National parks play a vital role in our environment. It not only protects plant life but also several animals keep the temperature of the Earth in control. There are several national parks east coast that has are beautiful and worth your visit.
So, if you wish to know what they are and much more, read ahead! Here we have made a list of the national parks present on the east coast and all the details you need to know!
Table of Contents
Role of National Parks East Coast
National parks are being created to prevent and protect natural environments, including trees, animals, reptiles, and all other living beings. The concerned government of each country protects the naturally created forest or land or area and calls them national parks.
Every country has its perspective of creating national parks. In the United States of America, government authority is duly protecting land, wildlife and other living beings in the national parks. Whereas in Europe, most countries created national parks to protect the land. In Africa, National parks are mainly for wildlife.
The coastal region of the United States of America, which faces the Atlantic Ocean, is the east coast region of the country. Georgia, Florida, New York, South Carolina, North Carolina, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Virginia are the following states of the east coast region.
This east coast is also known as the Atlantic coast or Atlantic seaboard or the Eastern seaboard as it faces the Atlantic Ocean. This east coast region holds many national parks, which the USA government created to protect our nature.
Several numbers of natural parks on the east coast contain different types of wildlife and trees. The most important thing about these national parks on the east coast is their land. These national parks contain a variety of soil. This soil helps trees to grow, which helps to maintain the biological cycle.
Best National Parks East Coast
As the east coast of the United States of America has several National Parks. We can only recommend you the best parks around this east coast region which you can visit. Check out the following national parks east coast has:
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Location
It is located in Virginia. You should access Route 19 North and move towards the exit of Glen Jean for the park headquarter. Then it is best if you take an immediate left turn after exiting Route 19 and a right turn from the next intersection. You will find the park headquarter on the right.
Description
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve were established on 10th November 1978 by the 39th U. S President Jimmy Carter. This national park is situated around the New River Gorge, which is considered one of the oldest rivers of this world.
Paddleboats are available for a peaceful ride in the river. However, the most thrilling part of this national park is river rafting. Moreover, people also visit this place for a single for normal recreations. However, it is quite far from the east coast; people who travel through the east coast visit this national park.
New River Gorge national park also holds the Appalachian Mountains. However, the mountain areas are comparatively cooler than other places around, weather conditions of this national park with the Appalachian Mountains are very unpredictable.
Biscayne National Park
Location
Biscayne National Park is located in Florida. You can access the Florida Turnpike after taking Exit 6 of Speedway Boulevard and take a left turn. And you should follow the road to South West 328th Street or North Canal Drive and take a left turn after reaching the road. After continuing for 4 miles at the end of the road, you will find the parking area.
Description
Biscayne National Park holds the world’s third-largest coral reef. Moreover, people have a separate attraction towards the Biscayne National Park for this coral reef underwater. Biscayne National Park is covered by water. Besides, the maximum part of this park, i.e., almost 95% of the park, is underwater.
No ferries are publicly available in this region. So, people have to hire a boat to take a look around in this park. No roads are available in this region. Besides, people also may join a tour for visiting. Paddle boats, canoeing and kayaking, are available in this national park.
Large numbers of mangroves are there in this region. Of course, the natural beauty of Biscayne Bay also attracts travelers from the whole world. The islands of the Florida Keys are also a matter of attraction. Old Shipwreck debris and plenty of sea life can be observed while visiting Biscayne National Park.
Biscayne National Park is one of the most famous and the hardest national parks east coast has present. Although it is covered by seawater, it’s a walking path of about 0.75 miles near the visiting Center.
Acadia National Park
Location
It is located in Maine, the northern part of the east coast. So, you need to take I-95 Augusta, Maine, from Boston. Then you take Route 3 east to Ellsworth and then on to Mount Desert Island to reach there.
Description
The Park area is about 47000 acres. It is located on Mount Desert Island. Acadia National Park has a Park Loop Road, which is nearly about 27 miles. Moreover, driving through this Park Loop Road is one of the greatest attractions of tourists.
Sand Beach is a famous beach nearby to this park. People visiting Acadia National Park always visit Sand Beach. The specialty of this Sand Beach is the ice-cold water waves. Moreover, people take a long walk towards The Thunder hole, which is nearby Sand Beach. The waves struck on the beach with a thundering sound as the cavern below is filled up by the waves.
Biking is one of the greatest attractions in Acadia National Park. Visitors enjoy a bike ride on Park Loop Road or the old-fashioned carriage roads inside the park. Also, Cadillac Mountain is the highest point of this park. People generally spend 2 to 3 days in the park. Nature-loving tourists also take 5 to 7 days for a complete tour.
Shenandoah National Park
Location
Shenandoah National Park is located in Virginia. More specifically, it is the Blue Bridge Mountains of Virginia. Also, this national park is very near to Washington D.C. Shenandoah National Park has four entrances with a single physical address. However, GPS or internet-based mapping systems help people to get through their nearby entrance.
Description
Shenandoah National Park is one of the natures-loving national parks east coast has. The Appalachian Mountains have their trail over Shenandoah National Park. This national park is situated east of the Mississippi River.
In the White oak Canyon, you can spot waterfalls. Along with this, people can dive into swimming holes along the way. Visitors do visit the Blackrock Summit is boulder field which is 1 mile away from the park.
Shenandoah National Park is compacted with wildlife, waterfalls and caves. Moreover, it has the densest population of black bears. Driving on Skyline Drive is one of the greatest attractions here as people can see the scenic beauty of this national park throughout 105 miles of the drive.
