The Most Popular National Park Will No Longer Be Free

[{"selector":"#anim-d4f883c8-16be-4af0-8127-9b5187925bfb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-136962a7-ec10-4b95-8421-27b835d0f8e4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -182.93075%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

[{"selector":"#anim-1816f516-531b-4cf7-8ae6-e8c964604c16","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-71bcccff-07d4-46bf-ac5e-5c198110c38d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-181.96717%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":250,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Hundreds of millions of visitors are visiting National Park Service (NPS) units all across the country. Many national parks are experiencing record-breaking numbers of guests year after year. Learn more

However, visitors to the most popular national park will soon need to pay if they plan to spend much time in the park.

[{"selector":"#anim-b5e8cbac-fbbd-40d8-bea5-77edd417d569","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4e7c1592-941a-44c2-bd12-4f938833ec97","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -215.49858%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

Today, we’re looking at a new policy that will make it more expensive to visit the most popular national park. Let’s get started!

What Is the Most Popular National Park?

[{"selector":"#anim-b51ae85e-e282-4ad9-af0b-227c0bea5989","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fbcd3db2-0064-4941-8375-5d40a6b7dbce","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Out of the 63 National Park Service units designated as national parks, Great Smoky Mountains National Park takes the crown for being the most popular. Learn more

What Is “Park It Forward?”

[{"selector":"#anim-bd793594-d875-4e20-8ff5-8579b62b2976","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-35f58fd8-8916-423b-a285-6f06d2d2650b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] A program that will require guests to the park to purchase a parking tag for their vehicle if they want to park in any designated parking spot in the park. Learn more

How Much Does It Cost to Visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

[{"selector":"#anim-4d2fa151-d8a6-42b7-bfa3-14beef1c8d50","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fc2912d2-2683-4cdf-9cd7-2e4c52f6d4be","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Visitors can still visit or pass through the park for free. Learn more

[{"selector":"#anim-9e19b84c-3066-4755-9163-e0502816392b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] But must purchase a parking tag if they plan to park their vehicle in any designated parking spot for more than 15 minutes. Learn more

Why Is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Starting to Charge Fees?

[{"selector":"#anim-dad32e17-ab62-4bd8-bffb-5b8f59960a3c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-da029b20-5fc1-432f-ba52-89e739962c02","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The money will help preserve the park and help ensure that all visitors have a first-rate experience. Learn more