7 Amazing East-Coast National Seashores
There are ten protected areas in the United States known as National Seashores. Seven of these are on the East Coast and all are bucket-list worthy. All of the National Seashores include beaches, but they often extend inland from the ocean to protect wetlands or other natural resources. So a visit can include more than boogie boarding or working on your tan.
Here are the seven, listed from north to south:
Cape Cod National Seashore
President Kennedy established the Cape Cod National Seashore in 1961 to protect 40 miles of Massachusetts seashore. In addition to beaches, the national seashore preserves space containing cranberry bogs, lighthouses and a variety of cultural artifacts.
Fire Island National Seashore
Fire Island National Seashore was established in 1964 to preserve the ecosystems of this barrier island in southeastern Long Island. There are no public roads through the seashore and much of the protected area is accessible only by boat.
Assateague Island National Seashore
This 37-mile-long barrier island straddles the Virginia/Maryland state lines. It is bordered in the east by the Atlantic Ocean and in the west by marshlands and waters. The island's three public areas are managed by the National Park Service, the Maryland Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Assateague Island is known for a variety of shore and wading birds like great egrets and brown pelicans. However, it is best known for the feral horses, known as Chincoteague ponies (or Assateague horses), that roam freely on the island.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
The seas off of Cape Hatteras were once known as the “graveyard of the Atlantic.” Because of this, there are hundreds of shipwrecks, remnants of the US Lifesaving Service and numerous historic lighthouses along the coast. These features combined with beaches, national landmarks and the regional maritime wildlife are a huge annual tourist draw.
This section of coastal outer banks became the country’s first National Seashore in 1958. The Cape Hatteras National Seashore is managed by the park service along with the Wright Brothers National Memorial and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site.
Cape Lookout National Seashore
The Cape Lookout National Seashore is a 56-mile long section of North Carolina’s outer banks. This stretch of seashore is best known for its historic villages, wild horses and the Cape Lookout Lighthouse. Congress awarded the status of National Seashore in 1966.
Cumberland Island National Seashore
The Cumberland Island National Seashore was created in 1972 in order to protect the biodiversity of the island. Cumberland Island can be reached only by boat. The ferry that runs three-times daily, does not transport pets, kayaks or cars. There are very few amenities on Cumberland Island and camping is limited to seven days.
Canaveral National Seashore
The Canaveral National Seashore was created in 1975 to preserve the barrier island and protect a number of threatened and endangered species. The seashore contains the longest undeveloped beach (24-miles) on Florida’s eastern coast.