Best National Parks On The East Coast

Introduction

America’s got some great national parks. Many of the parks that get the most attention, like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon, are out in the big wildernesses of the west.

But the east side of the country has some fantastic national parks as well, including some of the most popular in the country!

Here’s Shaka Guide’s complete list of our national park tours east of the Mississippi River.

1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

A man with a backpack stands triumphantly on a mountain top in the Great Smoky Mountains, surrounded by breathtaking scenery.

Location: Tennessee and North Carolina
Where to stay: Gatlinburg, TN, Pigeon Forge, TN, Cherokee, NC

As the most-visited national park in the U.S., the Great Smoky Mountains combines rich history, lush forests, and stunning vistas across Tennessee and North Carolina.

Known for its signature misty haze, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a biodiversity hotspot, boasting over 1,500 plant species, abundant wildlife, and unique geological formations.

Try any of the park’s many trails, including the Appalachian Trail which crosses through the middle of the park. Search for waterfalls, and try your luck at seeing a black bear or elk in the wild. Or capture that scenic vista up at the summit of Kuwohi, formerly known as Clingmans Dome.

2. Acadia National Park

Aerial view of Acadia National Park showcasing a stunning coastline bordered by lush green forests.

Location: Maine
Where to stay: Bar Harbor, ME

Located along the rugged coast of Maine, Acadia National Park features granite peaks, woodlands, lakes, and stunning coastal vistas.

It’s one of the few national parks where visitors can experience mountains and the Atlantic coastline in close proximity.

A drive up Cadillac Mountain is a must. It’s the highest point along the country’s eastern seaboard, and at certain times of year, it’s the first part of the United States to see the sunrise.

Located next to the quaint town of Bar Harbor, Acadia offers a more refined experience than most national parks.

Take a horse drawn carriage tour along the park’s many carriage roads. Have afternoon tea at the Jordan Pond House.

Explore cultivated gardens, walk past historic mansions, and eat your fill of Maine lobster. There’s no end to the charm, or the scenic coastal views, at Acadia.

3. Everglades National Park

A wooden bridge spans a tranquil waterway in Everglades National Park, surrounded by lush greenery and wildlife.

Location: Florida
Where to stay: Homestead, FL

The largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, Everglades National Park protects a network of wetlands and forests.

This park is known for its vast mangrove ecosystems, slow-moving freshwater sloughs, and endangered species like the American crocodile and West Indian manatee.

One of the most popular activities in the Everglades is searching for the park’s abundant wildlife. Try taking an airboat tour through the swamp, or more quietly canoe or kayak through the mangrove forests.

The Everglades is a birder’s paradise, with hundreds of species of birds calling this precious ecosystem home.

4. Shenandoah National Park

A man sits atop a mountain in Shenandoah National Park, gazing thoughtfully at the clouds drifting below him.

Location: Virginia
Where to stay: Luray, VA, Waynesboro, VA, Charlottesville, VA

Just 75 miles from Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a peaceful retreat in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. The park is famed for its winding, 105-mile Skyline Drive, mountain vistas, waterfalls, and abundant wildlife.

It’s easy to stick to Skyline Drive and hit one scenic vista after another. But hiking opportunities abound, including the Appalachian Trail.

Waterfalls are also common. Dark Hollow Falls and Rose River Falls are among the popular waterfalls that are reachable via scenic hikes. The park’s peaks are also known for their rock scrambles.

5. Cuyahoga Valley National Park

A serene waterfall cascades through vibrant fall foliage in Cuyahoga National Park, showcasing autumn's beauty.

Location: Ohio
Where to stay: Cleveland, OH, Akron, OH

This park preserves the rural landscape and history along the Cuyahoga River, offering lush forests, waterfalls, wetlands, and historical sites.

The park continues to steward wild spaces that had been urbanized and polluted, but are being reclaimed by nature.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park provides a mix of outdoor and cultural activities in a location just south of Cleveland.

Hike among the rock formations of the Ledges area. The most popular stop is Brandywine Falls, a 65-foot waterfall that’s a great photo opportunity and an ideal spot for a short hike. Or try following the Ohio & Erie Canal on the Towpath Trail.

This trail is a historical route perfect for biking and hiking. Lastly, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad offers a scenic way to see the park’s landscapes.

RELATED: Best National Parks in Winter

6. New River Gorge National Park

A stunning view of the New River Gorge Bridge, showcasing its impressive architecture against the backdrop of the national park.

Location: West Virginia
Where to stay: Beckley, WV, Fayetteville, WV

One of the newest additions to the U.S. national parks system, New River Gorge is a rugged haven for outdoor enthusiasts.

Carved by the ancient New River, the park is known for its dramatic sandstone cliffs, rich Appalachian forests, and the iconic New River Gorge Bridge.

This engineering marvel attracts thousands of spectators annually for “Bridge Day,” when visitors can BASE jump and rappel.

The park is a paradise for rock climbers, with over 1,500 established climbing routes on its sandstone cliffs.

Hiking trails like the Endless Wall Trail provide stunning views of the gorge below, while the New River is known for its challenging rapids and offers thrilling whitewater rafting.

Wildlife sightings are common, from river otters to a variety of bird species, making it an exceptional spot for both adventure and nature appreciation.

7. Indiana Dunes National Park

A lighthouse stands on the beach at Indiana Dunes National Park, surrounded by tall grass swaying in the breeze.

Location: Indiana
Where to stay: Michigan City, IN, Portage, IN, Chicago, IL

Indiana Dunes National Park, located along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, showcases a unique mix of ecosystems, including:

sandy dunes
wetlands
prairies, and
woodlands

Renowned for its 15 miles of stunning beaches, the park is a summer hotspot where visitors can swim, sunbathe, and enjoy panoramic lake views with the Chicago skyline visible in the distance.

The towering dunes, like Mount Baldy, offer hiking trails with rewarding vistas over the lake.

Nature enthusiasts will find diverse habitats home to over 1,100 plant species, making Indiana Dunes one of the most biologically diverse areas in the national park system.

Trails such as the West Beach Succession Trail wind through dunes and interdunal ponds, showcasing unique flora and fauna.

Birdwatching is also exceptional, with migratory species passing through seasonally.

RELATED: Haunted National Parks

8. Honorable Mention - Blue Ridge Parkway

blue ridge parkway road in fall

Location: North Carolina and Virginia
Where to stay: Cherokee, NC, Asheville, NC, Blowing Rock, NC, Roanoke, VA, Waynesboro, VA

And although it’s not technically a national park, we have to mention as an honorable mention the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Blue Ridge Parkway runs 469 miles, connecting Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the North Carolina side.

There are no billboards, very few businesses, and endless scenic vistas through the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The parkway is a unit of the National Park Service, but it’s a parkway, and not a national park. Nevertheless, you’ll find the same things to love as you would in a national park.

Along this ribbon of scenic parkway are hundreds of scenic overlooks, countless hiking trails, impressive waterfalls, and plenty of attractions.

Explore All National Parks with Shaka Guide

What do all these parks have in common? Shaka Guide has a driving tour for all of them.

Let Shaka Guide take you on a journey while we give clear directions, provide trip planning advice, and tell stories to enhance your understanding and experience in these amazing places. And we’re still working.

There are more national parks in the eastern half of the United States. Mammoth Cave, Biscayne, Dry Tortugas, Isle Royale, Voyageurs, and Congaree National Parks are all east of the Mississippi River.

Keep an eye out while Shaka Guide develops tours like these, and more.

Ready to take the tour? Check out all of Shaka Guide's National Park and Scenic Driving Tours!

We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.

For more detailed information to help you plan, check out our articles made for you!

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