ARTICLE OVERVIEW: East Coast National Park Road Trips
An East Coast road trip to national parks mixes the beauty of nature with some of the largest cities, best beaches, and most impressive Appalachian Mountains views. This side of the country holds the most popular National Park Service site of them all, Blue Ridge Parkway, running between two national parks.
Whether you’re trying to knock all eleven East Coast National parks off your list in one fell swoop or trying to piece together a trip by a certain region, I’m thrilled that the mileage I’ve put on my Subaru can help.
Without burying the lead – there isn’t an easy path to tackle all 11. I’ve mapped out four options along with the “Great Road Trip of All Time” along the East Coast that can help you tackle the park(s) most important to you without missing any others in that region.
Details of seasonal weather concerns and benefits help you choose the time of year, and our massive collection of first-hand experiences with the national parks helps you make the best choice for your East Coast road trip.
TABLE OF CONTENTS: East Coast National Park Road Trip
Table of contents: East Coast National Park Road Trip
- Where National Parks are Located on the East Coast
- 3 Quick Helpful Tips for East Coast Road Trips
- East Coast Road Trip Weather Planning
- Top 5 East Coast National Park Road Trips
- 2. The South Route East Coast Road Trip
- 3. Florida East Coast Road Trip
- 4. The “Go North” East Coast Road Trip
- “Go North” Route Details
- 5. Route 1 East Coast Road Trip
- East Coast Road Trip Map
- List of East Coast Road Trip National Parks
- Helpful Related Links
Where National Parks are Located on the East Coast
For the purposes of this article, we’re sticking with the parks east of the Mississippi River. That includes states like Indiana, Tennessee, and Kentucky, which proverbially might fit better in designations such as the Midwest, South, or Appalachia.
As you can see in the map below, the adventure will take us from offshore Florida, as far west as Indiana, and as far north as Maine. Of the 63 NPS sites designated as National Parks, 11 of them group into the East Coast region.
3 Quick Helpful Tips for East Coast Road Trips
- Buying an America the Beautiful interagency pass for the best value. For just $80, the pass offers access to more than 2,000 public lands, including national forests, all NPS sites, and BLM sites along your east coast road trip route. That includes admission for the passholder and three additional people in a passenger car over the age of 16. Anyone under 16 gets in free anyway.
- Our list includes the majority of parks in the Eastern Time Zone. However, both Mammoth Cave and Indiana Dunes National Park are in Central Time, one hour behind. Keep this in mind when making reservations or booking tours – you will book in the time zone of the park, not where you’re located.
- Download the National Park Service mobile app to have all the parks in the palm of your hand. As you plan the trip, save the locations you like best, check off the parks you’ll visit, and download offline maps to use in the park. Google Maps also allows you to download offline maps – just be sure to do so when you have a strong internet connection.
East Coast Road Trip Weather Planning
The season of travel greatly impacts your East Coast national parks road trip. For the most part, the “warm” states will be south of the 33rd Parallel. That includes South Carolina and Florida for our group of states. The rest are “cold” states, meaning winter can include snow and/or ice. Higher elevations get more winter weather than lower-lying areas.
Hurricanes
Hurricane Season runs from June 1 through November 30 across the Atlantic Seaboard. The most active part of the season ranges from August through October. If you’re traveling during that time, always keep an eye on the National Hurricane Center.
A few things to note here for your safety:
- The storm surge, not wind, accounts for the most hurricane deaths.
- Once hurricanes move over land, the tropical remnants impact as far inland as the Midwest. This manifests in ways like heavy rain, severe thunderstorms, and even tornadoes.
- Offshore hurricanes, nicknamed “fish storms,” can still cause rough surf and dangerous rip currents along the coast.
Severe Weather
Many people associate severe weather and tornadoes with places like Oklahoma and Kansas, but Dixie Alley in the South and the Upper Midwest face severe weather season, usually from March through May.
As a storm chaser, I must emphasize that if you are caught in a severe storm or tornado on the road, do NOT park under an overpass.
In New England, the nor’easter season runs from November through April. These storms build as powerful storms or rainmakers with hefty winds. In January 2024, Acadia National Park lost part of Ocean Path and Seawall to a fierce storm.
WHY DOES THIS MATTER?: National Parks impacted by storms could be closed for days or weeks to clean up the post-storm damage. All parks post updates on the Park Conditions section (found on the website or app) and on social media pages.
Red Tide/Blue Green Algae
I lived in Florida for many years, and people still ask, “How could you leave such a beautiful place?” My main answer persists – Red Tide.
