When it comes to beauty, nature never disappoints. The United States is full of natural wonders that inspire travelers looking for adventure. This is especially true of the nation’s national parks.
If you’ve never experienced the national parks on the east coast, you’re in for a treat. After all, the east coast is packed with amazing natural scenery that will keep you exploring year after year.
This article takes a look at the best national parks to visit on the east coast. Keep reading to discover places that should be at the top of your list of destinations as you plan your next vacation.
1. Everglades National Park (Florida)
This is one of the most amazing destinations in the country, featuring wild and natural wetlands that will take your breath away. A vast 1.5 million acres of mangroves and sawgrass is like nothing you’ve ever seen. Everglades National Park also protects & provides an important habitat for numerous rare and endangered species like the manatee, American crocodile, and the elusive Florida panther.
2. Mammoth Cave National Park (Kentucky)
Mammoth Cave National Park features 10 miles of caves that are open for public exploration. This park features a limestone labyrinth that slowly formed over billions of years. This park preserves the longest known cave system on earth (400+ miles), as well as 53,000 acres of beautiful forest. With nearly a dozen miles of cave trail below ground, there are also nearly 70 miles of surface trails, 13 backcountry campsites, three campgrounds, and over 20 miles of navigable river for visitors to explore and enjoy. It really is two worlds in one.
3. Appalachian National Scenic Trail
If you love to hike, Appalachian National Scenic Trail ranks among the most fabulous hiking destinations anywhere in the world. This trail covers 2,190 miles across 14 states.
4. Statue of Liberty National Monument
This ranks as one of the smallest national parks on our list, and yet it’s also among the most historically significant. In May of 2019, Lady Liberty’s legacy expanded with the opening of the Statue of Liberty Museum. Housed within the Statue of Liberty Museum are three interactive galleries that tell the statue’s history in thought-provoking ways. Each gallery is designed to inspire visitors. And your National Park Pass is not needed here, National Park passes are valid at parks that charge an entrance fee. Liberty and Ellis Islands are fee-exempt by law. The price of the ferry ticket covers the cost of transportation by the concessionaire.
5. Shenandoah National Park
Located just outside Washington D.C., Shenandoah National Park offers the kind of beauty only great poetry could adequately describe. With over 500 miles of hiking trails, this is a destination you could easily spend a lifetime exploring. This fall-favorite is great to visit any time of year for lots of fantastic hikes, views, and memorable drives. If you are looking for an RV park in the area, our friends at RVShare have a great list to get you started.
6. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains rank among the oldest mountains found anywhere on earth. Featuring over 100 species of native trees, this is the ultimate destination for any nature lover. Did you also know that Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a world-renowned preserve of wildflower diversity? Over 1,500 kinds of flowering plants are found in the park, more than in any other North American national park! You can see where to find many of these flowers on the Species Mapper. In fact, the park is sometimes referred to as the “Wildflower National Park.” So blooming flowers can be found year-round in the park!
Trip-Worthy National Parks on the East Coast
Traveling the country by RV and exploring everything our national parks have to offer is a great way to create fond memories that will last a lifetime. This list of national parks on the east coast will help get your next trip started.
