When you think of national parks, beautiful mountains, expansive forests, and amazing wildlife, it’s natural to think of the west. In fact, most national parks and forests are west of the Mississippi River. However, there are also some amazing parks and forests in the northeastern United States. You don’t have to miss out on amazing nature and recreational opportunities just because you live on the east coast.
Of the 63 national parks only one, Acadia National Park is located in the northeast. By northeast, we use the census designation, which includes Pennsylvania and New Jersey in the south up through Maine. In addition to Acadia, you’ll find a handful of national forests and recreation areas where you can hike, bike, kayak, ski, hunt and fish within a day’s drive of some of the nation’s biggest cities. And many of the activities are absolutely free. Whether you’re in Boston, New York or Philadelphia, you can pack up the car, drive a few hours and experience nature in these great places.
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park has the distinction of being the only national park in the Northeast and the first east of the Mississippi River. Cadillac Mountain, the highest peak on the East Coast, highlights the park which is situated almost entirely on Maine’s Mount Desert Island.
Established in 1916, the park is one of the most popular in the system. A rocky, picturesque coastline gives way to numerous granite mountains, lakes, ponds, and forests in a diverse habitat. Bears, moose, and seabirds (among others) call the park home. You can also visit the beach or get there early to see the earliest sunrise in the continental United States. The summer is short, and the crowds can be large, so make sure to plan your trip far in advance.
Costs and Fees
Fees for Acadia National Park are listed below. For $80, you can also buy an America the Beautiful Pass, which will give you entrance to all national parks and more than 2,000 federal recreation sites.
Best Time to Go
For the best weather, visit the park between late spring and the fall. You will, of course, find the worst crowds in the high summer months. July and August see the most park visitors.
To avoid the crowds and still enjoy some decent weather, try visiting after Labor Day until the end of September. Park attendance drops about 20% from August to September, with a big drop after Labor Day.
Year-Round Temperatures
Average monthly high temperatures range from an average of 79.9℉ (36℃) in June to 32.5℉ (.3 ℃) in January.
Top 3 “Must See”
Have limited time, or just looking for some guidance on the best way to spend your time in the park? Here are our Top 3 “Must See” attraction in the park.
VISIT CADILLAC MOUNTAIN
The tallest part of the park is on Cadillac Mountain. Standing at about 1,500 feet, the granite-topped mountain has little vegetation, which allows for stunning views of the park and Bar Harbor. It’s also the first spot to see the sun rise in the continental US. Arriving at sunrise is a popular activity, so give yourself plenty of time for it. You can spend hours traversing over the rocks and taking in the views and taking pictures. You can drive up to the top, although you should be prepared for crowds during the summer and at sunrise.
DRIVE THE PARK LOOP ROAD
The Park Loop Road is a 27 mile road that runs around the park and will allow you to stop at some of the park’s major sights. It’s one way for some of the road. Along the way, you can see Thunder Hole, Sand Beach and Otter Cliff. Start at Hulls Cove Visitor Center. Overcrowding can be a constant problem in the park, so be prepared to encounter cars and pedestrians along the way, depending on when you go.
VISIT JORDAN POND
Jordan Pond is a clear glacial pond right off Park Loop Road. It reaches a maximum depth of about 150 feet. It’s a nice change of pace from coastline that dominates the rest of the park. You can take the Jordan Pond Nature Trail to reach it easily. Nearby you can also check out the Jordan Pond House, the only full-service restaurant in the park. You can stop in for a quick bite or a full meal while enjoying the scenic views.
Here are the distances and drive times from a few cities
| City | Driving Distance | Drive Time |
| Boston | 280 miles (450km) | 4:30 |
| New York | 485 miles (413km) | 8:00 |
| Philadelphia | 576 miles (927km) | 9:20 |
| Providence | 325 miles (523km) | 5:15 |
| Hartford | 371 miles (597km) | 5:45 |
| Pittsburgh | 842 miles (1355km) | 13:40 |
| Portland | 170 miles (273km) | 2:45 |
| Buffalo | 727 miles (1170km) | 11:30 |
Finger Lakes National Forest – New York
Finger Lakes National Forest is about 16,000 acres of forest on a ridge between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes in New York’s Finger Lakes region. It’s a land of ravines, gorges, and woodlands.
The recreational opportunities in Finger Lakes National Forest are almost unlimited. Any time of year you can camp, hike, ski, fish, hunt, horseback ride and more. In the spring, you can experience the birds and wildflowers, the summer is great for camping, hiking, and bike riding. The forest has over 30 miles of interconnecting trails.