Red Tide is a harmful algae bloom that comes in off the coast and kills fish. Much like its freshwater cousin, blue-green algae, it peaks during the summer heat. If the algae stench at the beach doesn’t get to you, the tons of dead, rotting fish smell will.
Blue-green algae in freshwater is a growing problem across America due to global warming. While it might make you itch, it can kill a pet who swam in algae waters within hours.
Heat Index/Wind Chill
As someone who lived in Florida and Nevada, I say with 100% conviction – “It (the desert) really is a dry heat!” Any East Coast road trip brings higher humidity levels than places like Yellowstone or the Utah Mighty 5.
Humidity affects how our bodies perceive temperature, either making it feel colder in windy conditions (wind chill) or hotter in calm conditions (heat index).
- Mount Washington, New Hampshire, stands as the highest peak in the northeast but famously makes headlines for its wind and bitter cold. In February 2023, the mountain reached the coldest wind chill ever recorded in the United States – 🥶-108.4°F.
- On the flip side, Miami saw the hottest July that same year, with the heat index reaching about 100°F for 46 days in a row. At the same time, the water at Manatee Bay in Everglades National Park reached 101.2°F.
- The humid late spring and summer months bring bugs that can ruin an adventure for those unprepared with bug spray. Even then, you still risk being miserable in places like the Everglades or Congaree.
Top 5 East Coast National Park Road Trips
We’ve collected our favorite road trips to offer you some groupings of national parks and other public land to maximize your experience.
1. Blue Ridge Parkway: “America’s Favorite Drive”
Length: 469 Miles
Travel Time: 10-12 Hours (without stops)
Visitation: 16,757,635 (2023)
Elevation: Highest Point is 6,053 feet. Lowest Point is 650 feet.
About The Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway starts from Skyline Drive at the southern end of Shenandoah National Park. Mile markers start there with 0 and grow in size as you get closer to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, almost 470 miles away. For the most part, it parallels the Appalachian Trail.
I’d recommend starting this East Coast road trip from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as then you’ll be on the right side of the road with incredible views along the way. The best and busiest time to take the Blue Ridge Parkway is autumn, when colors explode through the elevations. Spring ranks high as well for the abundant waterfalls along the way.
Winter can lead to closures along the road, but posted updates help you see what’s open or closed.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Blue Ridge Parkway meets Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Cherokee, North Carolina. You’ll need a parking tag to stop longer than 15 minutes inside the park. Newfound Gap Road cuts across the park north/south and is the easiest way to access Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the Smokies.
Our favorite spots in the Smokies include:
- Andrews Bald
- Cades Cove
- Mount LeConte
- Roaring Fork Motor Trail
- Chimney Tops
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Resources: Map | Guide | Visitor’s Guide | Facts | Park Conditions
Shenandoah National Park
The Blue Ridge Parkway starts at Shenandoah National Park, but at either end, you’ll want to add the 105 miles of Skyline Drive to the list. The mountains here don’t come higher than 4,050 feet, but unlike the Great Smoky Mountains, the main road through Shenandoah rides the ridgeline.
Shenandoah National Park’s size is less than twice that of the Smokies, but it’s a long, narrow expanse instead of an oblong shape. Plus, Skyline Road can take you to some of the best spots in Shenandoah. At the Great Smoky Mountains, you’re hoofing it a good distance to many of the best peaks and views.
In addition, Shenandoah sees about 1.5 million visitors a year. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited of all parks, bringing in 13.3 million in 2023.
Must-see spots in Shenandoah include:
- Old Rag (day-use tickets required)
- Hawksbill Loop (highest point)
- Stony Man Mountain
- Rose River Falls
- Dark Hallow Falls
Shenandoah National Park Resources: Things to Do | Map | Guide | Where to Stay | Park Conditions | Best Hikes
Final Thoughts on Blue Ridge Parkway East Coast Road Trip
For those who want to spend more time in national parks and less time on the meandering no-faster-than-45-miles-per-hour Blue Ridge Parkway, add New River Gorge National Park to this East Coast road trip.
Some of the country’s best rafting and rock climbing await at the newest national park. From Shenandoah National Park, a stop at New River Gorge adds about three hours to the trip.
Bears live in the entire stretch of the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains, so stay bear-aware and be careful on trails. Leave the bears alone. As we saw during peak foliage of 2023, an eight-mile section of the parkway was closed after some people tried to feed and hold a bear.
2. The South Route East Coast Road Trip
Length: 1,396 Miles
Travel Time: 23 Hours
States: North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky
Parks: Great Smoky Mountains, Congaree, Shenandoah, New River Gorge, Mammoth Cave
The South Route: 5 National Parks
If you like your road trips like the South loves sweet tea, this trip offers a great dose of Dixie. Full disclosure – I made up this route. However, the loop makes sense no matter where you start. You get the three aforementioned parks plus two more.
