14 East Coast National Parks You Need to Visit Now

Most of the famous U.S. parks are located on the East Coast side. East Coast National Parks are famous for amazing waterfalls, breathtaking scenery, scenic views, and natural wildlife scenes.

Are you heading toward the East Coast and do not know about the best national parks East Coast? There’s no need to worry.

From the natural scenic beauty to amazing river views and cascading waterfalls, here is a detailed list of the 13 best national parks in USA East Coast.

East Coast National Parks Map

Here is the National Parks USA map.

1. Acadia National Park

Acadia Park is one of the best state parks East Coast with mesmerizing views, tranquil beauty & lush greenery. It’s a paradise of parks east in the form of a misty atmosphere, amazing mountains, and beautiful natural beauty. It also has a more than 100-mile hiking trail that makes it one of the best East Coast national parks hiking.

Best Time to Visit

• Winter, spring, or late fall except summer.

Phone

• (207) 288-3338

2. Valley Forge National Historical Park

Looking for the best national parks in eastern us? Do not forget to explore Valley Forge Park. It is located in the northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This park offers historical tours, recreational activities, and fun annual events that every visitor must attend once in a lifetime. The state’s lush meadows & woodlands are amazingly beautiful.

Best Time to Visit

• Summer break is the ideal time.

Phone

• (610) 783-1077

3. Congaree National Park

Congaree National Park is one of the national parks east USA that is famous for having the tallest trees all over the East Coast. A 26,692.6-acre park will truly turn your imagination into reality when you explore this place for the first time. Between mid-May and mid-June, you can see fireflies in Congaree National Park.

Best Time to Visit

• Visit this park during spring or fall.

Phone

• (803) 776-4396

4. Everglades National Park

One of the best national parks on east coast of USA which offers an epic expanse of wetlands. The Everglades National Park covers an area of more than 1.5 million acres. Not only this, it’s also a UNESCO world heritage site. The huge & beautiful landscapes of this park welcome visitors every year and make it one of the best state parks East Coast.

Best Time to Visit

• The cooler months i.e., December through April.

Phone

• (305) 242-7700

5. Shenandoah National Park

If you are on an East Coast National parks road trip from Washington D.C, you will find Shenandoah National Park on your way. The wooded hollows, cascading waterfalls, stunning vistas & lush green beauty provide visitors with endless ways to connect with nature. Also, the Appalachian farming communities are famous for this park.

Best Time to Visit

• September to November & March to May are ideal times to visit this park.

Phone

• (540) 999-3500

6. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

This park features the best nature on the East Coast with huge biodiversity. The Great Smoky Mountains National Parks in the eastern United States is home to 20,000 natural species, wooded trails and all-level hiking trails. For a picnic, go to the Collins Creek picnic site to enjoy an amazing picnic lunch with the surrounding beauty.

Best Time to Visit

• June, July, August & early fall is the golden period to visit this park.

Phone

• (865) 436-1200

7. Biscayne National Park

One of the unique East Coast national parks with crystal bluest waters, extensive coral reefs, vegetation, and marine life. It is located just an hour away from the concrete jungle of Miami. In this park, you can take advantage of snorkeling and boating opportunities. Explore the underwater ecosystem full of sea turtles, dolphins and mangroves.

Best Time to Visit

• You can visit from January to April. 

Phone

• (305) 230-1144

8. Cape Cod National Seashore

If you are in Massachusetts and searching for East Coast national parks near me, Cape Cod National Seashore is one of the best national parks in the East. It is famous for its 40-mile pristine beaches, famous lighthouses, and underwater sand dunes. The park’s freshwater ponds, woodlands and marshes are really beautiful.

Best Time to Visit

• To enjoy your time to the fullest, visit only in two months i.e., June & September.  

Phone

• (508) 255-3421

9. Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park is best for going underground which is located in south-central Kentucky. It is considered as the longest cave system all over the world. If you don’t mind the dark and want to discover new things in your life, must visit this park. When visiting this park, must go to kid-friendly attractions like Frozen Niagara or Mammoth Passage.

Best Time to Visit

• Summer is the ideal time (from mid-June to early September).   

Phone

• (270) 758-2180

10. Colonial National Historical Park

Want to discover history along with nature-filled views? Colonial National Historical Park is the park where the earliest origins of the U.S. can be found. For nature lovers, this park features bird watching of more than 200 various species. During fall, the forest and tree-lined parkway become a place of reds, orange, and browns.

Best Time to Visit

• October to February when summer ends and winter is at its peak.

Phone

• 757-898-2410

11. Antietam National Battlefield

Antietam National Battlefield is described as the bloodiest day in American history. If you are a casual park enthusiast or goer, this park isn’t for you to visit & explore. But for those who want to learn about ancient history in depth, this park is one of the important parks all over the U.S. You can visit this park museum and visitor center to learn about history.

Best Time to Visit

• It is recommended to visit the park during weekends of spring or fall.

Phone

• (301) 432-5124

12. Virgin Islands National Park

In the list of East Coast national parks camping, Virgin Islands National Park is one of the best among all. This historic and natural park occupies much of the space of St. John. Many of the park’s beaches are filled with coral reefs. The other things that make this park notable are seagrass beds, mangroves, and other marine habitats.

Best Time to Visit

• December to July is the perfect time when hurricane season has passed away.

Phone

• +1 340-776-6201

13. New River Gorge National Park

New River Gorge Park is where the rivers run dramatically and the bridges are high enough to give amazing views. I mean that this place is so unreal and beautiful that surprises you when visiting for the first time. The park’s more than 65,000 acres are a paradise for hiking enthusiasts, bird lovers, and anyone who praises natural beauty.

Best Time to Visit

• You can visit here only in September & October.

Phone

• (304) 465-0508

14. Cuyahoga Valley National Park

This park is located between Cleveland and Akron. Inside the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, there are dozens of waterfalls including one of the famous Brandywine Falls which is 65 foot. When the park was designed, it was created to build a national recreational area where you will find 4-course dinners, murder mystery rides, and themed trips.

Best Time to Visit

• Fall is the best time to go.

Phone

• (440) 717-3890

Final Words!

The East Coast side of the United States features various natural national parks, each offering unique landscapes, historical sites, and recreational opportunities.

From the rugged mountains of Acadia National Park to the serene beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, these 14 East Coast National Parks provide a chance to connect with nature, learn about American history, and create unforgettable memories.

Frequently Asked Questions