The Southeastern United States is home to 10 National Parks, each offering unique landscapes, historical significance, and recreational opportunities. Here’s a comprehensive list of these sites, along with summaries highlighting things to do, hiking information, and visiting details:
10 National Parks in the Southern United States
- Overview: Straddling the border between Tennessee and North Carolina, this park is renowned for its mist-covered mountains, rich biodiversity, and well-preserved historic structures.
- Things to Do: Wildlife viewing, scenic drives, camping, and exploring historic buildings.
- Hiking: Offers over 850 miles of trails, including a 70-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail. Trails range from easy walks to challenging backcountry routes.
- Visiting Information: Open year-round with no entrance fee. Visitor centers provide maps, exhibits, and restrooms.
- Overview: The largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S., protecting a unique landscape that provides habitat for rare and endangered species like the manatee and Florida panther.
- Things to Do: Guided tours, bird watching, boating, and fishing.
- Hiking: Several short trails and longer backcountry routes.
- Visiting Information: Entrance fee required. Visitor centers offer educational exhibits and information on guided tours.
- Blog Post About the Everglades: Everglades National Park: Voted One of the Best National Parks in the USA
- Overview: Preserves the largest tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the U.S., offering a sanctuary for diverse plant and animal species.
- Things to Do: Canoeing, bird watching, and ranger-led programs.
- Hiking: Over 25 miles of trails, including an elevated boardwalk loop.
- Visiting Information: No entrance fee. The visitor center provides maps and information on current conditions.
- Blog Posts About Congaree National Park: 5 Epic Things to do at Congaree National Park
- Overview: Home to the world’s longest known cave system, with more than 400 miles explored.
- Things to Do: Guided cave tours, camping, and horseback riding.
- Hiking: Over 80 miles of trails above ground, ranging from short walks to longer hikes.
- Visiting Information: Entrance to the park is free, but cave tours require a fee and reservations. The visitor center offers exhibits and tour information.
- Blog Posts About Mammoth Cave: 10 Mind-Boggling Facts About Mammoth Cave & Visting Mammoth Cave with Kids
- Overview: Located along the Blue Ridge Mountains, it is known for its scenic vistas, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife.
- Things to Do: Scenic drives along Skyline Drive, wildlife viewing, and camping.
- Hiking: Over 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail.
- Visiting Information: Entrance fee required. Visitor centers provide maps, exhibits, and restrooms.
- Overview: Protects a unique marine ecosystem, including coral reefs, mangrove forests, and the northernmost Florida Keys.
- Things to Do: Snorkeling, scuba diving, boating, and fishing.
- Hiking: Limited hiking opportunities; most activities are water-based.
- Visiting Information: No entrance fee. Dante Fascell Visitor Center offers exhibits and information on guided tours.
- Blog Post About Biscayne National Park: Top 10 Things to do at Biscayne National Park
- Overview: Located about 70 miles west of Key West, this park is known for its crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and historic Fort Jefferson.
- Things to Do: Snorkeling, bird watching, and exploring Fort Jefferson.
- Hiking: Limited to short walks around the fort and beaches.
- Visiting Information: Accessible only by boat or seaplane. Entrance fee required. The visitor center within Fort Jefferson provides historical exhibits.
- Overview: Known for its natural hot springs, historic bathhouses, and scenic mountain views.
- Things to Do: Bathing in thermal waters, touring historic bathhouses, and scenic drives.
- Hiking: Over 26 miles of trails through forested hills.
- Visiting Information: No entrance fee. Fordyce Bathhouse serves as the visitor center with exhibits and park information.
- Overview: The newest national park, designated in 2020, is known for its rugged canyon, rich history, and diverse ecosystems.
- Things to Do: Whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and scenic drives.
- Hiking: Over 100 miles of trails, ranging from easy walks to challenging hikes.
- Visiting Information: No entrance fee. Canyon Rim Visitor Center offers exhibits and information on recreational activities.
- Overview: Protects the barrier islands of the Gulf of Mexico, offering white sandy beaches, historic forts, and diverse wildlife.
- Things to Do: Swimming, fishing, and exploring historic sites.
- Hiking: Several short trails on various islands.
- Visiting Information: Some areas require an entrance fee.
Become a Junior Ranger
The Junior Ranger program is a fantastic way for kids to learn about a National Park site. Children can complete a series of tasks to earn a Junior Ranger badge. These tasks can range from drawing a badge, word searches, BINGO, fill in the blanks, and locating facts about the site. The number of tasks required to collect the badge varies based on the location, so be sure to ask the Park Ranger for specific details.
Don’t be jealous, grownups can earn badges too! The Junior Ranger program is open to everyone!
Free Family Road Trip Starter Kit
🎶 Ready to hit the road with magic in the speakers?
Don’t forget to grab our FREE Family Road Trip Starter Kit — packed with printable checklists, kid-approved games, and snack ideas for your next adventure!
🎒 Includes:
Packing checklist
I Spy game
Travel Bingo boards
Snack list
Activity ideas
Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure
For future reference, save our post: “10 National Parks in the Southeastern United States”. To get inspo for your next trip, check out the Ultimate National Park Bucket List. Plan your trip around Free National Park Days and learn about The National Park’s Awesome Junior Ranger Program.
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