Northeast National Parks + FREE Checklist (2023 Update)
- Jennifer Melroy
- Last Modified December 22, 2023
- First Published on September 29, 2021
Welcome to the Northeast! The region is home to rolling mountains, rocky coastlines, and a rich Native American and United States history. The region is home to the northern half of the Appalachian Mountains and parts of the Atlantic coastal plain with a significant Atlantic Ocean coastline.
The Northeast National Parks offer a unique glimpse into the region’s natural splendor and historical significance, from the rugged coastlines of Acadia to the center of government in D.C.
There is one National Park to explore in the Northeast. If we include the national monuments, historical sites, memorials, and much, much more. This gives the Northeast United States a total of 104 national parks to explore.
The article is a guide to the Northeastern National Parks, including parks in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont, as well as the District of Colombia. We will cover:
- Tips on Visiting the Northeast National Parks
- Northeastern National Parks Map
- National Parks in the Northeast by State
- List of Northeast National Parks by Unit
Planning to explore the Northeast? Download your free Northeast National Park Checklist HERE.
Table of Contents
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NATIONAL PARK TRIP PLANNING RESOURCES
Here are some of the best resources to plan your national park travels. If you are new to the parks, National Park Travel Planning Bundle is the perfect resource to help you plan your dream trip, get it planned, and reduce the stress of planning your National Park trip.
- National Park Itineraries: Let someone else do the planning with our pre-planned National Park Itineraries for less than $6 a day.
- Get Free Entrance: The America the Beautiful National Park Pass is an $80 pass that is valid for 12 months. The pass provides free entrance to the National Parks and more than 2,000+ other federal lands.
- Make sure you have a National Park Passport: Here is my favorite National Park Passport.
- For Flights: Use Skyscanner to get the best prices on your flights.
- For Rental Vehicles: Browse for deals on rental cars at RentalCars.com. Or rent an RV or campervan with RVshare or Outdoorsy.
- For Hotels: I book my hotels on Hotels.com and Booking.com.
- For Vacation Rentals: I love VRBO for my vacation rentals.
- For Camping: If making camping reservations in the parks, I use Recreation.gov. For private campgrounds, I use Campspot.
- Buy Outdoor Gear: I get most of my outdoor gear at REI.
- Get Trail Maps on your phone with
- Looking for National Park Gift Ideas: Here are the 55+ Best National Park Gifts Ideas.
- Don’t forget travel insurance: I get my travel insurance through World Nomads.
How Many National Parks are in the Northeast?
There is one Northeast National Park. Acadia National Park is located in Maine. There are 104 other units in the Northeast that are split between Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont, as well as the District of Colombia.
If we want to talk about all the National Park Service units in the Northeast, there are 104 national parks in the Northeast. They are divided as follows:
- 1 National Parks
- 10 National Monuments
- 20 National Historical Parks
- 29 National Historic Sites
- 1 International Historic Site
- 3 National Battlefields
- 1 National Military Parks
- 18 National Memorials
- 3 National Recreation Areas
- 2 National Seashores
- 3 National Rivers
- 1 National Parkways
- 2 National Trails
- 10 Other Designations
Tips on Visiting the Northeast National Parks
Best Time to Visit the National Parks in the Northeast
The best time to visit the National Parks in the Northeast can vary depending on your preferences, the specific park you plan to visit, and the activities you want to enjoy. Acadia is open year-round and is the busiest from July to October.
However, here are some general guidelines for the optimal times to explore the Northeast National Parks:
- Summer – The summer is the peak tourist season for most of the Northeast parks. The weather is hot and humid, the days are long, and all the parks are open and accessible. Be prepared for larger crowds and higher accommodation prices.
- My favorite Northeast National Parks to visit in the summer are Acadia and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.
- Fall – Autumn is perhaps the most visually stunning time to visit, as the foliage turns into a brilliant display of oranges, reds, and yellows. The weather is cooler and more comfortable. Be warned, leaf-peeping brings out the crowds.
- My favorite Northeast National Parks to visit in the fall are Salem Maritime Natioanl Historic Site and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
- Winter – Winters are cold and snowy. Expect many of the parks to have limited hours and limited access.
- My favorite Northeastern National Parks to visit in the winter are Statue of Liberty National Monument and Rock Creek Park.
- Spring – In the spring, the weather is generally mild, and temperatures are comfortable for hiking and outdoor activities. The weather is generally mild, though it can be unpredictable with occasional rain. This is an excellent time for bird watching, as many migratory species return to the area.The parks will start operating on their summer schedule.
- My favorite Northeast National Parks to visit in the spring are Lincoln Memorial and Constitution Gardens.
How much does it cost to visit a Northeast National Park?
