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Whether you’re a National Park junkie, committed to ticking off all 63 designated US National Parks from your bucket list, or a happy dabbler content to pose in front of the entrance sign, you’ll want to check out this list of the best national parks located along the east coast of the USA.
From Maine to Florida, you’ll find glorious National Parks with all the goodies you expect: scenic overlooks, wooded hiking trails, mountain summits, spring wildflowers and fall foliage. Here are the best national parks on the East Coast plus things to do nearby to help you plan your getaway.
Many are easy add-ons to city road trips since they’re located within striking distance of New York City, Washington DC and Miami. Others, like Florida’s Dry Tortugas, require a bit more planning. Here are highlights of what to see at the eight national parks located along the Atlantic coast, plus things to do while you’re in the neighborhood.
1. Acadia National Park, Maine
Begin collecting your east coast national parks by heading to Bar Harbor in Maine. It’s about an eight-hour road trip from New York City or five hours from Boston by car. Break up your drive with a stop in coastal Portland to check out one of the city’s great restaurants. Or pick up some outdoor gear in Freeport, at the home of L.L. Bean.
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Acadia is one of the top 10 most visited national parks in America, so plan your trip accordingly. If you can go before school lets out for the summer, you’ll find lighter crowds. Alternatively, start your park days early.
Acadia has more than 150 miles of hiking trails, many offering dramatic views of the Atlantic Ocean. If you’re up to the challenge, hike to the summit of Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the east coast. Want the views without the work? Reserve a vehicle pass and drive to the top. You’ll get the views without the sweat.
Advance reservations are required to secure a spot at one of Acadia’s four campgrounds. Other lodging options, including several family-owned motels, are located along Bar Harbor’s busy Route 3.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Parking is a challenge in downtown Bar Habor, Maine. Use the free Island Explorer to get to and from the park’s visitor center and the shops and restaurants.
Things to Do Near Acadia National Park
- Check out the buzzy restaurant scene in Portland, Maine
- Go outlet shopping and pose with the giant duck boot outside the original L.L. Bean store
- See how US presidents summer – check out the Bush family compound in Kennebunkport
2. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Want a leisurely national park adventure? Then Shenandoah National Park is the right fit for you. Add it to a Washington DC road trip. It’s only 75 miles west of the US capital but feels a world away, with about 200,000 acres of Blue Ridge Mountain beauty to discover.
Hikers can add an impressive notch to their trail belt. Shenandoah National Park includes a 101-mile segment of the world-famous Appalachian Trail. Want something less ambitious but rewarding? Shenandoah has 14 hikes that feature waterfalls.
The easiest and most popular way to enjoy the beauty of Shenandoah is to hop in your car and drive the 105-mile-long Skyline Drive. It’s the only public road in the park, running north to south. The one-way journey will take you approximately three hours, depending on traffic and how many stops you make to take in the Blue Ridge Mountain views.
Things to Do Near Shenandoah National Park
- See Washington DC’s famous cherry blossom trees in spring bloom
- Get some quality family time at Virginia’s Massanutten resort
- Travel back in time at Colonial Williamsburg
3. New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia
Buckle up, baby. A visit to America’s 63rd national park will get your adrenaline pumping. New River Gorge joined the national park system in 2020.
And the highlight of any visit is a whitewater rafting trip. Experienced guides are available to take you on a journey that, depending on the water levels, includes Class I, II and III rapids. Cindy Richards advises: “This is not a float trip,” and recommends it for teens and fit adults.
Want something tamer? Kayaking is also available. And there are numerous hiking trails for all ages and abilities. One of the more challenging, the Kaymoor Miner’s Trail, includes a descent into a closed coal mine.
Think you’re done with the heart-stopping moments? Think again. Strap on a safety harness and walk across the third tallest single-span bridge in the Western Hemisphere. You’ll be over 800 feet above those rapids you just rafted. The hourlong walk rewards you with views for miles and the pictures to prove you did it to the folks back home.
Things to Do Near New River Gorge National Park
- Visit Harpers Ferry, West Virginia’s most famous Civil War site
- Get pampered at the luxurious Greenbrier resort
- Tour a coal mine in Raleigh County
4. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina/Tennessee
Want a park so big it straddles two states? Then head to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With more than half a million acres to explore, you’ll want to start your adventure in one of the four visitor centers: Cades Cove, Oconaluftee, Sugarlands and Clingmans Dome.
Taking the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop drive is one of the most popular things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains. Be prepared for a leisurely two- to four-hour scenic drive, depending on the traffic. What you’ll get are Insta-worthy photo ops while remaining on the lookout for the resident critters including white-tail deer, black bears and coyotes. On Wednesdays, the Loop road is closed to vehicular traffic to permit those hiking and biking to enjoy the views.
