Greater Smokies Event Grounds
The Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Games runs at the Greater Smokies Event Grounds in Townsend, Tennessee, just outside the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Parking on the grounds costs $15 per vehicle, cash only, and camping is not allowed on site, though several campgrounds sit nearby.
Before you go
- Official site
- smokymountaingames.org
- Next festival here
- Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival & Games, May 15 to 16, 2027
Worth knowing before you go
- Parking is cash only, $15 per vehicle, and arriving early gets you a closer spot.
- On-site parking is limited, so expect to walk a bit on a busy day.
- There is no camping on the festival grounds itself.
- The festival moved here in 2022 after years at Maryville College.
Festivals here
Venue basics: $15 cash parking on site · No on-site camping, campgrounds nearby · Courtesy carts for limited mobility.
Is it for you
Choose it if
- You are happy to park and pay cash rather than book camping on site
Think twice if
- You were hoping to camp right on the festival grounds
Getting there and parking
Festival-specific · Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival & GamesParking at the Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Games costs $15 per vehicle, cash only, with the money supporting the Townsend Area Volunteer Fire Department. On-site parking is limited, so arriving early secures a better spot, and courtesy carts can take guests with limited mobility to and from the Admission Gate.
Accessibility
We don't yet have confirmed information about accessibility at Greater Smokies. The venue's own pages are the place to check: smokymountaingames.org.
Camping
Festival-specific · Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival & GamesNo camping is allowed on the festival grounds, though several campgrounds are close by.
Recently at Greater Smokies
Overview of the Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Highland Games
From the venue · Feb 23, 2026
Quick answers
How much is parking at the Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Games?
It is $15 per vehicle, cash only.
Can I camp on the festival grounds?
No. Camping is not allowed on the grounds, though several campgrounds are close by.
Is there help getting from parking to the gate?
Yes. Courtesy carts can take guests with limited mobility to and from the Admission Gate, though the number of carts is limited.
How long has the festival been running?
Since 1981, when it began as the Gatlinburg Scottish Festival and Games.
Where is the festival held?
At the Townsend Visitor's Center grounds, just outside the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, since 2022.
Is on-site parking guaranteed?
No. On-site parking is limited, so arriving early matters.
A little history
The festival was founded in 1981 as the Gatlinburg Scottish Festival and Games, moved to Maryville College's grounds in 2010, and relocated again in 2022 to the Townsend Visitor's Center, just outside the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.