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Parking within Great Smoky Mountains National Park is changing in 2023. The NPS recently made a decision to institute car parking changes:
Beginning in March of 2023, roadside parking will be prohibited. Parking at the Alum Cave trailhead lot (and all parking areas) will be first-come-first-served until it is full. The NPS will require you to purchase a parking tag ($5 per day, $15 per week, $40 a year). The tag does NOT guarantee any specific parking space, or any parking place at all. There is no reserved parking at each trailhead. The available parking spots at each trailhead are as follows:
Alum Cave - 69
Rainbow Falls / Bull Head (via Cherokee Orchard) - 48
Trillium Gap (via Roaring Fork) - 17
The Boulevard / AT (via Newfound Gap) - 141
The NPS announcement with more information is at
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm
Help us with a poll - Fill in the questionnaire below...
This is a poll we are conducting for LeConte Lodge guests past, present, and future. We thank you for your feedback. Please note these National Park Service changes are NOT LeConte Lodge driven or policy changes, but those solely of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. LeConte Lodge is required to follow the rules and regulations of the GSMNP. We did solicit the NPS for different changes, but the NPS did not change its plan.
The GSMNP is attempting to create a safer and more attractive park experience for all visitors. Please direct an comments/questions about these changes to the NPS.
You may contact the GSMNP locally via there website at
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit
and click on "contact us" link at the bottom of the webpage. You may also reach them via mail at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 107 Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 or via phone by calling 865-436-1201.
You may contact the NPS nationally via their website at
https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/contactus.htm
and click on the "contact us" link, then complete the information requested. You may also reach them via mail at National Park Service, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240 or via phone by calling 202-208-6843.
Additionally, you may always go to the Department of Interior for comments as well, as they oversee the NPS. Their website address is
https://www.doi.gov
. Their "contact us" link is located at the bottom of the webpage.
1. WHAT NPS PARKING CHANGES HAVE YOU BEEN AWARE OF?
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Indicates required field
Were you aware that the NPS in GSMNP is eliminating roadside parking along most roads and trailheads?
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Yes
No
Were you aware that as of 2023 all NPS roadside and overflow parking in GSMNP will be blocked?
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Yes
No
Were you aware that you would be required to purchase a parking pass if parking in GSMNP at various, based on 1 day, 1 week, and 1 year?
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Yes
No
Were you aware that if you do not have this parking pass you are subject to a possible ticket?
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Yes
No
Were you aware that even with this parking pass you are not guaranteed any parking spot?
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Yes
No
2. HOW DO THESE NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR PARKING AFFECT YOUR VISITS, IF AT ALL?
Do any of these changes influence your decision to visit GSMNP?
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Yes
No
Knowing these new conditions, would you still visit the park in the future?
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Yes
No
3A. HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ARRIVE AT THE TRAILHEAD? Check all that apply.
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Planned to park your private car at Alum Cave parking lot.
Planned to park your private car at a different trailhead/parking lot. (See question 3B)
Planned to arrive in one vehicle.
Planned to arrive in more than one vehicle.
Planned to arrive in either a shuttle or in some commercial transportation.
3B. If planned to park your private car at a different trailhead/parking lot, please specify which.
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3C. What time did you plan to arrive at the parking lot?
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3D. What time did you plan to depart from the parking lot?
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4. Would you still be a guest at LeConte Lodge if you had to take a shuttle (note this is not an NPS operated shuttle) to and from the trailhead if the shuttle operated from: (check all that apply)
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Gatlinburg, TN
Pigeon Forge, TN
Sevierville, TN
Cherokee, NC
Other (Taxi, Uber, Lyft, etc.)
No, I would not take a shuttle.
5A. If you would consider using a shuttle for travel to and from the Alum Cave trailhead (or any trailhead), would you insist on any conditions? (check all that apply)
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Only if it is within walking distance of my hotel.
Only if it is free.
Only if I can park my car where I have to pick up the shuttle and have overnight parking.
Only if it has a fixed schedule, so I do not have to wait for it.
5B. If considering using a shuttle that included a cost, what dollar amount per person would be acceptable for a round trip service?
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Roadside parking within GSMNP will be prohibited in 2023, and parking at the Alum Cave trailhead (and all parking areas) will be first-come-first-served. A prepaid parking pass is required, but the pass does not guarantee a spot. With these changes, would you:
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Not come to LeConte Lodge?
Reserve at LeConte Lodge only if there's a shuttle service available?
Reserve at LeConte Lodge but leave GSMNP if I can't get a parking space at the trailhead?
Reserve at LeConte Lodge and take my chances getting a parking space at the trailhead when I arrive?
Reserve at LeConte Lodge, purchase a parking pass, and take my chances to find a parking place at the trailhead?
Reserve at LeConte Lodge, purchase a parking pass, and drive in really early to have a better chance of parking at the trailhead?
Other?
7. Would the changes of roadside parking and shuttle service deter you from booking at LeConte Lodge in the future?
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Yes
No
8. Would these new parking pass regulations prevent you from booking at LeConte Lodge?
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Yes
No
9. Would these new parking pass regulations prevent you from visiting GSMNP in general?
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Yes
No
Submit
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