Shenandoah Valley is nearby to this national park. Generally, it takes two to three days for a complete visit to this national park. Adding few days extra will make you the award-winning wineries in the Shenandoah Valley.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Location
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is situated at the borderline of the states Tennessee and North Carolina. Gatlinburg and Townsend are the two entrances of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee. However, Cherokee in North Carolina has another entrance to this national park.
Description
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the United States of America. Moreover, biological diversity can be seen in this national park. Ten million people visit this national park per year.
Turkeys and elk are the most seen wildlife in this national park. The southeastern parts of this national park consist of elk in huge numbers. Moreover, black bears are also seen in this national park. Alum Cave, rainbow falls and the tallest waterfall of this Great Smoky Mountains National Park are the most popular hiking places.
The vegetation around this national park releases isoprene gas. This isoprene reacts with water vapor and other gaseous molecules to create a blue smoke or mist covering the mountains of this national park. And this is why this national park is known as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Cades Cove Loop is one of the driving roads of this area, along with the Roaring Forks Motor Nature Trail. Although the driving along these roads is very much highlighted, they always have congestion of cars as they have one-way traffic.
Congaree National Park
Location
It is located in South Carolina. After moving onto Bluff Road, the only road to reach Congaree National Park, you must follow the brown and white directional signs. However, you need to continue for at least 8 miles in Bluff Road and then take a right turn to Old Bluff Road. Now you have to continue on the Old Bluff Road for around 5 miles. Soon you will be able to see the park entrance sign on your right.
Description
Congaree National Park is a notable national park in the east coast as it contains an enormous number of big trees. There is a term called Champion Tree. A single tree is the biggest among its species. You will find these champion trees in this park. The howling of the horned forest owl is a distinctive feature of this national park. Congaree River, the main part of this national park, is responsible for sudden floods in this region.
The moist weather of this region is ideal for the Champion trees to grow more and more. Due to floods, swamplands cover many areas of the Congaree National Park. Moreover, you can explore the national park through these swamplands with the help of a kayak or canoe. However, to get a better view of the park’s natural beauty, you need to travel 15 miles inside the park.
The Oakridge Trail, The Kingsnake Trail and the River Trail are the longer hiking places in this national park. At the same time, Bluff Trail is a comparatively shorter hiking place than this park.
People can visit the whole Congaree National Park for a single day. But 2days is better for the tourists to get to all the hiking places.
Everglades National Park
Location
Everglades National Park is located in Florida. Everglades National has three different entrances which belong to three different cities viz. Monroe County, Collier County and Miami Dade County.
Description
Everglades National Park is among the unique national parks east coast has. Wildlife sightings are very prominent here. Moreover, it is such a unique national park that alligators and crocodiles live together in the same place. Manatees or sea cows are present around this region. Also, flamingo belongs to this territory along with panthers.
Everglades National Park has 1.5 million acres of wetlands. As a result, the maximum part of the national park is underwater. You can hire a boat or kayak for trailing around the whole park. Florida bay is one of the finest places from here to visit. You can see pelicans and other shorebirds in this region.
Scuba Diving is one of the main attractions of this national park. Also, bike rides are available as an option for alternative. You can take a short walk around the park. So, you need at least three days to explore the Everglades national park. But a 5-day tour should be good enough for a tourist to visit this beautiful place.
Dry Tortugas National Park
Location
It is located in Florida. Dry Tortugas National Park is located in the Gulf of Mexico, almost 70 miles west of the region Key West of Florida. And this national park is present in one of the remote areas. Dry Tortugas national park can only be reached by concession ferries, charter boats, seaplanes or private boats.
Description
The word Tortugas is a Spanish word that means Turtles. The nomenclature of this national park came from Turtles as five different kinds of turtles are the inhabitants of this national park. Even this national park is situated throughout seven islands.
An unfinished fortress Fort Jefferson built in the 19th century is one greatest attraction of this national park. Fort Jefferson is one of the largest structures made of brick in the country. People visit the fort to know the history behind this. Being on the largest structure, Fort Jefferson is made of about 16 million bricks.
People have an enjoyable time at the sand beach. You can swim here but at your own risk as there are no lifeguards. In addition, there are a few specific rules and regulations for swimming which you need to follow. You can also enjoy snorkeling and diving, which are the common attractions of this national park.
Garden Key is an uninhabited island of Dry Tortuga National Park. Ans this island is famous for camping. You can take a kayak or hire a boat to reach the island with all camping materials. Then you can spend your time enjoying the camp. But there is no availability of essential things on that island. It would be best to bring all the relevant amenities such as water, medicines, food, light etc. However, this area has no electricity or Wi-Fi.
East Coast National Parks Road Trip
Roadways connect all the above-mentioned national parks. You plan to visit each of the national parks east coast has, by car. It’s not a bad idea. You need to keep a map of the east coast region and mark the national parks. Then it will be easier for you to understand from where to start.
Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maine and Tennessee are the nearby states holding the above–mentioned national parks. Moreover, the roadways are well built and are readily accessible. It would help if you made a plan for these visits. However, you must carry all the necessary arrangements for a road trip.
You can also visit each of the national parks at a time. It will be much easier for you to explore the whole park and get deep into it. But you have to spend at least 2 to 3 days exploring each of the parks well. If you have enough time in your hand, you can pick two of the nearby national parks to visit by a road trip with friends or family.
