10 BEST EAST COAST NATIONAL PARKS Ranked By Experts (+ Map)

Article Overview: East Coast National Parks

To many, the term “East Coast National Park” may never have even crossed your mind, but I’m here to tell you that the U.S. East Coast is teeming with adventure-worthy parks.

We’ve made films on a few of these parks and I’ve visited all of them as an east-coaster myself. If they’re on this list, they’re well worth visiting.

East Coast National Parks

Table of Contents: East Coast National Parks

Table of Contents: East Coast National Parks

East Coast National Parks Maps
Top 5 Best East Coast National Parks
Beyond the East Coast National Parks
- 9. Cuyahoga Valley National Park
- 10. Mammoth Cave National Park
Summary of the Top 10 East Coast National Parks

East Coast National Parks Maps

If you’re a fan of the national parks then what better a souvenir than a premium national parks checklist map? This one is printed on quality stock and comes with some different options including framing, etc. We may be biased but we love it – maybe you or someone you know might as well.

East Coast National Parks Map: You can purchase the East Coast National Parks map featured in this article.

National Parks Checklist Map: This beautiful National Parks Checklist Map can be ordered to your house.

Framed National Parks Map: We’re a sucker for maps, this framed national parks map is the best.

Check out this page for more purchasable national parks maps. If you don’t see the right size map for you above feel free to shoot us an email and we’ll be happy to create a customized one just for you!

Download this printable East Coast National Parks Map

Top 5 Best East Coast National Parks

1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Location: Tennessee & North Carolina
Resources: Guide | Things to Do | Map | Guidebook | Where to Stay | Best Hikes | Facts

The nation’s most visited national park, straddling the misty mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, 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 and a must-visit on any park enthusiast’s list.

Summer is the most popular season in the Smokies and can see some 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 as that’s when the synchronous fireflies make their spectacular appearance.

Check out our full guide on Great Smoky Mountains National Park here!

2. Acadia National Park

Location: Maine
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 a long time. Acadia also boasts 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 – 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. And while that sure paints a nice picture, as someone who lived in Maine for a while let me tell you this park is extremely crowded in the summer.

My recommendation is the Spring if you want to avoid crowds and have decent weather. The fall is of course gorgeous in Acadia, but that secret is out so you’ll need to plan accordingly.

Whenever you visit, be sure to get off the main roads and trails and gain some elevation. The views atop South Bubble or Champlain Mountain or any number of high up spots in the park are incredible and well worth the hike.

Watch our Acadia film here!

shenandoah national park, best east coast national parks — Shenandoah National Park North Entrance – National Parks in East Coast

3. Shenandoah National Park

Location: Virginia
Resources: Map | Guidebook | Where to Stay | Things to Do | Best Hikes

The mountain paradise fondly known to Virginians as Shenandoah National Park is situated high in the Blue Ridge Mountains where old stands of trees, craggy cliffs, and plenty of wildlife make their home.

Drive the park’s famous Skyline Drive, which takes you along the ridge line of the mountains, for unforgettable views.

Fall brings beautiful leaf-peeping opportunities, while late spring and summer provide a welcome relief from the heat in the valleys and towns down below.

And if Skyline Drive wasn’t enough for you, the world-famous Blue Ridge Parkway even makes an appearance in the park!

everglades national park florida — Everglades National Park Sunset (NPS photo by Miguel Salas) – All East Coast National Parks

4. Everglades National Park

Location: Florida
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. To that end, it’s not only a national park, but a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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 exploring another world and is a right of passage for any nature-loving American. Whether you travel by canoe, kayak, boat, or walk some of the park’s many boardwalks, you’re sure to be amazed by this South Florida wildlife paradise.

congaree national park south carolina — Autumn in Congaree National Park (Photo Credit: jt-fineart.com) – Best East Coast National Parks

5. Congaree National Park

Location: South Carolina
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.

Congaree happens to be one of the more forgotten parks on the east coast which is great for those of us who like to avoid crowds! Kayaking and canoeing are popular, as are strolling the park’s boardwalks.

I’d avoid spring and early summer unless you love mosquitoes. Seriously though, this park is famous for it’s mosquitoes, or should I say infamous.

biscayne national park best national parks to escape winter — Boca Chita Key in Biscayne National Park (NPS photo) – East Coast National Parks

6. Biscayne National Park

Location: Florida
Resources: Where to Stay | Things to Do | Facts

Back to Florida for another truly coastal east coast national park. As you can see in the above photo this park has a lot going for it if you don’t mind getting wet.

Palm trees, white sand beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and crystal clear blue water, what’s not to like?

While you may have heard the common national park slogan “half the park is after dark”, here that should probably be amended to “half the park is underwater”. Actually at Biscayne, it’s most of the park. So bring you beach towel and snorkel and check this one of your bucket list!

whitewater rafting new river gorge — New River Gorge National Park

7. New River Gorge National Park

Location: West Virginia
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 in West Virginia.

While efforts are still underway to create the national park amenities visitors to other parks might be used to, now is a great time to visit this relatively unknown and spectacularly beautiful part of West Virginia.

Rafting and rock climbing are the most popular activities here, along with hiking. The weather is mild in the summer and fall brings beautiful color to the surrounding hills and mountains.

dry tortguas national park florida — Dry Tortugas National Park (NPS photo)

8. Dry Tortugas National Park

Location: Florida
Resources: Where to Stay | Things to Do | Facts

What can I say? When it comes to east coast national parks, Florida is flush with them!

For this east coast national park, we travel just about 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.

Now getting here isn’t a cake walk, it involves a pricey ferry ride and pretty spartan conditions within the park. But if you can reach it, the park offers unparalleled opportunities for snorkeling, sea kayaking, wildlife viewing, and a completely one-of-a-kind national park experience.

Beyond the East Coast National Parks

At this point in the list, we’re departing the coastal area sufficiently to no longer be “on the coast”. As such, the following national parks are ranked by relative proximity to the east coast.

9. Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Location: Ohio
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, old hardwood trees, and plenty of natural beauty make this small park an oasis near the bustling city of Cleveland.

Cuyahoga is a great place to spend a day and soak in the natural beauty of Ohio.