In terms of charging an entrance fee, Acadia charges a $35 per vehicle fee and many of the other units have a nominal fee of $5-10 per person. These fees are covered by the America the Beautiful Pass.
I always recommend getting the $80 America the Beautiful Pass. The pass covers the entrance fees to all National Park Service units as well as more than 3,000 other federal lands. It is a steal if you plan to visit more than just one park in a twelve-month period.
>>> You can get the America the Beautiful Pass from REI.
Map of the Northeastern National Parks
Planning to explore the Northeast? Download your free Northeast National Park Checklist HERE.
States of the Northeast
National Parks of the Northeast by State
Connecticut
Connecticut doesn’t have any National Parks, but it does have two NPS units.
Other National Park Units in Connecticut
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail
- Weir Farm National Historical Park
Learn more about the Connecticut National Parks.
Delaware
Delaware doesn’t have any National Parks, but it does have one NPS unit.
Fun Fact: Delaware was the first state in the United States, but they were the last to get a National Park Service Unit.
Other National Park Units in Delaware
- First State National Historical Park
Learn more about the Delaware National Parks.
District of Columbia
District of Columbia doesn’t have any National Parks, but it does have twenty-six NPS units.
Other National Park Units in the District of Columbia
- Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
- Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site
- Constitution Gardens
- Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial
- Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site
- Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial
- Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
- George Washington Memorial Parkway
- Korean War Veterans Memorial
- Lincoln Memorial
- Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove on the Potomac
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
- Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site
- National Capital Parks
- National Mall
- Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site
- Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
- Rock Creek Park
- Theodore Roosevelt Island
- Thomas Jefferson Memorial
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial
- Washington Monument
- White House and President’s Park
- World War I Memorial
- World War II Memorial
Learn more about the District of Columbia National Parks.
Planning to explore the Northeast? Download your free Northeast National Park Checklist HERE.
Maine
Maine has one National Park and three National Park Service units.
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is a gem tucked away on the rugged coast of Maine. The park is a wonderland where the mountains meet the sea. Rocky beaches meld into dense forests and hiking trails lead to stunning views. There are a range of outdoor recreation opportunities from thrilling hikes to a leisurely drive along the scenic Park Loop Road. You’ll be exploring ancestral land where Wabanaki people made use of both sea life as well as the natural resources found on drylands before Euro-American settlers arrived.
For wildlife lovers, Acadia is a paradise with chances to spot an array of bird species as well as deer and moose. And if you’re a fan of stargazing, the park’s dark skies provide a dazzling display of constellations with a possibility of Northern Lights.
Other National Park Units in Maine
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail
- Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
- Saint Croix Island International Historic Site
Learn more about the Maine National Parks.
Maryland
Maryland doesn’t have any National Parks, but it does have sixteen NPS units.
Other National Park Units in Maryland
Here are the Maryland Units within the Northeast Region:
- Antietam National Battlefield
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
- Catoctin Mountain Park
- Clara Barton National Historic Site
- Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
- Fort Washington Park
- George Washington Memorial Parkway
- Greenbelt Park
- Hampton National Historic Site
- Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park
- Monocacy National Battlefield
- Piscataway Park
- Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
- Thomas Stone National Historic Site
Here are the Maryland Units within the Southeast Region:
- Assateague Island National Seashore
- Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Learn more about the Maryland National Parks.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts doesn’t have any National Parks, but it does have sixteen NPS units.
Other National Park Units in Massachusetts
- Adams National Historical Park
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail
- Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
- Boston African American National Historic Site
- Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
- Boston National Historical Park
- Cape Cod National Seashore
- Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site
- John F. Kennedy National Historic Site
- Longfellow House–Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site
- Lowell National Historical Park
- Minute Man National Historical Park
- New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
- Salem Maritime National Historic Site
- Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site
- Springfield Armory National Historic Site
Learn more about the Massachusetts National Parks.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire doesn’t have any National Parks, but it does have two NPS units.
Other National Park Units in New Hampshire
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail
- Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park
Learn more about the New Hampshire National Parks.
Planning to explore the Northeast? Download your free Northeast National Park Checklist HERE.
New Jersey
New Jersey doesn’t have any National Parks, but it does have nine NPS units.
Other National Park Units in New Jersey
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
- Gateway National Recreation Area
- Great Egg Harbor Scenic and Recreational River
- Delaware National Scenic River
- The exact name, designation, and location of this unit are unclear. Different names are used within NPS sources, and no map is provided. Some sources list this unit as Middle Delaware National Scenic River. It is also possible this unit is named Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River. For this list, we have gone with the name used on the About Us National Park System Page nps.gov.
- Morristown National Historical Park
- Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
- Statue of Liberty National Monument
- Ellis Island
- Thomas Edison National Historical Park
Learn more about the New Jersey National Parks.
