The U.S. system of national parks consists of more than 60 parks operated by the National Park Service. The parks were established to preserve and maintain a wide variety of habitats and ecosystems all around the country. Every year, they welcome millions of visitors looking to escape big city life and reconnect with nature. Twenty-nine U.S. states and two U.S. territories contain officially designated national parks. This article, part of a series on U.S. national parks divided up by region, focuses on parks in the northeast region of the country.
There’s a lower concentration of parks in the northeast than elsewhere, but the ones that do exist are definitely worth a visit. Acadia National Park in Maine offers a coastal vibe. Shenandoah National Park in Virginia plunges travelers deep into the woods of the Appalachian Mountains. And Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio features a wide variety of activities and attractions across a slightly more settled and civilized area. Before you visit any of them—or all of them—make sure to purchase travel insurance and visitors insurance to protect yourself against any unexpected accidents or injuries that may occur.
Northeastern U.S. National Parks Travel Insurance
Before trekking into the wilderness of the northeastern United States, we suggest that you look into purchasing visitors insurance. Visitors insurance acts as short-term health insurance that covers instances ranging from emergency medical expenses to emergency medical evacuation / repatriation to, God forbid, return of mortal remains. We tend to recommend comprehensive coverage plans because they provide better benefits than fixed coverage plans. If you have any questions or need help picking the plan that best fits your needs, please don't hesitate to contact us.
For more information about national parks of the U.S., see the following links:
- Northeastern U.S. National Parks Travel Insurance
- Southeastern U.S. National Parks Travel Insurance
- Western U.S. National Parks Travel Insurance
- Midwest U.S. National Parks Travel Insurance
- Southwestern U.S. National Parks Travel Insurance
Northeastern U.S. National Parks to Explore
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park, located on the Atlantic coast of Maine, was established in 1916 as Sieur de Monts National Monument. It became Lafayette National Park in 1919, the first national park in the eastern United States, and gained its present name in 1929. The park consists of about half of Mount Desert Island, several of the nearby smaller islands, and part of the Schoodic Peninsula on the Maine coast.
Sites to see on Mount Desert Island include Cadillac Mountain, the tallest mountain on the eastern coastline and one of the first vantage points in the U.S. to watch the sunrise; Sand Beach, a cozy little swimming spot; and Sieur de Monts Spring, featuring the Nature Center and the Abbe Museum, which displays Native American artifacts. Isle au Haut offers activities like bicycling, hiking, day trips, the Duck Harbor Boat Landing, and ferry service between the island and the mainland. The Schoodic Peninsula is a popular biking and camping spot. The area also features the Frazer Point Picnic Area, offering tables, fire rings, comfort stations, and drinking water overlooking beautiful coastal views of coves and rocky beaches.
Acadia National Park offers a wide variety of activities for people of all ages. Ranger programs include guided bicycle tours and boat cruises. Outdoor activities range from birdwatching. leaf peeping, and tidepooling to boating, climbing, hiking, fishing, and horseback riding. If you're planning to participate in anything on the adventurous side, we'd recommend purchasing hazardous sports travel insurance as an extra safety net in case any accidents or incidents occur.
Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park, located in north Virginia, lies in the Blue Ridge portion of the Appalachian Mountains. The long, narrow park runs north to south, with the Shenandoah River to the west and the Virginia Piedmont hills to the east. Authorized in 1926, the park wasn't officially established until 1935.
The park's ecology consists mainly of heavily forested areas with hickory trees, oak trees, pine trees, and colorful swaths of wildflowers between spring and fall. Wildlife in the park includes deer, bears, foxes, squirrels, and a wide variety of birds.
One highlight of the park is Skyline Drive, a 105-mile highway that runs the length of the park and offers stunning views of the Shenandoah Valley to the west and the Piedmont to the east. As the main road through the park, it's also used for biking and horseback riding, and it provides access to hiking trails, campgrounds, visitor centers, and resorts and lodging throughout the park. The park does charge an entrance fee at all access points to the drive.
The park offers plenty of attractions and activities for visitors. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, a popular hiking route, runs roughly parallel to Skyline Drive throughout the park. There are more than 500 miles of hiking trails to enjoy. Fishing in one of more than 70 mountain streams is another popular draw, although fisherman must be careful to adhere to preservation regulations. There are numerous spots for backcountry camping. Other more passive activities include stargazing, wildlife viewing & photography, leaf peeping, and visiting informative, interactive exhibits around the park.
Various waysides throughout the park offer opportunities for dining, lodging, and nightly entertainment.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, located in northeastern Ohio, stretches along the Cuyahoga River between Akron and Cleveland. It was founded as a National Recreation Area in 1974 and gained National Park status in 2000. It's unique among American national parks in that it's located near two large cities and contains a bustling network of roads, small towns, city parks, and private businesses and attractions.
The park's ecology includes forests, hills, wetlands, rivers, and more than 100 waterfalls. The most visited waterfall is Brandywine Falls, which lies within easy walking distance of a parking area and stands as the park's tallest waterfall at 65 feet. More than 125 miles of hiking trails range from beginner to expert levels and pass through a variety of natural habitats. The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail is flat, paved, and provides scenic views for hikers and bicyclists alike. The trail has been known to flood, so check for updates regarding its accessibility. Several trails are also designated as horse trails, although there are no horse rental locations or guided tours provided.
The Cuyahoga River is a popular spot for canoeing and kayaking. Canoers or kayakers should bring their own equipment and be aware that the National Park Service does not maintain the river for recreational use. Fishing for steelhead trout and bullhead is another of the park's most popular draws. The park does encourage a catch-and-release policy to maintain the river's fish population.
Cuyahoga Valley also offers winter sports attractions like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, sledding, downhill skiing, and snow tubing. Again, if you're considering participating in any potentially hazardous activities, we recommend purchasing hazardous sports travel insurance to keep yourself covered.