United States · 14 days · 3,200 km · One-way
US East Coast — 6 national parks in 14 days
Tour of 6 East Coast national parks: Everglades (crocs and mangroves), Biscayne (95% water, reef snorkelling), Congaree (old-growth cypress), Great Smoky Mountains (most-visited US park), New River Gorge (Class III-V rafting), Shenandoah (105-mile Skyline Drive). Based on Cruise America.
Highlights
- Anhinga Trail (Everglades, wildlife guaranteed)
- Shark Valley observation tower
- Coral reef snorkelling in Biscayne
- Boca Chita Key boat tour
- Boardwalk Loop at Congaree
- Cedar Creek canoe (cypress)
- Cades Cove Loop (bears and deer)
- Clingmans Dome (3rd highest peak east of Mississippi)
- Whitewater rafting at New River
- Bridge Walk under New River Gorge Bridge
- Skyline Drive (105 miles in altitude)
- Hawksbill Mountain (Shenandoah summit)
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 1
Miami → Everglades NP
Miami → Flamingo · 100 km
- · Anhinga Trail
- · Sunset ranger talk
Overnight: Flamingo Campground
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Day 2
Everglades — full day
Flamingo · 80 km
- · Kayak through mangroves
- · Shark Valley bike loop
Overnight: Flamingo Campground
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Day 3
Everglades → Biscayne NP
Flamingo → Homestead · 80 km
- · Boat tour to Boca Chita Key
- · Coral reef snorkelling
- · Kayak the bay
Overnight: Homestead Miami Speedway RV Park
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Day 4
Florida → Georgia (travel day)
Homestead → Brunswick · 750 km
- · I-95 north
Overnight: Northern Florida / Georgia RV park
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Day 5
Georgia → Congaree NP (South Carolina)
Brunswick → Hopkins · 540 km
- · Boardwalk Loop Trail
- · Stargazing
Overnight: Longleaf Campground
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Day 6
Congaree — canoe day
Hopkins · 30 km
- · Cedar Creek canoe (cypress)
- · Ranger-led programs
Overnight: Longleaf Campground
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Day 7
Congaree → Great Smoky Mountains
Hopkins → Cherokee · 470 km
- · Newfound Gap drive
- · Laurel Falls / Grotto Falls
Overnight: Smokemont Campground
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Day 8
Smokies — Cades Cove
Cherokee → Gatlinburg · 100 km
- · Cades Cove Loop
- · Historic cabins
- · Clingmans Dome
Overnight: Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA
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Day 9
Smokies → New River Gorge
Gatlinburg → Fayetteville · 540 km
- · Endless Wall Trail
- · Long Point at sunset
Overnight: Adventures on the Gorge Campground
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Day 10
New River — rafting
Fayetteville · 30 km
- · Whitewater rafting (Class III-V)
- · Bridge Walk
Overnight: Adventures on the Gorge Campground
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Day 11
New River → Shenandoah NP
Fayetteville → Skyland · 410 km
- · Skyline Drive entry
- · Lookouts and short hikes
Overnight: Big Meadows Campground
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Day 12
Shenandoah — Hawksbill
Skyland · 60 km
- · Hawksbill Mountain hike
- · Dark Hollow Falls
- · Stargazing
Overnight: Big Meadows Campground
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Day 13
Shenandoah → Washington DC
Skyland → Washington DC · 180 km
- · National Mall
- · Smithsonian (free)
Overnight: Cherry Hill Park (College Park, MD)
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Day 14
Washington DC — drop-off
Washington DC · 30 km
- · Monument tour
- · RV drop-off