With Congaree National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park sitting off on their own in separate states, finding the easy way to loop them in is rather hard. As a bonus, most of my South Route mapping includes interstate driving.
South Carolina’s Congaree is renowned for its old-growth bottomland hardwood forest, which contains some of the tallest trees in the eastern United States. The park’s vast floodplain ecosystem includes towering cypress and tupelo trees. Hiking, canoeing, and birdwatching rank as the most popular activities.
Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave boasts the world’s longest-known cave system, with over 400 miles of explored passageways. Explore the underground labyrinth on guided tours, showcasing the park’s unique geological and historical significance.
One thing I would recommend on the South Route is taking the Blue Ridge Parkway from Great Smoky Mountains National Park for 76 miles until it meets up with I-26 south of Asheville. That stretch of waterfalls overlooks, and roadside hikes through Pisgah National Forest dazzle every time.
3. Florida East Coast Road Trip
Length: 229 Miles
Travel Time: 6 Hours (without stops)
Visitation: 1,465,716 between three national parks (2023)
Elevation: At or near sea level.
About Florida National Parks
One of the easiest East Coast road trips sits at the bottom of Florida. Here, you’ll find Dry Tortugas National Park, Everglades National Park, and Biscayne National Park. I’d recommend four to five days to see it all, but practically, you could see them all in three.
The best part about this section of an East Coast road trip is that all parks are south of Miami and its traffic. Biscayne National Park sits just 33 miles from Miami International Airport. As a former Floridian, I assure you the best time to visit these parks is in the winter or early spring. Maybe late fall if a hurricane isn’t building offshore.
Let’s do a brief overview of each park.
Biscayne National Park
Biscayne National Park encompasses aquamarine waters, vibrant coral reefs, and a diverse array of marine life. Its underwater wonders make it a paradise for snorkelers and divers. Explore colorful coral gardens, underwater archaeological sites, and thriving fish populations.
Above the surface, visitors can kayak through mangrove forests, spot manatees and sea turtles, or relax on pristine beaches. As the northernmost keys of the Florida Keys, consider exploring Boca Chita, Elliott, and Adams Keys, or just stay on the mainland.
Biscayne National Park Resources: Things to Do | Facts | Guidebook | Hotel | Park Conditions
Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve is the largest tropical wilderness of any kind in the United States.
Its expansive wetlands, mangrove forests, and sawgrass prairies provide crucial habitat for a diverse array of plant and animal species, including endangered species like the Florida panther and the American crocodile. Alligators (native) and Burmese Pythons (not native) roam the waters and wetlands, too.
Everglades National Park hosts three entrances – Miami, Homestead, and Everglades City. The drive between the three of them falls just short of 100 miles, with Everglades City being the farthest. Before heading to Everglades City, check the status of the new visitor center being built.
Everglades National Park Resources: Things to Do | Facts | Map | Guidebook | Hotel | Park Conditions
Dry Tortugas National Park
Let me grab my soapbox to tell you why Dry Tortugas might be one of the least visited national parks, but it’s also one of the most in-demand locations across the board. Unless you have a boat, a ferry on the Yankee Freedom or a seaplane ride marks your only way to get there.
The park is 99% water and sits 70 miles west of Key West. The remote and pristine archipelago offers several islands, including the historic Fort Jefferson. Dive down to shipwrecks or watch the seabirds. Tortugas means turtle in Spanish, and you’ll see some of those, too.
With limited camping and no resources on the islands, a day trip makes the most sense. Again, without a boat, you won’t have a choice.
Dry Tortugas National Park Resources: Things to Do | Dry Tortugas Ferry | Park Conditions | Guidebook | Hotel (Key West)
4. The “Go North” East Coast Road Trip
Length: 1,219 Miles
Travel Time: 19 Hours (without stops)
Park Covered: Indiana Dunes, Cuyahoga Valley, Acadia National Park
Cities on Route: Chicago, Cleveland, Buffalo (Niagara Falls), Boston, Portland (ME)
“Go North” Route Details
We still have three national parks to explore on the East Coast road trip, and they’re all well north of the Mason-Dixon Line. In addition, this route easily starts in Chicago and rides the Lake Erie shoreline until Niagara Falls. You’ll skirt the Adirondacks of New York before crossing the Berkshires of Massachusetts.
If you’re up for it, take a 110-mile detour to Cape Cod National Seashore before heading north to Downeast Maine, where you’ll get the best coastline views long before you’re on Mount Desert Island. Explore the Maine outlets in Kittery or Freeport (also home to L.L. Bean Flagship Store) or spend a night in Portland.
