Road tripping is one of the best ways to experience delicious food, explore places, take pictures, get a good bond with the people you go to, celebrate birthdays, and have more fun. The best ways to explore the US National Parks, Monuments, and State Parks are by taking a scenic route. If you want to take a road trip, you will have to be well prepared, use the self-guided route that helps you plan your adventure. You can also add more parks in your plan to visit according to your time. Here are a few National Parks where you can visit by taking the best road trip to the East Coast and Great Smokies.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park stretches through both Tennessee and North Carolina in the southeastern United States. It is the most visited national park which is over 500,000 acres. The number of visitors to this park will be around nine million every year. The attractive things of this park are the beauty of its ancient mountains, Southern Appalachian mountain culture, wilderness sanctuary, flora and fauna, and many more that are waiting to be appreciated. There are many adventures you can try in this park and the common activity is hiking. From Mammoth Cave, it takes only four hours to the Great Smoky Mountain national park. The best router for a drive is by taking Cades Cove Loop Road where you can explore a lot quickly. Don’t miss taking scenic hikes that lead to many beautiful waterfalls. Even though the park is crowded during fall or summer, it is the best time to visit where the trees look vibrant and the weather will be perfect.
Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park is a unique destination for mountain lovers. This park extends along the beautiful part of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. The Shenandoah River flows through the valley to the west along with Massanutten Mountain which is 40 miles long. You will have a great experience when you drive through the mountains. Most of the visitors come to this park in the month of October. This park is the best place for adventures like hiking, enjoying the panorama view, and also experiencing Skyline Drive which is the best loop of the park where you can accomplish it in three hours. The best time to visit this park is during fall where the trees dazzle in gold and red.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway is also called “ America’s Favorite Drive” and it is one of the most visited spots of America’s National Park system. You will have an amazing experience when you drive through the Blue Ridge Parkway that provides a pleasing view of long ranges and also close-up looks of the natural and cultural history of the Appalachian Mountains. The best way to see all these places is only by drive. So, don’t be in a hurry. You might see a part of the road will be closed during the winter season due to snow and ice but you will always have a route that is open for a drive. If you want to know more information about the park-like special events, temporary closures, weather conditions and construction, and blooms, you can contact (828) 298 0398 information number.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Assateague Island is recreated by ocean wind and waves every day. This island has adapted to a fact by moving and changing. Don’t miss exploring salt marshes, coastal bays, sandy beaches, and maritime forests. There are many wild horses that roam freely among the plants and there are animals that are adapted to the salt, wind, and sand. The bayside drive in the campground is opened year-round at the Assateague Island National Seashore. And you can park your vehicles in the paved driveway or in the drive-in campground. The bayside drive in the campground is more popular on this seashore. You can relax, enjoy and recreate on the edge of the continent.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Cape Hatteras National Seashore preserves the portion of the Outer Banks of North Carolina from Bodie Island to Ocracoke Island that stretches over 70 miles. You can experience the starry night sky, the sound of ocean waves, or the calm of the salt marshes. These islands will keep changing and shaped by the forces of wind, storms, and water. The native plants, animals, and people here are adapted to the place. There are many activities to do in this park like camping, enjoying the beach, kayaking, and there is something, climbing the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse which is more popular and everyone can enjoy it.
Disclaimer
You will have to check out the weather conditions because the climate might affect the road during snow, heavy rainfall, etc. There may also be some dirt roads. You must also check the time of road closures or construction prior. You can use Google Maps for your route and add or remove locations according to your dream.