Hardeeville — Travelrags

OutsideJun 29, 2026

National Parks Out West Get All the Hype, but I Prefer Our Eastern Ones. Here’s Why.

Sure, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon are impressive, but our national parks columnist argues national parks in the East rival their popular counterparts out West when it comes to biodiversity, accessibility, and more.

21 things in this story

CongareePlace
Elsewhere
YellowstoneSightYellowstone National Park, United Stateswater is boiling and tie-dyed
Grand CanyonSightGrand Canyon Village, United Statescontemplated the insignificance of humankind
Angels LandingTrailSpringdale, United Stateshit by vertigo
Half DomeSightYosemite Valley, United Statesawestruck at the sheer size of the rock
Great Smoky MountainsPlaceGatlinburg, United StatesThey are a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains and form part of the Blue Ridge Physiographic Province.
Denali National ParkPlaceDenali, United Statestallest mountain in the U.S.
El CapSightYosemite Valley, United Statestallest vertical rock face in the world
Crater Lake National ParkPlaceCrater Lake, United Statesdeepest lake in the U.S.
Great Smoky Mountains National ParkPlaceGatlinburg, United Statesbiodiverse regions, black bears and massive elk
Sequoia National ParkPlaceThree Rivers, United Statessheer volume of the trees is awesome
Shenandoah National ParkPlaceLuray, United Stateshardwood forest painted red, yellow, and orange
GSMNPPlaceGatlinburg, United Statessynchronous fireflies coordinate their light show
Appalachian TrailTrailGatlinburg, United Statesmost famous footpath in the world
Blue Ridge ParkwaySightAsheville, United Stateslongest linear park in the country
AcadiaPlaceBar Harbor, United States
ShenandoahPlaceLuray, United States
New River GorgePlaceOak Hill, United States
EvergladesPlaceHomestead, United States
BiscaynePlaceHomestead, United States
Dry TortugasPlaceKey West, United States

Read the full piece at Outside →