East Coast National Parks Adventure – 6 Days

Day 1: Arrival & Acadia National Park

Morning: Fly into Portland International Jetport and pick up your rental car. Drive the scenic 3‑hour route to Acadia National Park and check into a cozy B&B in Bar Harbor.

Afternoon: Explore the iconic Park Loop Road, stopping at Thunder Hole, Otter Cliffs, and the historic Jordan Pond House for a quick tea.

Evening: Stroll the charming streets of Bar Harbor, enjoy fresh lobster at a waterfront restaurant, and rest up for a full day of hiking.

Day 2: Acadia National Park – Highlights

Morning: Hike the breathtaking Beehive Trail for panoramic views of the Atlantic and surrounding islands.

Afternoon: Bike the historic Carriage Roads or take a leisurely walk along the shoreline at Sand Beach.

Evening: Return to Bar Harbor for a sunset cruise around Frenchman Bay, spotting seals and seabirds.

Day 3: Travel to Shenandoah National Park

Morning: Depart early, drive to Portland Airport and catch a flight to Washington Dulles. Pick up a second rental car and head west to Shenandoah National Park.

Afternoon: Drive the legendary Skyline Drive, stopping at overlooks like Hazel Mountain and Stony Man for photo ops.

Evening: Check into a rustic lodge near the park entrance, then enjoy a hearty Appalachian dinner.

Day 4: Shenandoah to Great Smoky Mountains

Morning: Hike the easy Dark Hollow Falls Trail, marveling at the cascading waterfall.

Afternoon: Return to the lodge, drive to Dulles Airport, and fly to Knoxville, Tennessee. Pick up a rental car and drive to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Evening: Settle into a cabin in Gatlinburg, then explore the bustling downtown and sample local BBQ.

Day 5: Great Smoky Mountains – Exploration

Morning: Walk the historic Cades Cove Loop, spotting elk, black bears, and historic homesteads.

Afternoon: Hike to the stunning Clingmans Dome observation tower for 360° views of the Appalachian range.

Evening: Attend a traditional Appalachian music session in a local tavern before returning to your cabin.

Day 6: Congaree & Everglades – Final Highlights

Morning: Fly from Knoxville to Columbia, South Carolina, and drive to Congaree National Park. Take a guided paddle tour through the unique floodplain forest.

Afternoon: Catch a short flight from Columbia to Miami and head straight to the Everglades National Park. Experience an airboat ride to see alligators and mangrove islands.

Evening: Depart from Miami International Airport or extend your stay in sunny South Florida.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Acadia National Park – 6 hours, $30 entrance fee
• Shenandoah National Park – 4 hours, $30 entrance fee
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park – 8 hours, free entry
• Congaree National Park – 3 hours, $15 entrance fee
• Everglades National Park – 4 hours, $30 entrance fee
• Domestic flights (Portland‑D.C., D.C.–Knoxville, Knoxville‑Columbia‑Miami) – $450 total
• Car rentals (5 days) – $250
• Accommodations (5 nights) – $600
• Total Estimated Cost: $1,405

Tips

If you need more time at any park, consider dropping either Congaree or Everglades and adding an extra night in the remaining locations. Conversely, you can reduce travel fatigue by focusing on the northern trio—Acadia, Shenandoah, and Great Smoky Mountains—and extending each stay to three days, which cuts flight costs and simplifies logistics.