice cream and beverages. Smokemont Riding Stables has vending of snacks and beverages.
4. EpiPen If You have a Bee Allergy
In the fall, the park’s yellow jacket wasps are especially aggressive. If you have an allergy to wasps, pack an EpiPen (epinephrine injection) or other medications and have them with you at all times. Park officials urge you to remove your rings immediately if you are stung on your hand.
5. Daypack for Extraordinary Hikes in Hardwood Forests and Over Log Bridges
Make going for a hike on Kephart’s Trail or Porters Creek much more comfortable with a daypack. Place all your (and your family’s essentials) like extra layers, extra snacks, a flashlight, binoculars, pocket knife, whistle and simple first-aid kit in it.
Daypacks don't need to be the big expensive kind that backpackers use. If you're just going out for the day, a smaller 18-30L size will work just fine and many can also double as a personal item on an airplane. Here are some good options for daypacks made specifically for travel on www.rei.com.
6. A Couple of Water Bottles or a Hydration System
Combat the effects of the park’s summer heat by drinking water. Drinking water ensures you won’t get dehydrated, which can lead to headaches and more serious conditions like heat cramps and heat stroke. Plan to drink .5 -1 liter per hour of hiking.
Read more: Message in a Bottle
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7. Clothing Layers for Great Smoky Mountain Temperature Extremes
In the summer months, expect afternoon temperatures to climb into the 90s before cooling down in in the evening in the 60s and 70s. Know that the higher you go, the cooler the temperatures with the 6,593-foot Mount Le Conte rarely getting over 80F during the day.
Be sure to pack light layers for daytime and others that will keep you warm in the evenings for when the sun sets and cooler air moves in. You will be surprised at how quickly temperatures drop as the sun sets.
8. A Star Chart or Star App to See the Southern Skies
You’ll find some dark skies in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. With a star chart, you’ll be able to identify some of the formations you may never have seen before, especially if you are coming from an urban environment. Or use technology and download the SkyView® Free app for iPhone or Android, which enables you to identify stars and so on by pointing your phone at them. You may be able to see up to 15,000 stars in the park’s sky in comparison to 500 in an urban sky. It’s far out!
9. A Tablecloth for One of the Park’s 13 Picnic Sites
It’s the little things that make a big difference. When you stop at one of the park’s 13 picnic sites to eat lunch, pull out your tablecloth to go from downhome to gourmet in a matter of seconds. You’ll also avoid getting hard-to-remove splinters when you lean against the table.
10. Bug Spray to Combat Bugs
Spend more time enjoying the scenery instead of swatting bugs. If you don’t want to use strong chemicals, there are plenty of bug sprays available these days that are derived from natural ingredients and are safer for use by children.
Our pick is the family-friendly Sawyer 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent. Consumer Reports has ranked this formula as the best protection against mosquitoes. Sawyer’s insect repellent is also very effective for ticks and biting flies, and it won't damage gear or equipment. Learn more at Sawyer.com/picaridin
11. Headlamp to Read or See at Night
Read at night in your tent comfortably with your headlamp or use this great lighting device to safely walk to and from evening ranger talks.
Taking photos of the night skies? A headlamp with a red light option will help you change your camera settings in the dark with minimal annoyance to your travel mates.
12. A Sun Hat, Sunglasses and Sunscreen to Protect Yourself from the Sun
You only need to get one sunburn at altitude before you realize how strong the sun really is, especially since Great Smoky Mountain National Park’s elevations ranges from 875 to 6,643 feet. Bring a wide-brimmed hat, which is preferable over a baseball cap, to cover your entire face.
Then, apply sunscreen over all exposed skin, including the back of your neck. Sunglasses will protect your eyes from being burned and polarized lens will help you see views more clearly. Don’t forget you are a lot closer to the sun than at sea level.
13. Plastic bags to Leave No Trace
Plastic bags come in handy to keep things dry in the event you get rained on, as well to pack out used toilet paper if nature calls while you are hiking. It’s a big no-no to try to bury toilet paper in the back country. It has to be packed out.
Plastic bags can also me used to safely handle salamanders. The animals breathe through their skin so it is harmful to touch them directly with your hands. Temporarily and gently scoop one up with a clean plastic bag to see them up close. Use a fresh bag for each animal.
Read more: Leave No Trace
Mountain View Rental Cabins
Sevierville~Pigeon Forge~Gatlinburg
~No property management, family owned and managed
cabins in the Great Smokies.
~Licensed with state of TN and county of Sevier.
~No booking fee if booked on this website.
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Mountain View Rental Cabins consists of three luxury cabins located on the mountain ridges in the Great Smoky Mountains in east Tennessee. Living in Texas
on a ranch with longhorn cattle and quarter horses we needed somewhere to go to regain our peace and strength back and run from the Texas heat.​
Our cabins have been totally updated and always kept in tiptop shape by the dedicated staff that make up the 5 star reviews we continue to achieve. And then, of course, the wonderful guests who return to stay again and again and who remain friends we cherish.