Supporting Great Smoky Mountains
National Park since 1953

Photo by Michele Sons

The latest from Smokies LIVE

A woman in a baseball cap shines a UV light on a tree while two children look on.

Discovering glow life in the Smokies

Glow-in-the-dark isn’t a phenomenon reserved for Fourth of July parties and laser tag games. Smokies species ranging from fireflies to flying squirrels have natural adaptations that allow them to emit light, bringing a whole new world to life when the sun goes down. “There’s magic in the dark,” said Will

Read More »

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