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3 Permits Available

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Permits

Most visited national park with ancient mountains.

Appalachian TrailClingmans DomeCades Cove

Signature Experiences

The most sought-after permits in Great Smoky

High Demand

Mt LeConte Shelter

“A backcountry shelter on the third-highest peak in the Smokies - one night only, no consecutive stays, and you sleep inside it whether you brought a tent or not.”

🥾

Thru-Hikes & Long Trails

Epic multi-day traverses starting from Great Smoky

Thru-Hike

AT Thru-hike

For through-hikers crossing the park....

View all thru-hikes across all regions

All Permits

Select a permit to learn more and set up alerts

ReservationOvernight
High Demand

Mount LeConte Shelter permit

The AT shelter on top of Mount LeConte, 12 spots a night, booked as part of the park's backcountry permit.

Season:Year-round
Permit dates and alerts
ReservationOvernight
Moderate

Smokies Backcountry permit

Required for all overnight camping.

Season:Year-round
Permit dates and alerts
ReservationThru-Hike
Moderate

AT Thru-hiker permit

For through-hikers crossing the park.

Permit dates and requirements

Other National Parks Areas

Explore more wilderness permits in the region

Shenandoah National Park wilderness area

Shenandoah permits

2 permits

Acadia National Park wilderness area

Acadia permits

1 permit

Death Valley National Park wilderness area

Death Valley permits

1 permit

Joshua Tree National Park wilderness area

Joshua Tree permits

1 permit

Great Smoky Permit FAQ

What permits are required for Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Great Smoky Mountains National Park requires permits for various activities including Smokies Backcountry, AT Thru-hike, Mt LeConte Shelter. Each permit has different requirements and booking processes.

How do I get a permit for Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Permits for Great Smoky Mountains National Park are available through Reservation systems. Use PermitSnag to track availability and get notified when cancellations occur.

When should I apply for Great Smoky Mountains National Park permits?

Timing varies by permit type. Lottery permits typically open months in advance, while reservation permits release on a rolling basis. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to never miss an opening.