Closest first
Straight-line miles from the city center; drive times are rough estimates. Open the app for parks near wherever you are right now.
- 1 Great Smoky Mountains · Tennessee · 800+ trails · Free55 mi · ~1 hr drive
- 2 Congaree · South Carolina · 25+ trails · Free160 mi · ~3.5 hr drive
- 3 New River Gorge · West Virginia · 112+ trails · Free177 mi · ~3.5 hr drive
- 4 Mammoth Cave · Kentucky · 85+ trails · Free226 mi · ~4.5 hr drive
- 5 Shenandoah · Virginia · 500+ trails · $30 / vehicle306 mi · ~6.5 hr drive
- 6 Cuyahoga Valley · Ohio · 125+ trails · Free393 mi · ~8 hr drive
- 7 Gateway Arch · Missouri · 3+ trails · Free470 mi · ~10 hr drive
- 8 Indiana Dunes · Indiana · 50+ trails · Free483 mi · ~10 hr drive
Planning a trip from Asheville
Great Smoky Mountains, Congaree, New River Gorge, Mammoth Cave are realistic for a long weekend. Leave early Friday, and reserve campsites or lodging ahead in peak season.
Each park page covers popular trails, camping, entrance fees, and the best time to visit. In ParkAtlas, the home screen shows unvisited parks within reach of your current location and lets you log the one you pick.
Common questions
What is the closest national park to Asheville?
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, about 55 miles away (~1 hr drive).
Which national parks near Asheville work for a weekend trip?
Within roughly a six-hour drive: Great Smoky Mountains, Congaree, New River Gorge, Mammoth Cave.
How many national parks are within 500 miles of Asheville?
8 of the 63 U.S. national parks are within 500 miles of Asheville.