Supporting Great Smoky Mountains
National Park since 1953

Photo by Michele Sons

The latest from Smokies LIVE

Springtime in poetry

For Laurie McDowell, our 2026 Steve Kemp writer in residence, coming to the Smokies is like coming home. Since graduating from high school in Asheville, North Carolina, McDowell has pursued a career in conservation while also nurturing his proclivity for exploring the world through drawing and poetry. McDowell recently concluded

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Laurie McDowell May 11, 2026
2027 Parking Tag
Get your 2027 Parking tag for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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Letters from the Smokies
Download your copy of Letters from the smokies today.
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2026 Branch Out events
See which events are scheduled for 2026
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Into the Mist
Download your copy of Into the Mist - Tales of Death and Disaster
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Search for Safe Passage
Download the A Search for Safe Passage audiobook here
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Masa Book
Download your copy of George Masa here
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Great Smokies

Welcome Center

Hours of Operation

(subject to change)

Open year round (closed December 25)


January - February

Open Daily 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

March - November

Open Daily 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
December

Open Daily 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

The Great Smokies Welcome Center is located on U.S. 321 in Townsend, TN, 2 miles from the west entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visitors can get information about things to see and do in and around the national park and shop from a wide selection of books, gifts, and other Smokies merchandise. Daily, weekly, and annual parking tags for the national park are also available.

Physical Address

7929 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway Townsend TN 37882

Contact

865.436.7318 Ext 320