There are 10 national parks on the east coast worth your time. The Smokies get 12 million folks a year. Congaree gets 215,000. Both made this list.
I grew up on this coast. We’ve filmed in these parks for years. If it’s on this list, we’ve been there and can tell you exactly what to expect.
Here are the 10 best east coast national parks, ranked.
Table of Contents: East Coast National Parks
Table of Contents: East Coast National Parks
How Far Are These Parks From Major Cities?
| Park | Nearest Major City | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Great Smoky Mountains | Knoxville, TN | 45 min |
| Acadia | Portland, ME | 3 hr |
| Shenandoah | Washington, DC | 1.5 hr |
| Everglades | Miami, FL | 1 hr |
| Congaree | Columbia, SC | 30 min |
| Biscayne | Miami, FL | 45 min |
| New River Gorge | Charleston, WV | 1 hr |
| Dry Tortugas | Key West, FL | Ferry 2.5 hr |
| Cuyahoga Valley | Cleveland, OH | 30 min |
| Mammoth Cave | Nashville, TN | 1.5 hr |
At this point in the list, we’re departing the coastal area sufficiently to no longer be “on the coast.” The following national parks are ranked by relative proximity to the east coast and are still well within reach for east coast road trippers.
1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Location: Tennessee& North Carolina
- Entrance Fee: Free (parking pass required: $5/day, $15/week, $40/year)
- Best Time to Visit: Spring (synchronous fireflies), fall (peak foliage)
- Resources: Guide| Things to Do| Map| Guidebook| Where to Stay| Best Hikes| Facts
The nation’s most visited national park, welcoming over 12 million visitors annually, straddles the misty mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee and is a true national treasure.
Spared from destructive development by farsighted locals and President Franklin Roosevelt in 1934, this Appalachian gem is one of the crown jewels of the National Park System. The park covers over 800 square miles and contains some of the oldest mountains on earth.
Summer is the most popular season and can see serious crowds, but thanks to the park’s sprawling layout there are always places to escape the hustle and bustle. Autumn brings kaleidoscopic fall color to the park’s old forests and rolling landscapes. Don’t sleep on spring either, that’s when the synchronous fireflies make their spectacular appearance (lottery permits required).
Check out our full guide on Great Smoky Mountains National Park here!
2. Acadia National Park
- Location: Maine
- Entrance Fee:$35/vehicle (7-day pass)
- Best Time to Visit: Spring (fewer crowds), fall (foliage)
- Resources: Guide| Map| Guidebook| Where to Stay| Hikes| Things to Do| Facts| Precipice Trail
Acadia’s rugged coastal beauty has been attracting vacationers to “Vacationland” for generations. Acadia has the opportunity to be the first to see the sunrise in the United States each day from atop the summit of Cadillac Mountain(which you can drive to, vehicle reservations required).
Summers here along the North Atlantic coast are mild and punctuated by cool ocean breezes and lobster roll shacks with incredible waterfront views. As someone who lived in Maine for a while, let me tell you this park is extremely crowded in the summer.
My recommendation is spring if you want to avoid crowds and have decent weather. The fall is gorgeous, but that secret is out so plan accordingly. Whenever you visit, get off the main roads and gain some elevation, the views atop South Bubble, Champlain Mountain, or any number of high points in the park are incredible and well worth the hike.
Watch our Acadia film here!
3. Shenandoah National Park
- Location: Virginia
- Entrance Fee:$30/vehicle (7-day pass)
- Best Time to Visit: Fall (leaf-peeping), late spring/summer (relief from valley heat)
- Resources: Map| Guidebook| Where to Stay| Things to Do| Best Hikes
The mountain paradise fondly known to Virginians as Shenandoah is situated high in the Blue Ridge Mountains where old stands of trees, craggy cliffs, and plenty of wildlife make their home. The park protects over 200,000 acres and contains more than 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail.
Drive the park’s famous Skyline Drive, 105 miles along the ridge line of the mountains, for unforgettable views. Fall brings beautiful leaf-peeping opportunities, while late spring and summer provide welcome relief from the heat in the valleys below. And if Skyline Drive wasn’t enough, the world-famous Blue Ridge Parkway connects right at the park’s southern boundary.
4. Everglades National Park
- Location: Florida
- Entrance Fee:$30/vehicle (7-day pass)
- Best Time to Visit: December through April (dry season, fewer mosquitoes)
- Resources: Guide| Map| Guidebook| Where to Stay| Things to Do| Facts
Everglades National Park is internationally recognized as one of the most precious ecological sites on the planet. It’s not only a national park, but a UNESCO World Heritage site, the largest tropical wilderness in the United States.
The park is home to numerous endangered species like the American Crocodile and the Florida Panther, providing them with one of their last sanctuaries on earth. Exploring this park is like stepping into another world. Whether you travel by canoe, kayak, boat, or walk the park’s many boardwalks, you’ll be amazed by this South Florida wildlife paradise.
RELATED: ALL of Florida’s National Parks RANKED (+video)
5. Congaree National Park
- Location: South Carolina
- Entrance Fee: Free
- Best Time to Visit: Fall and winter (fewer mosquitoes)
- Resources: Guidebook| Where to Stay| Things to Do| Facts
Visiting Congaree National Park is like stepping foot back in time. Here you’ll discover ancient cypress trees and waterways that once dominated the coastal southern United States but now are found only in a few pockets of protected land. The park protects the largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States.
