Discover Exciting Journeys at These National Seashores: A Guide to Unforgettable Coastal Excursions
From the sandy shores of the Atlantic to the rugged cliffs of the Pacific, the United States boasts ten stunning National Seashores that offer a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural history, and recreational activities.
Located along the Atlantic Coast, Assateague Island National Seashore is renowned for its wild horses freely roaming the beach, providing a rare and captivating wildlife experience. Cape Hatteras National Seashore, situated in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, offers wide shores, historic piers, and sand dunes perfect for hang gliding, making it a family-friendly destination with wild coastal beauty.
Gulf Islands National Seashore, situated in the Florida-Pensacola area, offers pristine white beaches, quiet shorelines, preserved wetlands, and historic forts, catering to those seeking peaceful escapes and history buffs. Sandy Hook, a segment of Gateway National Recreation Area in New Jersey, is a barrier spit with expansive beaches, birdwatching, scenic trails, and historic sites like Fort Hancock and a 250-year-old lighthouse. Cape May National Seashore, America’s oldest seaside resort, offers expansive beaches, colourful Victorian architecture, and excellent birdwatching opportunities.
Moving towards the Gulf Coast, Fort De Soto Park offers calm waters, pristine white sands, scenic nature trails, and outstanding birdwatching, making it perfect for a tranquil nature day. The beaches near Naples, Marco Island, Everglades City in Southwest Florida offer a tropical feel with unique ecosystems, wildlife-rich waters, soft white sands, and clear waters year-round. Navarre Beach, located near Pensacola, Florida, features 12 miles of pristine white shoreline, known for stunning sunsets and a serene beach community atmosphere.
On the Pacific Coast, Pfeiffer Beach in California's Big Sur Coast is unique for its purple sand and the iconic Keyhole Arch rock formation, ideal for beachcombing and spectacular sunsets, though not suitable for swimming. Hanalei Bay in Kaua‘i, Hawaii, offers emerald cliffs, turquoise waters, a picturesque pier, calm vibes, and seasonal surfing, resembling a tropical postcard.
These seashores represent some of the most scenic, ecologically rich, and culturally significant coastal areas in the U.S., offering diverse experiences from wildlife viewing and historic exploration to tranquil relaxation and adventurous water sports.
Historically, Cumberland Island in Georgia was a gilded age playground for the Carnegie family and their fellow titans of industry, with ruins of Dungeness and the impressive Plum Orchard mansion still standing. Point Reyes National Seashore, located less than 2 hours north of San Francisco, offers an 80-mile tapestry of estuaries, bays, lagoons, and wildlife. Cape Cod National Seashore, stretching from Chatham to Provincetown in Massachusetts, is home to 370 species of shorebirds, making it a birder's paradise with 40 miles of pristine sandy beaches, marshes, ponds, and wild cranberry bogs.
National Seashores, federally appointed by Congress as coastal areas of natural and recreational significance, focus on the preservation of a coastline's natural values, while also providing water-oriented recreation and education. They are a part of the National Park Service, with a different designation than national parks, similar to national monuments or national forests.
Cumberland Island offers opportunities to explore ocean and estuaries, beaches and dunes, oak and pine forests, as well as salt marshes and freshwater wetland ecosystems. Cape Cod National Seashore does not offer camping, but nearby state campgrounds like Nickerson State Park and Wellfleet Hollow Campground can be reserved on Reserve America. Modern creatives can apply for artist residencies through nonprofits like thecompact.org in Cape Cod National Seashore.
National Seashores have rich, biodiverse environments that are critical to protecting coastal communities and ecosystems from extreme weather. They are not only stunning destinations for visitors but also essential for the conservation and preservation of our nation's coastlines.
- Visitors to Assateague Island National Seashore can capture breathtaking views of the wild horses roaming the beach through the lens of their binoculars, a perfect addition to their travel lifestyle.
- After an exciting day of biking and hang gliding at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, one can unwind by setting up a camp under the starry night sky, immersing further in the laid-back coastal lifestyle.
- On a tranquil trip to Fort De Soto Park, hikers can explore the scenic nature trails, catch glimpses of diverse wildlife, and enjoy the serene atmosphere, making it an ideal location for both adventurous travelers and those seeking a peaceful escape.
