For those of us fortunate enough to live and work in the shadow of these ancient mountains, the park’s remarkable visitation numbers in 2024 come as no surprise.
We understand how the mountains, streams, abundant wildlife and rich cultural heritage makes visitors keep coming back year after year!
2024: Another Record Year
According to the latest data from the National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics Dashboard, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park welcomed 12,191,834 visitors in 2024.
To put this in perspective, the second most visited national park typically receives around 4-6 million annual visitors – meaning the Smokies attract nearly three times more visitors than its nearest competitor!
This isn’t new – the Smokies have consistently been the most visited national park for decades, with annual visitation exceeding 10 million since 2014.
What Makes the Smokies So Special?
As locas, we’ve developed a deep appreciation for what makes the Great Smoky Mountains so irresistible to millions of visitors:
Location, Location, Location
Unlike many national parks located in remote areas, the GSMNP is within a day’s drive of about one-third of the U.S. population.
With major gateway communities like Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville it’s easy for visitors to experience the park’s natural beauty.
Additionally, the park doesn’t charge an entrance fee – making it one of the few free national parks in the country and accessible to everyone.
Year Round Destination
Many national parks are seasonal destinations, but the Smokies truly shines year round!
- Spring brings wildflowers, with more 1,500 flowering plant species
- Summer offers an escape with cooler mountain temperatures
- Fall transforms the mountains into a tapestry of red, orange, and gold foliage
- Winter reveals a beautiful landscape with snow-capped mountains and ice-fringed waterfalls
Rich Biodiversity
The GSMNP is home to an incredible variety of plant and animal life.
The park contains:
- Over 1,600 species of flowering plants, including 100 native tree species
- Over 19,000 documented species (and scientists believe this represents only a fraction of what lives in the park)
- One of the densest black bear populations in the country
- More salamander species than anywhere else in the world
Cultural Heritage
Beyond natural beauty, the park preserves a rich cultural heritage.
With over 90 historic structures maintained throughout the park, visitors can experience life as it was in Appalachia before the park’s establishment.
Impact on Our Local Communities
The park’s popularity isn’t just a point of pride – it’s a huge economic driver for our region.
This consistent flow of visitors makes the Smoky Mountains area one of the most promising markets for short-term rental properties in the country.
The year-round appeal means vacation rental owners can enjoy steady bookings across all seasons, rather than the boom-and-bust cycle seen in many other tourist destinations.
Managing Tremendous Visitor Volume
With over 12.1 million visitors in 2024, park officials continue to implement strategies to protect this natural treasure while enhancing the visitor experience.
One such initiative is the “Park it Forward” program that began on March 1, 2023.
According to the National Park Service’s official website, this program requires visitors to purchase and display a valid parking tag for any vehicle parking in the park for more than 15 minutes.
The program includes $5 daily tags, $15 weekly tags, or $40 annual tags.
As stated by the National Park Service, 100% of the revenue generated from the parking tags remains in the park to directly support operational costs for managing visitor services, including trail maintenance, custodial services, and law enforcement staffing for traffic safety.
This funding approach helps ensure this beloved national treasure can continue to accommodate its massive visitor numbers while protecting its natural resources.
What Does This Mean for Investors?
12.1+ million visitors in 2024 signals extraordinary strength in our local tourism economy.
Whether you’re considering investing in a vacation rental property or looking for your own slice of mountain paradise, America’s most visited national park provides a solid foundation for our local real estate market now
With millions of visitors flocking to the area, demand for quality accommodations remains exceptionally strong.
The Jason White Team has been serving locals, investors and second home seekers in the Smoky Mountains since 1996. If you’re thinking about investing in Smoky Mountain real estate or finding your perfect mountain getaway in 2024, contact us to benefit from our decades of local expertise and the latest market insights.