New York
New York doesn’t have any National Parks, but it does have twenty-five NPS units.
Other National Park Units in New York
Here are the New York Units within the Northeast Region:
- African Burial Ground National Monument
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail
- Castle Clinton National Monument
- Delaware National Scenic River
- The exact name, designation, and location of this unit are unclear. Different names are used within NPS sources, and no map is provided. Some sources list this unit as Middle Delaware National Scenic River. It is also possible this unit is named Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River. For this list, we have gone with the name used on the About Us National Park System Page nps.gov.
- Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site
- Federal Hall National Memorial
- Fire Island National Seashore
- Fort Stanwix National Monument
- Gateway National Recreation Area
- General Grant National Memorial
- Governors Island National Monument
- Hamilton Grange National Memorial
- Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
- Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site
- Martin Van Buren National Historic Site
- Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
- Saint Paul’s Church National Historic Site
- Saratoga National Historical Park
- Statue of Liberty National Monument
- Ellis Island
- Stonewall National Monument
- Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site
- Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
- Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site
- Women’s Rights National Historical Park
Here are the New York Units within the Midwest Region:
- North Country National Scenic Trail
Learn more about the New York National Parks.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania doesn’t have any National Parks, but it does have twenty NPS units.
Other National Park Units in Pennsylvania
Here are the Pennsylvania Units within the Northeast Region:
- Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail
- Delaware National Scenic River
- The exact name, designation, and location of this unit are unclear. Different names are used within NPS sources, and no map is provided. Some sources list this unit as Middle Delaware National Scenic River. It is also possible this unit is named Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River. For this list we have gone with the name used on the About Us National Park System Page nps.gov.
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
- Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site
- Eisenhower National Historic Site
- First State National Historical Park
- Flight 93 National Memorial
- Fort Necessity National Battlefield
- Friendship Hill National Historic Site
- Gettysburg National Military Park
- Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site
- Independence National Historical Park
- Johnstown Flood National Memorial
- Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
- Steamtown National Historic Site
- Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
- Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River
- Valley Forge National Historical Park
Here are the Pennsylvania Units within the Midwest Region:
- North Country National Scenic Trail
Learn more about the Pennsylvania National Parks.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island doesn’t have any National Parks, but it does have two NPS units.
Other National Park Units in Rhode Island
- Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
- Roger Williams National Memorial
Learn more about the Rhode Island National Parks.
Vermont
Vermont doesn’t have any National Parks, but it does have three NPS units.
Other National Park Units in Vermont
Here are the Vermont Units within the Northeast Region:
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail
- Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park
Here are the Vermont Units within the Midwest Region:
- North Country National Scenic Trail
Learn more about the Vermont National Parks.
Planning to explore the Northeast? Download your free Northeast National Park Checklist HERE.
List of the National Parks in the Northeast by Unit
National Parks of the Northeast
- Acadia National Park (ME)
National Monuments of the Northeast
- African Burial Ground National Monument (NY)
- Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument (DC)
- Castle Clinton National Monument (NY)
- Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine (MD)
- Fort Stanwix National Monument (NY)
- Governors Island National Monument (NY)
- Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument (ME)
- Statue of Liberty National Monument (NJ, NY)
- Stonewall National Monument (NY)
- Washington Monument (DC)
National Historical Parks of the Northeast
- Adams National Historical Park (MA)
- Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park (MA, RI)
- Boston National Historical Park (MA)
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (DC, MD, WV)
- First State National Historical Park (DE, PA)
- Harriet Tubman National Historical Park (NY)
- Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park (MD)
- Independence National Historical Park (PA)
- Lowell National Historical Park (MA)
- Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park (VT)
- Minute Man National Historical Park (MA)
- Morristown National Historical Park (NJ)
- New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (MA)
- Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park (NJ)
- Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park (NH)
- Saratoga National Historical Park (NY)
- Thomas Edison National Historical Park (NJ)
- Valley Forge National Historical Park (PA)
- Women’s Rights National Historical Park (NY)
- Weir Farm National Historical Park (CT)
National Historic Sites of the Northeast
- Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site (PA)
- Boston African American National Historic Site (MA)
- Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site (DC)
- Clara Barton National Historic Site (MD)
- Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site (PA)
- Eisenhower National Historic Site (PA)
- Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site (NY)
- Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site (DC)
- Frederick Douglass National Historic Site (DC)
- Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site (MA)
- Friendship Hill National Historic Site (PA)
- Hampton National Historic Site (MD)
- Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site (NY)
- Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site (PA)
- John F. Kennedy National Historic Site (MA)
- Longfellow House–Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site (MA)
- Martin Van Buren National Historic Site (NY)
- Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site (DC)
- Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site (DC)
- Sagamore Hill National Historic Site (NY)
- Saint Paul’s Church National Historic Site (NY)
- Salem Maritime National Historic Site (MA)
- Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site (MA)
- Springfield Armory National Historic Site (MA)
- Steamtown National Historic Site (PA)
- Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site (NY)
- Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site (NY)
- Thomas Stone National Historic Site (MD)
- Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site (NY)
International Historic Sites of the Northeast
- Saint Croix Island International Historic Site
National Battlefields of the Northeast
- Antietam National Battlefield (MD)
- Fort Necessity National Battlefield (PA)
- Monocacy National Battlefield (MD)
National Military Parks of the Northeast
- Gettysburg National Military Park (PA)
National Memorials of the Northeast
- Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial (DC)
- Federal Hall National Memorial (NY)
- Flight 93 National Memorial (PA)
- Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial (DC)
- General Grant National Memorial (NY)
- Hamilton Grange National Memorial (NY)
- Johnstown Flood National Memorial (PA)
- Korean War Veterans Memorial (DC)
- Lincoln Memorial (DC)
- Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove on the Potomac (DC)
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (DC)
- Roger Williams National Memorial (RI)
- Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial (PA)
- Thomas Jefferson Memorial (DC)
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial (DC)
- World War I Memorial (DC)
- World War II Memorial (DC)
National Recreation Areas of the Northeast
- Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area (MA)
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (NJ, PA)
- Gateway National Recreation Area (NJ, NY)
National Seashores of the Northeast
- Cape Cod National Seashore (MA)
- Fire Island National Seashore (NY)
National Rivers of the Northeast
- Delaware National Scenic River (NJ, NY, PA)
- Great Egg Harbor Scenic and Recreational River (NJ)
- Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River (PA)
National Parkways of the Northeast
- George Washington Memorial Parkway (DC, MD, VA)
National Trails of the Northeast
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail (CT, GA, MD, MA, NH, NC, PA, TN, VT, VA, WV)
- Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (DC, MD, PA, VA)
Other Designations of the Northeast
- Catoctin Mountain Park (MD)
- Constitution Gardens (DC)
- Fort Washington Park (MD)
- Greenbelt Park (MD)
- National Capital Parks (DC)
- National Mall (DC)
- Piscataway Park (MD)
- Rock Creek Park (DC)
- Theodore Roosevelt Island (DC)
- White House and President’s Park (DC)
Associated Units of the Northeast
Associated International Parks of the Northeast
- Roosevelt Campobello International Park (ME)
Associated National Trails of the Northeast
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail (DC, DE, MD, NY, PA, VA)
- New England National Scenic Trail (CT, MA)
- North Country National Scenic Trail (NY, PA)
- Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail (DC, MD, VA)
- Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail (CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA)
National Heritage Areas of the Northeast
- Baltimore National Heritage Area (MD)
- Crossroads to the American Revolution National Heritage Area (NJ)
- Essex National Heritage Area (MA)
- Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area (NY)
- Niagara Falls National Heritage Area (NY)
- Oild Region National Heritage Area (PA)
- Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area (PA)
- Schuylkill River Valley National Heritage Area (PA)
National Heritage Corridors of the Northeast
- Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (PA)
- Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor (NY)
- John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor (MA, RI)
- The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor (CT, MA)
National Reserves of the Northeast
- New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve (NJ)
Associated National Historic Sites of the Northeast
- Gloria Dei Church National Historic Site (PA)
- Lower East Side Tenement Museum National Historic Site (NY)
- Thomas Cole National Historic Site (NY)
- Touro Synagogue National Historic Site (RI)
Associated National Rivers of the Northeast
- Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River (NJ, PA)
Associated Memorials of the Northeast
- African American Civil War Memorial (DC)
Other Associated Units of the Northeast
- Anacostia Park (DC)
- Chesapeake Bay Gateway Network (DC, DE, MD, NY, PA, VA, WV)
- Civil War Defenses of Washington (DC, MD, VA)
- Fort Dupont Park (DC)
- Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens (DC)
- Maine Acadian Culture (ME)
Final Thoughts of the National Parks of the Northeast
I hope you have learned a little bit about the National Parks of the Northeast and are ready to get out and explore the Northeastern National Parks. If you are interested in the National Parks of other regions, click below;
- Midwest National Parks
- Rockies National Parks
- Southeast National Parks
- Southwest National Parks
- West Coast National Parks
Pin for later: Northeast National Parks
Jennifer Melroy
Hi, I'm Jennifer!
Welcome to the wonderful world of National Parks. I'm here to help you plan your NEXT amazing adventure through the United States National Parks and beyond. I want the national parks to be accessible to all.
I live in Tennessee, and when I'm home, you can find me hiking in the Smokies and the Cumberland Plateau.
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Last Updated on 22 Dec 2023 by Jennifer Melroy