Great Smoky Mountains National Park Parking Tag requirements for your wedding

Beginning March 1, 2023 parking tags are required for all vehicles parked for more than 15 minutes in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This includes wedding and elopement ceremonies held within the park boundaries. Here's what you need to know.

1. New Beginnings Photography includes parking tags in your package price. When you schedule your wedding or elopement package with New Beginnings up to 6 parking tags will be included. We will purchase the tags for you and give them to you and your guests when you arrive unless you'd like to pick them up the day before your ceremony. 6 day tags are provided with package A, B, and C, and 3 tags are provided with the basic package.


2. How are tags to be displayed? Each tag will be valid for a single vehicle and must include a license plate number matching the vehicle in which it is displayed. Parking tags will not be location-specific. A valid parking tag must be displayed on the lower, passenger side windshield of your vehicle when parked in any designated parking spot anywhere within the boundaries of the Smokies.


3. Are the any exemptions from the parking tag requirement? Burials, cemetery visits including Decoration Days and first amendment activities are exempt from the parking tag requirement. Parking tags are NOT required on National Park Fee Free Days. Some school groups, permitted researchers and disabled placard or license plate holders are also exempt.


4. Additional Info- Three tag durations will be available for purchase for all vehicle sizes and types: Daily - $5, Weekly - $15 and Annual - $40. Parking tags will not be replaceable, refundable, transferable, or upgradable. Parking tags will not a guarantee a specific parking spot in a specific location or for a specific time frame. Beginning March 1, 2023 daily and weekly parking tags will be available for purchase at the following locations: Gatlinburg Welcome Center
   • Sugarlands Visitor Center
   • Townsend Visitor Center
   • Cades Cove Visitor Center
   • Cades Cove Orientation Shelter
   • Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont Store
   • Clingmans Dome Visitor Center
   • Oconaluftee Visitor Center
   • Swain County Visitor Center
   and by credit card from automated fee machines available year round, 24 hours a day. Locations of the automated fee machines will be shared when installation is complete. Annual Tags are available for purchase through the Great Smoky Mountains Association and can be shipped to you.


5. What will parking tag fees support? All revenue generated through these user fees will remain in the Smokies to directly support operational costs for managing and improving services for visitors including trail maintenance, custodial services, trash removal, and supporting more staffing to increase the presence of personnel across the park.

Feel free to contact us if you have any other questions about how the new parking tag program might effect your wedding or elopement plans in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, we are here to help.