National Parks in Tennessee
Tennessee has one national park: Great Smoky Mountains National Park. None of them requires an entry reservation.
Fees and rules checked against NPS.gov · Updated October 6, 2026
At a glance
| Park | Entry | Reservation | Best time to go | How long to stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Smoky Mountains | Free entry, $5 parking | Not required | Mid-April to May for wildflowers, and mid-October to early November for fall color. Summer is lush, humid and crowded. | 2 to 3 days. |
Planning guides
- Best Time to Visit Great Smoky Mountains National ParkWhen to visit the Great Smokies: April wildflowers, the May firefly lottery, summer crowds, October color by elevation and winter road closures.
- Great Smoky Mountains Parking Tag Guide (Park It Forward)Great Smoky Mountains has no entrance fee, but parking over 15 minutes needs a tag: $5 a day, $15 a week, $40 a year. Who needs one, where to buy, exemptions.
- Best Hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park11 of the best Smoky Mountains hikes, from Kuwohi and Grotto Falls to Alum Cave and Mount LeConte, with mileage, elevation gain, parking tags and 2026 closures.
- Camping in Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Campgrounds, Reservations and TipsAll 10 Smoky Mountains campgrounds compared: sites, seasons, $30 fees, RV limits and 6-month Recreation.gov booking, plus backcountry permits and LeConte Lodge.
Nearby parks in other states
- Mammoth Cave National ParkKentucky · about 182 miles as the crow flies
- Congaree National ParkSouth Carolina · about 195 miles as the crow flies
- New River Gorge National ParkWest Virginia · about 216 miles as the crow flies
- Shenandoah National ParkVirginia · about 344 miles as the crow flies
- Cuyahoga Valley National ParkOhio · about 404 miles as the crow flies
See the full list of U.S. national parks · Open the park map · Compare park passes