The East Coast National Parks You Must See
As a New Englander, I am extremely proud of my home region. The East Coast National Parks are some of the most spectacular national parks in the country. I am a bit biased to east coast parks because of my proximity to them, but they are truly something special.
East coast parks sprawl through the eastern woodlands of America. If you have never been to this side of the country, you will be blown away at the number of trees here! Ferns, oaks, and spruces cover the landscape.
Visiting the East Coast National Parks are a great place to relax, unwind, and get in touch with nature. From the Eastern Woodlands, to the Appalachians, down to the subtropics, there is something for everybody to enjoy.
If you’re looking for an adventure on your next vacation or need a break from city life, here’s why these seven east coast national parks should top your list.
Acadia National Park
Maine
Acadia National Park is located on Mount Desert Island in Maine, and it’s home to a variety of wildlife, including moose, bald eagles and black bears. There are over 100 miles of hiking trails within Acadia National Park.
Acadia was the first East Coast National Park that was established in the United States in 1919. A must see east coast park for sure.
There’s also a network of carriage roads within the park, which are open to bicycles, strollers and horseback riders. If you’re looking for something more relaxing than hiking, check out the quaint coastal town of Bar Harbor. There are plenty of shops and restaurants in the town, as well as plenty of opportunities for whale watching or sailing around Mount Desert Island.
Shenandoah National Park
Virginia
Shenandoah National Park is located in Virginia that extends along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Just 75 miles from Washington DC it is a beautiful reprieve from the bustling city.
It was established on December 26, 1935 by President Franklin D Roosevelt.. The park covers an area of 81,500 acres that includes sections of the Appalachian Trail.
Shenandoah, one of the East Coast National Parks, has many scenic views such as mountains, valleys, waterfalls, and rivers that attract millions of visitors each year.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
North Carolina and Tennessee
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most visited in the country, and for good reason. The park contains diverse ecosystems, like the spruce-fir forest and the Great Smoky Mountains. The Great Smoky Mountains contain 19,000 different species of plants and animals. It is home to many species of wildlife, including black bears and elk.
The Smokies are also known for a number of historic sites, including the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. The institute is home to a variety of programs that focus on conservation, education and science.
Congaree National Park
South Carolina
Congaree National Park is located in South Carolina, and it’s the largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the United States.
The park features one of the best examples of floodplain forest in the world–an ecosystem that contains some trees that are up to 800 years old. They are some of the tallest trees in the world.
These forests sheltered communities of escaped slaves in the 1800s. They formed communities among Congaree’s woods and swamps. The East Coast National Parks are an important part to understanding American heritage and history.
Everglades National Park
Florida
The Everglades is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. It’s also quite large–it covers more than 1.5 million acres of land in southern Florida.
The Everglades are home to many plants and animals that can’t be found anywhere else in the country. For example: The mangrove ecosystem found here is believed to be the third-largest in all of North America (after Alaska’s Aleutian Islands). This means there are plenty of opportunities for you to see wildlife while visiting this incredible park!
Alligators, manatees, and roseate spoonbills live here. This place is unlike any other park in America!
Biscayne National Park
Florida
Biscayne National Park is located in the Florida Keys. The park was established in 1980 and is home to one of the oldest living coral reefs on Earth. A key member of the East Coast National Parks and a must visit place to snorkel. It’s also a refuge for many endangered species, including sea turtles and manatees.
This East Coast National Park is the perfect place to rent a kayak and paddle through almost jungle-like mangroves.
Dry Tortugas National Park
Florida
Dry Tortugas National Park is a remote island chain located in the Gulf of Mexico, 70 miles from land! The park has a variety of wildlife, including sea turtles, dolphins and manatees. There are also many birds that call this island home. Some examples include brown pelicans, laughing gulls, and sooty terns.
The park is also home to many different types of marine life. These include the loggerhead sea turtle, Kemp’s ridley sea turtle and green sea turtle. The island chain also has a variety of coral reefs that are home to many different species of fish and crustaceans.
Fort Jefferson is at Dry Tortugas National Park. It is a former U.S. military coastal fortress. This structure is the largest brick masonry structure in the Americas, covering 16 acres and made with over 16 million bricks. Fort Jefferson was built between 1846 and 1875 to protect the nation’s gateway to the Gulf of Mexico
Close to the East Coast Parks:
New River Gorge National Park
West Virginia
This park is exactly what it sounds like. There is a whitewater river (named New River) flowing through deep canyons, creating a gorge. The New River is among the oldest rivers on the continent
The park encompasses over 70,000 acres of land along 53 miles of the New River from Bluestone Dam to Hawk’s Nest Lake.
Some favorite things for visitors to do is hike the trails, go white water rafting, or bike down an old rain trail.
Mammoth Cave
Kentucky
This is the world’s largest cave system! Mammoth Cave National Park is home to thousands of years of human history, earning it the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Aside from visiting the cave, visitors to this park can go hiking, kayaking in nearby rivers, and bike riding.
Cuyahoga Valley
Ohio
This park is home to the Cuyahoga River and deep forests. This small National Park is full of trails, waterfalls, and tall trees.
A fun activity to do in Cuyahoga Valley is the scenic railroad! This is a diesel-electric and steam-powered train that goes through Peninsula, Ohio in the Cuyahoga Valley, including through the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park
How many national parks are on the east coast?
There are 7 national parks on the east coast (as in states that touch the Atlantic Ocean). Acadia, Great Smoky Mountains, Shenandoah, Congaree, Everglades, Biscayne, and Dry Tortugas.
What was the first east coast national park?
The first east coast national park was Acadia National Park, established in 1919.
The east coast has a high population of people, but tucked among a densely populated area are pockets of beautiful wilderness. East coast parks are one of a kind.
To the south you will find beautiful undersea coral reefs and swamps with lots of alligators prowling around. As you go up the Appalachian Mountains, which are some of the oldest mountain chains in the world, you come across a more rugged landscape.
I hope that this list has given you a better idea of the East Coast National Parks. If you’re looking for somewhere new to visit, or want to explore someplace close by, these parks are sure to be worth your time.
More Resources:
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