Five Must-See National Parks in the Southeastern United States
The southeastern United States has many national parks that showcase the region’s diverse landscapes and ecological richness. From mountainous areas to coastal landscapes, these parks invite visitors to discover the unique beauty of the Southeast.
One of the most iconic parks in the southeastern U.S. is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, straddling the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. With ancient mountains and dense forests, this park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and welcomes millions of visitors annually. Visitors can admire the Smokies’ misty peaks by hiking some of the countless trails covering over 800 miles, including a portion of the renowned Appalachian Trail. Furthermore, visitors can explore old forests and historic ranches like Cades Cove.
The national park has countless animal species, including black bears and white-tailed deer. Most people visit the Smoky Mountains National Park in the summer when the weather is ideal. However, spring is a lovely season to see the flowers blooming, while fall transforms the landscape into a vibrant palette of reds and golds, making it a photographer’s dream.
Further south and into the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the Dry Tortugas National Park is a remote paradise accessible only by boat or seaplane from Key West, Florida. This park comprises seven small islands, including the site of the 19th-century coastal fortress Fort Jefferson. The marine life at Dry Tortugas attracts snorkelers and divers who come to spot the colorful fish and sea turtles. The isolation of Dry Tortugas adds to its charm, making it a pristine refuge where you can find tranquility and natural beauty. Visitors can head to Dry Tortugas National Park in spring to witness the bird migration or early summer to spot the most sea turtles.
Not far from Miami, Florida, Biscayne National Park is another must-see national park home to aquamarine waters, mangrove forests, and vibrant coral reefs. Visitors can go snorkeling, kayaking, and boating amid the diverse marine habitats, paddle through mangrove-lined channels, or join a boat tour to explore shipwrecks and coastal ecosystems. The best seasons to visit Biscayne National Park are spring and winter to avoid the heat of the summer months and the hurricane season between June and November.
One last national park worth visiting in Florida is Everglades National Park, a UNESCO International Biosphere Reserve on the southern tip of Florida. The national park houses one of the world’s most unique and fragile ecosystems, comprising sawgrass prairies, mangrove forests, and freshwater marshes. Everglades boasts unique and diverse wildlife, including alligators, manatees, and many bird species. Adventurers can join airboat tours to explore the vast wetlands, hike through pine forests, or paddle along scenic water trails. Like Biscayne National Park, the ideal time to visit the Everglades is winter and spring, ideally from December to April.
Lastly, moving to central South Carolina, Congaree National Park is a wilderness preserve home to an impressive floodplain forest. Visitors can wander along boardwalk trails winding through the swampy floodplains and admire ancient trees like bald cypress and tupelo. The park’s seasonal flooding creates a unique ecosystem that supports diverse wildlife, including numerous bird species. Congaree is the perfect national park for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. The park is open to visitors year-round, but the best seasons are spring and fall.