Fall is a great time to take see the foliage as well. You’ll find amazing colors on the trees and brisk but manageable temperatures. It’s also a great time to camp in the park.
The winter sees fewer visitors and the visiting the forest can sometimes mean cold temperatures and large snowfalls. Notwithstanding that, it’s an amazing place for cross-country skiing, ice fishing and snowmobiles.
Admission to the forest is free. There are three small, primitive campgrounds available in the forest. Costs range from $15-$20 per night. There are no cabins for rent. Backcountry and dispersed camping is also permitted and is free. See the forest’s website for restrictions.
There are also several areas where you can fish without additional cost. Anyone over 16 will need to have a valid New York State fishing license. 1-day, 7-day and annual licenses are available. Fees are higher for non-residents and certain other exemptions and discounts apply. You can get more information about a fishing license at the State’s website.
Here is a summary of distances to the park.
| City | Driving Distance | Drive Time |
| Boston | 354 miles (569km) | 6:20 |
| New York | 257 miles (413km) | 4:30 |
| Philadelphia | 256 miles (412km) | 4:30 |
| Providence | 349 miles (561km) | 6:00 |
| Hartford | 297 miles (478km) | 5:05 |
| Pittsburgh | 328 miles (527km) | 5:05 |
| Portland | 453 miles (729km) | 7:30 |
| Buffalo | 141 miles (227km) | 2:20 |
Allegheny National Forest – Pennsylvania
Allegheny National Forest is about 517,000 acres of forest in northwestern Pennsylvania. It sits at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Here you’ll find hills and valleys and opportunities to explore and experience the Allegheny River.
The recreational opportunities in Allegheny National Forest include hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, horseback riding, OHV riding and more. The forest has over 100 miles of trails. For a great hiking experience, try the Rimrock Overlook Trail. It’s about 2.6 miles roundtrip. When you get to the overlook, you’ll have amazing, expansive views of the river and valley below.
Allegheny National Forest is also a great place for fall foliage. In the fall the forest is ablaze in red, yellow, and orange hues. For an up-close experience, drive the Longhouse National Scenic Byway. The 27-mile loop goes around a portion of the Allegheny Reservoir. USA Today selected it as one of the top 50 scenic drives in America.
The winter is also a great time to visit the forest. There are less people, but there’s also a chance for some fun winter activities. You’ll find plenty of opportunities for ice fishing, cross-country, camping, snowshoeing, skiing, and snowmobiling.
Admission to the forest is free. There are many different options for camping in the forest. They range from relatively primitive campgrounds, to established campgrounds, to cabins to RV sites with full hookups. Costs vary depending on the type of site. You’ll want to make reservations at recreation.gov in advance. There are no cabins for rent. Backcountry camping is also permitted and is free. See the forest’s website for restrictions.
There are also several areas where you can fish without additional cost. Anyone 16 years old and up will need to have a valid Pennsylvania fishing license. There are several different types of licenses for varying length. Fees for all of these vary. Fees are higher for non-residents and certain other exemptions and discounts apply. You can get more information about a fishing license at the State’s website.
Here are the distances and drive times from a few cities.
| City | Driving Distance | Drive Time |
| Boston | 354 miles (569km) | 6:20 |
| New York | 257 miles (413km) | 4:30 |
| Philadelphia | 256 miles (412km) | 4:30 |
| Providence | 349 miles (561km) | 6:00 |
| Hartford | 297 miles (478km) | 5:05 |
| Pittsburgh | 328 miles (527km) | 5:05 |
| Portland | 453 miles (729km) | 7:30 |
| Buffalo | 84 miles (135km) | 1:30 |
White Mountain National Forest – New Hampshire and Maine
Straddling the border of New Hampshire and Maine, White Mountain National Forest boasts the best mountain environment and scenery in the northeast. White Mountain National Forest consists of about 750,000 acres of woodland and alpine forests. It’s an easy drive from most places in the northeast, making it one of the most popular destinations for summer and winter fun.
The recreational opportunities in White Mountain National Forest include hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, horseback riding and more. The forest has over 1,200 miles of trails. It is one of the most visited outdoor recreation areas in the northeast. It is also one of the premier skiing destinations east of the Mississippi River. Over 1 million visitors visit the eight ski areas annually. The ski areas also provide a number of summer activities.
The area is also known as one of the premier spots in the country for viewing fall foliage. People flock to the mountains for amazing vistas of red, yellow, and orange forests. If you’re staying there, during that time, you’ll want to reserve your spot in advance.
