Since its inception in 1953, Smokies Life has provided more than $46 million in financial aid to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. These contributions include cash donations, which are used for a host of interpretive and scientific projects, in-kind services like labor expenses, and publications and digital media costs.
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.
