Membership Benefits

Park Keeper Events

Join the fun at exclusive members-only events in the Smokies.

Engaging Content

Enjoy a free subscription to Smokies Life Journal, published biannually by Smokies Life.

Exclusive Online and In-Store Discounts

Receive 15% off on all purchases made online at staging.smokieslife.org or in visitor center stores at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Your Park Keeper membership also gives you a discount at 500+ additional participating non-profit public lands partner stores. Learn More

Local Business Discounts

Enjoy additional discounts at participating regional businesses by showing your Smokies Life membership card.

Members at international addresses will get a digital copy of Smokies Life Journal only. 

As many of your membership benefits are made available through the U.S. mail and email, please contact us with address updates and other questions      by phone at 865.436.7318 and select x257 or x349, or by email at membership@staging.smokieslife.org.

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