Congaree is one of the more forgotten parks on the east coast, which is great for those who like to avoid crowds. Kayaking and canoeing are popular, as are strolling the park’s elevated boardwalks. I’d avoid spring and early summer unless you love mosquitoes, this park is famous (or should I say infamous) for them.
6. Biscayne National Park
- Location: Florida
- Entrance Fee: Free
- Best Time to Visit: Mid-December through mid-April (dry season, calm seas)
- Resources: Where to Stay| Things to Do| Facts
Back to Florida for another truly coastal east coast national park. Palm trees, white sand beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and crystal clear blue water, what’s not to like?
While you may have heard the national park slogan “half the park is after dark,” here that should probably be amended to “most of the park is underwater.” Ninety-five percent of Biscayne is water, making it the largest marine park in the National Park System. So bring your beach towel and snorkel and check this one off your travel list.
7. New River Gorge National Park
- Location: West Virginia
- Entrance Fee: Free
- Best Time to Visit: Summer (rafting season), fall (foliage), October (Bridge Day)
- Resources: Map| Guidebook| Where to Stay| Things to Do| Facts
This list of east coast national parks wouldn’t be complete without the newest member of the national park family, New River Gorge became America’s 63rd national park in December 2020. Despite its name, the New River is actually one of the oldest rivers in North America.
Rafting and rock climbing are the most popular activities here, along with hiking. The weather is mild in summer, and fall brings beautiful color to the surrounding hills. Now is a great time to visit while this spectacularly beautiful park is still relatively uncrowded.
8. Dry Tortugas National Park
- Location: Florida
- Entrance Fee:$15/person (includes fort access)
- Best Time to Visit: March through May (calm seas, nesting sea turtles)
- Resources: Where to Stay| Things to Do| Facts
When it comes to east coast national parks, Florida is flush with them. For this one, we travel as far south as you can go in the United States to find this remote, rugged, and jaw-droppingly beautiful national park.
Here you can explore the red brick ruins of Fort Jefferson, a pre-Civil War coastal fortress comprised of more than 16 million bricks. Getting here isn’t a cakewalk, it involves a ferry ride from Key West (about $200 round-trip) and fairly spartan conditions within the park. But if you can reach it, the park offers exceptional snorkeling, sea kayaking, wildlife viewing, and a completely one-of-a-kind national park experience.
9. Cuyahoga Valley National Park
- Location: Ohio
- Entrance Fee: Free
- Best Time to Visit: Fall (foliage along the Cuyahoga River), spring (waterfalls at peak flow)
- Resources: Guidebook| Where to Stay| Things to Do| Facts
Cuyahoga Valley is a beautiful slice of what the American frontier used to look like, back when Ohio was the frontier. Large boulders, waterfalls (including the stunning 65-foot Brandywine Falls), old hardwood trees, and plenty of natural beauty make this park an oasis near the busy city of Cleveland.
Don’t miss the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, which runs through the park and offers a unique way to experience the landscape. Cuyahoga is a great place to spend a day and soak in the natural beauty of Ohio.
10. Mammoth Cave National Park
- Location: Kentucky
- Entrance Fee: Free (cave tour tickets: $6-$60 depending on tour)
- Best Time to Visit: Year-round (cave temperature is constant at 54°F)
- Resources: Map| Where to Stay| Things to Do| Facts
The longest known cave system in the world, with over 420 miles of surveyed passages and counting, is Kentucky’s only national park and it is a true gem.
While the surface scenery is modest compared to parks out west, the underground experience is genuinely remarkable. Multiple cave tours are available ranging from easy walks to adventurous crawls, and advance reservations through Recreation.gov are strongly recommended, popular tours sell out weeks ahead. Above ground, the park also offers over 80 miles of hiking trails and excellent canoeing on the Green River.
Related: 5 East Coast National Park Road Trips
Summary of the Top 10 East Coast National Parks
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee & North Carolina
- Acadia National Park, Maine
- Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
- Everglades National Park, Florida
- Congaree National Park, South Carolina
- Biscayne National Park, Florida
- New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia
- Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
- Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Multi-Park Trip Combos
If you have a few extra days, these park combinations work especially well together:
- Weekend combo: Shenandoah + New River Gorge, These two parks are about 4 hours apart via I-64 and make for a perfect long weekend. Start with Skyline Drive, then head south for world-class rafting and gorge views.
- Florida triple: Everglades + Biscayne + Dry Tortugas, All three are within 3 hours of Miami (Dry Tortugas requires a ferry from Key West). You can knock out three national parks in under a week and still have time for the beach.
- Southern Appalachia: Great Smoky Mountains + Congaree, About 4.5 hours apart. The Smokies deliver the big mountain scenery, and Congaree gives you ancient cypress forests that feel like a different planet. Underrated pairing.
Do You Have a Favorite East Coast National Park?
Planning an east coast parks road trip? Tell us your route in the comments and we’ll give you our honest take on the itinerary.
Don’t forget to check out our Acadia National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park guides if we’ve convinced you to plan a trip!
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I mean….there’s only 11. And the definition here of “East coast” is pushing it to boot. Lol