Smokies Life: Cooperating Association

Smokies Life provided over $3 million to build the new Oconaluftee Visitor Center.

 

Since 1953, the park's cooperating association, Smokies Life, has been supporting the educational, scientific, and historical efforts of the National Park Service through cash donations and in-kind services. In 2011 alone, Smokies Life provided over $4.7 million worth of assistance to the park, including over $3 million to build the new Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Projects Smokies Life helped to fund include the elk reintroduction, seasonal park rangers, oral history projects, bear research, and backcountry services.

Become a Park Keeper

Smokies Life Park Keepers receive a number of benefits which help them keep informed about special events in the park and issues affecting the Smoky Mountains. These benefits include:

• Subscriptions to Smokies Life Journal and the award-winning quarterly park newspaper, Smokies Guide.
• A discount of 15% on books, music, gifts, and other products sold at visitor centers in the national park.
• Discounts at other national park bookstores across the country.
• Special discounts at attractions, restaurants, and hotels in surrounding communities, and much more.

Pricing starts at just $40 per year. Sign up today!

 

Online Bookstore

Smokies Life is a nonprofit organization that operates several bookstores in the park and in surrounding communities. They carry a wide array of items to make your trip to the park more enjoyable and memorable. Visit their online store.

Profits generated by purchases are donated to educational, scientific, and historical projects in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. All purchases benefit the park!