Admission to the forest is free. There are many different options for camping in the forest. They range from relatively primitive campgrounds, to established campgrounds, to cabins to tent sites. The forest has 23 campgrounds in total. Costs vary depending on the type of site. You’ll want to make reservations at recreation.gov in advance. Backcountry and dispersed camping is also permitted and is free. See the forest’s website for restrictions.
There are also several areas where you can fish in the forest. Over 90% of the forest is in New Hampshire. Anyone 16 years old and up will need to have a valid New Hampshire fishing license to fish in the park. There are several different types of licenses for varying length. Fees for all of these vary. Fees are higher for non-residents and certain other exemptions and discounts apply. You can get more information about a fishing license at the State’s website.
For a unique experience, don’t forget to visit Mt. Washington. It is advertised as having the world’s worst weather. Although it’s only 6,288 feet high, it is the highest peak in the White Mountains. And due to the topography of the area and the convergence of three weather patterns, it can have extreme temperatures and wind any time of year. In fact, the highest temperature ever recorded at the summit is only 72 degrees Fahrenheit. During the winter, you can expect hurricane force winds, snow and conditions rivaling those on Mount Everest. The highest wind speed ever recorded is 231 miles per hour. In the summer, you can get to the top by hiking, driving or by train.
Here are the distances and drive times from a few cities.
| City | Driving Distance | Drive Time |
| Boston | 128 miles (206km) | 2:10 |
| New York | 309 miles (497km) | 5:25 |
| Philadelphia | 392 miles (631km) | 6:40 |
| Providence | 177 miles (285km) | 3:00 |
| Hartford | 185 miles (298km) | 3:00 |
| Pittsburgh | 629 miles (1070km) | 10:35 |
| Portland | 63 miles (101km) | 1:30 |
| Buffalo | 458 miles (737km) | 7:25 |
Green Mountain National Forest – Vermont
Green Mountain National Forest is about 399,000 acres of forest in Vermont. Here you’ll find rugged mountains and secluded wilderness. The rolling hills and mountains are home to a variety of diverse wildlife, including moose.
The recreational opportunities in Green Mountain National Forest include hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, horseback riding more. The forest has hundreds of miles of trails. In the winter, the park has plenty of opportunities for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, dog sledding and downhill skiing.
In the fall, it is a popular spot for seeing some of the best foliage in America. People flock to the mountains for amazing vistas of red, yellow and orange forests. If you’re staying there, during that time, you’ll want to reserve your spot in advance.
Admission to the forest is free. There are many different options for camping in the forest. They range from relatively primitive campgrounds, to established campgrounds, to cabins to RV sites. Costs vary depending on the type of site. You’ll want to make reservations at recreation.gov in advance. Backcountry camping and dispersed camping is also permitted and is free. See the forest’s website for restrictions.
There are also several areas where you can fish without additional cost. Anyone 15 years old and up will need to have a valid Vermont fishing license. There are several different types of licenses for varying length. Fees for all of these vary. Fees are higher for non-residents and certain other exemptions and discounts apply. You can get more information about a fishing license at the State’s website.
Moosalamoo National Recreation Area
Encompassing almost 16,000 acres in the Green Mountain National Forest, the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area has 70 miles of trails and is one of the premier recreation areas in the northeast. In addition to hiking, you’ll find plenty of great opportunities for biking, birding, fishing, and year-round activities. You’ll also find 19 campsites at the Moosalamoo Campground. The tent sites are $15 per night and can be reserved at recreation.gov.
Robert T. Stafford White Rocks National Recreation Area
Robert T. Stafford White Rocks National Recreation Area encompasses roughly 23,000 acres in the Green Mountain National Forest. Here you can hike along part of the Appalachian Trail, among other trails. In addition to hiking, you’ll find plenty of great opportunities for biking, birding, fishing and winter activities including skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. There are also plenty of camping opportunities, from primitive campground to cabins to RV parks. Backcountry and dispersed camping is also available.
Here are the distances and drive times from a few cities.
| City | Driving Distance | Drive Time |
| Boston | 153 miles (246km) | 3:10 |
| New York | 239 miles (385km) | 4:30 |
| Philadelphia | 319 miles (513km) | 5:30 |
| Providence | 162 miles (260km) | 3:30 |
| Hartford | 150 miles (241km) | 2:40 |
| Pittsburgh | 546 miles (878km) | 9:00 |
| Portland | 194 miles (312km) | 3:40 |
| Buffalo | 374 miles (602km) | 6:00 |
Just because you’re on the east coast, you don’t have to miss out on some amazing natural beauty and great recreation. Flying out west can be expensive and time-consuming. With these national parks and forests, you can take just a few days or a weekend and get back to nature with just a short drive.