Another highlight of the park is Clingmans Dome which is half in North Carolina and half in Tennessee. If you’re visiting on a clear day and are willing to tackle the steep half-mile hike to the summit, you may be rewarded with sweeping 100-mile views of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Want to learn more about Appalachian culture? Visit the Mountain Farm Museum and Mingus Mill near the Oconaluftee visitor center. The historic log buildings provide a sense of what life was like for people living in the area a hundred years ago.
Things to Do Near Smoky Mountains National Park:
- Enjoy live bluegrass in Gatlinburg
- Get your thrills in Pigeon Forge at Dollywood
- Check out Chattanooga…there’s a choo choo and much more
5. Congaree National Park, South Carolina
A designated UNESCO Biosphere region, Congaree National Park is the Southeast United States’ largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest. Immerse yourself in the wonders of this unique environment by strolling the very easy, 1.6 mile Boardwalk Loop Trail. Access the trail at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. It’s both wheelchair- and stroller-friendly with plenty of benches for pit stops.
Prefer to get your kicks on the water? The park is home to the Congaree River Blue Trail, a 50-mile designated paddling route. Lose yourself in the serenity of the ancient wetlands. Bring your binoculars for bird watching or your rod for fishing (Note: South Carolina fishing licenses are required.)
Want to experience something truly magical? Time your visit to coincide with the mating season for the park’s fireflies who synchronize their flashing lights in a joyous natural firework display. You must purchase one of the limited vehicle passes to enter the park during one of the six nights in late May.
Things to Do Near Congaree National Park:
- Enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of Charleston
- Play a round (or two) of golf in Myrtle Beach
- Explore Columbia SC, the state capital
6. Everglades National Park, Florida
Want to get up close, but not too close, with an alligator? Then Everglades National Park in south Florida is the place to go.
The park is massive, the third largest in the lower 48 states. It covers more than 1.5 million acres and receives about a million visitors annually. The top things to do include biking and bird watching.
If you’d really like to get into the muck, try slough slogging. These off-trail, ranger-led walking tours are for those willing to get their feet wet. Other tours, including canoe trips, are available through the Everglades Institute.
What about those alligators? You can take an airboat ride from Miami from any one of a number of tour operators. A cheaper and quieter option is the park’s Shark Valley Tram Tour, a 15-mile loop trail through the park’s “River of Grass.” Reservations are highly recommended.
Things to Do Near Everglades National Park:
- Drive Alligator Alley from Naples to Ft. Lauderdale
- Spend the day at Busch Gardens, a low-key Disney alternative
- Stretch out on Florida’s Gulf Coast beaches
7. Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
Located 70 miles from Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is a snorkeler’s paradise. Getting there takes some planning. You’ll need to book roundtrip transport on the Yankee Freedom Ferry or charter a seaplane.
The Tortugas were originally discovered by Ponce de Leon in 1513 before he found St. Augustine’s Fountain of Youth. Fort Jefferson was constructed in the 1800s as a vital military installation to defend American waters and the mainland. If you arrive by ferry, a guided tour of the fort is included with your ticket price. Others can take the NPS self-guided tour.
Snorkelers will find abundant marine life in the coral reefs. Just remember to look, but don’t touch, as the reef is a fragile ecosystem.
Be prepared for Florida’s sunshine and heat. There are very limited goods and services available in the park. Bring your own sunscreen, sun hats and water.
Things to Do Near Dry Tortugas National Park:
- Visit Hemingway’s Key West Home
- Book a stay at Hawk’s Cay, a family-friendly Florida Keys’ resort
- Meet the turtles at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon
8. Biscayne National Park, Florida
When you need a break from the go, go, go pace of Miami, tune out in Biscayne National Park. Start your journey in the Dante Fascell Visitor Center. Designed as an art gallery, the center hosts contemporary art exhibits inspired by the park and South Florida.
Snorkelers will delight in the chance to explore the park’s coral reefs and shipwreck sites along the Maritime Heritage Trail. A variety of guided tours are available through the Biscayne National Park Institute. These eco-adventures include kayaking through mangroves and visiting the park’s most popular feature, the ornate lighthouse on Boca Chita Key.
Want to see manatees? The sea cows seek out warm water during the cold winter months. Ask National Park Service rangers about sightings when you visit.
Things to Do Near Biscayne National Park:
- Soak up the scene in South Beach
- Pose in front of the Wynwood Wall murals
- Start your day with a traditional Cuban breakfast in Little Havana
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