Before we devour that lobster roll, let’s check out the parks along the way.
Indiana Dunes National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park pairs with Indiana Dunes State Park on the southern shore of Lake Michigan. Renowned for its towering sand dunes, pristine beaches, and diverse ecosystems, this is a beach and birders paradise. With over 15,000 acres of protected natural areas, the park encompasses habitats such as dune fields, wetlands, and oak savannas.
Indiana Dunes Resources: Things to Do | Indiana Dunes State Park | Geology of Indiana Dunes | Park Conditions
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, urbanly between Akron and Cleveland in Ohio, showcases natural and cultural heritage along the Cuyahoga River. Spanning over 33,000 acres, the park features lush forests, rolling hills, and picturesque waterfalls. Visitors can hike or bike along scenic trails, paddle down the winding river, and explore historic sites such as the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail and the Stanford House.
Cuyahoga Valley Resources: Things to Do | Facts | Park Conditions
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park, located along the rugged coast of Maine, offers a stunning blend of rocky shorelines, dense forests, and granite peaks. As the oldest national park east of the Mississippi River, Acadia is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, including the iconic Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the U.S. Atlantic seaboard. Acadia National Park provides a quintessential New England outdoor experience.
Acadia National Park Resources: Map | Guide | Epic Visitor’s Guide | Facts | Video Tour |Park Conditions
5. Route 1 East Coast Road Trip
Length: 2,369 Miles
Travel Time:
Park Covered: Dry Tortugas, Everglades, Biscayne, Acadia, numerous national seashores, and
Cities on Route: Chicago, Cleveland, Buffalo (Niagara Falls), Boston, Portland (ME)
Must-Have Planning Tool: The Great American Road Trip: U.S. 1, Maine to Florida
“America’s First Highway” Route 1
While most minds go to the Pacific Coast Highway when hearing “Route 1,” this East Coast road trip takes you from Fort Kent, Maine, to Key West, Florida, on one of the oldest and longest highways. Also, the “other” Route 1 is actually Highway 1, a California highway.
This national highway spans nearly 2,300 miles, riding the coastline for a chunk of the East Coast road trip way. Plan for at least two weeks on the road for this epic adventure.
Route 1 offers fewer scenic views than roads like the Blue Ridge Parkway, but the places to stop along the way would rival Route 66. Check out this sample of stops:
- Maine: Fort Kent, Houlton (also the end of I-95), Machias, Rockland, Brunswick, Portland
- New Hampshire Portsmouth, Seabrook
- Massachusetts: Newburyport, Boston
- Rhode Island: Providence, Narragansett Pier
- Connecticut: New London, New Haven, Bridgeport
- New York: New York City
- New Jersey: Jersey City, Newark, Trenton
- Pennsylvania: Morrisville, South Langhorne, Philadelphia, Oxford
- Maryland: Bel Air, Baltimore
- Washington, D.C.
- Virginia: Alexandria, Fredericksburg, Richmond, Petersburg
- North Carolina: Henderson, Raleigh, Rockingham
- South Carolina: Cheraw, Columbia (Congaree National Park!), Aiken
- Georgia: Augusta, Swainsboro, Waycross
- Florida: Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Miami, Key West
Search for the National Park Service sites near the places you’d like to stop. This helpful tool from NPS allows you to search more than just national parks – it includes monuments, historical parks, seashores, etc., along the way.
East Coast Road Trip Map
List of East Coast Road Trip National Parks
Here’s a full list of the East Coast national parks to consider for your road trip.
- Dry Tortugas National Park
- Everglades National Park
- Biscayne National Park
- Congaree National Park
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Shenandoah National Park
- New River Gorge National Park
- Mammoth Cave National Park
- Indiana Dunes National Park
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park
- Acadia National Park
Pin East Coast National Park Road Trip
Helpful Related Links
Road Trip Essentials: 35+ ROAD TRIP ESSENTIALS (You’ll Love + Packing List)
Road Trip Planning Tools: 15 BEST FREE ROAD TRIP PLANNING Tools (& Apps) 2022
National Park Road Trip: 10 BEST National Park Road Trips
West Coast Road Trip: The ULTIMATE Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip
Arizona Road Trips: 10 BEST Arizona Road Trips
Oregon Road Trip: The Ultimate Oregon Road Trip
Utah National Parks Road Trips: 5 Best Utah National Park Road Trips
Best National Parks to Visit: 20 Best National Parks to Visit 2023
Largest National Parks: 15 Largest National Parks in the United States (+ Full List)
Largest National Parks: 15 Largest National Parks in the United States (+ Full List)
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