National Parks near Atlanta, Georgia

There are a ton of amazing National Parks near Atlanta, Georgia! There are 25 National Park Sites within a 350-mile drive of Atlanta. You can easily do a day trip to one of these National Park Sites or spend a weekend exploring them. 

National Parks near Atlanta, Georgia

Do you have a favorite National Parks near Atlanta? There are so many amazing options to choose from.

We love that there are so many epic National Park Sites within 350 miles of Atlanta. You can easily do a day trip or long weekend to visit one of these parks.

Martin Luther King Jr National Historical Park is located in Atlanta, Georgia and a must visit park site! 

Martin Luther King Jr National Historical Park 

Distance from Atlanta- The park is located in Atlanta

Top Attractions - Visitor Center, Martin Luther Kings home, Ebenezer Baptist Church

Martin Luther King Jr National Historical Park is located in downtown Atlanta. The park is open year-round and offers the opportunity to learn more about Martin Luther King Jr.

The park protects and interprets sites that were connected to Martin Luther King Jr’s life. The visitor center is filled with exhibits and presentations about not only MLK Jr but also the American Civil Rights Movement.

Ebenezer Baptist Church located across the street from the visitor center is where Martin Luther King Jr’s father preached, where he was baptized and where he joined his father as a co-pastor in 1960.

The King Center is also across the street from the visitor center and includes exhibit’s about King’s life and work in Freedom Hall. This is the location of Mr. & Mrs. King’s gravesites, eternal flame, and reflecting pool.

Atlanta’s oldest surviving firehouse the 1894 Fire Station #6 is located down the street from the visitor center. Here you can see displays on the desegregation of the city’s fire department.

King Birth Home is located at 501 Auburn Avenue just down from the Visitor Center. This is the home where Martin Luther King Jr was born in 1929. He lived here until the age of 12. Tours are offered of the birth home but you will want to make sure to sign up for one as soon as you visit the visitor center. They are extremely popular and do fill up.

Lodging - There is no lodging within the park

Camping-  There is no camping within the park

Park Address -450 Auburn Avenue, NE, Atlanta, GA 30312

 

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area 

Distance from Atlanta- 18 miles

Top Attractions - Hiking trails, floating the Chattahoochee, and Fishing.

Chattahoochee River offers epic fishing, float trips, and relaxing by the water. There are 48 miles of river in the park with 15 land units for visitor use. 

Lodging - There is no lodging within the park.

Camping-  There is no camping within the park. 

Park Address -8800 Roberts Drive, Sandy Springs, GA 30350

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park 

Distance from Atlanta- 23 miles

Top Attractions - Hiking trails, park movie, museum, and living history programs.

Kennesaw Mountain NBP preserves a Civil War battleground of the Atlanta Campaign. The park is used enjoyed by both locals and visitors. 

There are over 22 miles of maintained trails in the park with interpretive panels. The park offers ranger led hikes to help learn more about the park and battlefield.

The park has been designated as a globally important bird area. Bring your binoculars and look for common and migrating birds while on the trails. 

Lodging - There is no lodging within the park 

Camping-  There is no camping within the park

Park Address - 900 Kennesaw Mountain Dr, Kennesaw, GA 30152

Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park 

Distance from Atlanta- 85 miles

Top Attractions - Hiking trails, Earth Lodge, Temple and Funeral Mounds. 

Visitors can walk into a Earth Lodge that was reconstructed by the CCC in the 1930s. Learn about the temple and funeral mounds found in the park. 

The park offers the opportunity to learn more about the Mississippians who lived here in the 10th century CE. 

Visitors can climb to the top of the Great Temple Mound and see epic views of the park. 

Lodging - There is no lodging within the park 

Camping-  There is no camping within the par

Park Address - 1207 Emery Hwy, Macon, GA 31217

Freedom Riders National Monument 

Distance from Atlanta- 91 miles

Top Attractions - Bus mural

Freedom Riders NM is a park in progress that is still under development.

Currently visitors can view the mural titled "Could You Get on the Bus" by artist Joseph Giri.

Next to the mural are interpretive panels talking about what happened to a group of Freedom Riders in Anniston, Alabama in May 1961. 

Lodging - There is no lodging within the park. 

Camping-  There is no camping within the park. 

Park Address - 1031 Gurnee Ave, Anniston, AL 36201

Horseshoe Bend National Military Park 

Distance from Atlanta- 108 miles

Top Attractions - Auto tour of battlefields.

On March 27, 1814, Major General Andrew Jackson's army attacked Chief Menawa's Red Stick Creek Warriors.

Over 800 Red Sticks died during this battle. Horseshoe Bend NMP interprets the events of the battle.

The park has 2.8 miles of nature trails, picnic areas, a boat ramp, a park museum and film. 

Lodging - There is no lodging within the park 

Camping-  There is no camping within the park. 

Park Address - 11288 Horseshoe Bend Road, Daviston, AL 36256

Little River Canyon National Preserve 

Distance from Atlanta- 110 miles

Top Attractions - waterfalls, epic scenery

Little River Canyon National Preserve offers visitors the opportunity to view epic waterfalls, wooded trails, and great picnic areas. 

The park has an 11 mile scenic drive that takes visitors along the Little River Canyon Rim Parkway. There are eight overlooks with views of waterfalls and beautiful scenery. 

Lodging - There is no lodging within the park 

Camping-  There is no camping within the park. 

Park Address -432 Little River Trail NE, Fort Payne, AL 35967

Chickamauga Chattanooga National Military Park 

Distance from Atlanta- 111 miles

Top Attractions - Hiking Trails, battlefield museums, and visitor centers.

The park interprets and tells the story of the 1863 Civil War battles that happened at Chickamauga and Chattanooga. 

Rangers lead car caravan battlefield tours explaining the events of the battles at Chickamauga Battlefield. 

At Lookout Mountain Battlefield visitors can enjoy a walking tour with a park ranger to learn more about the history of Chattanooga and the park. 

Lodging - There is no lodging within the park 

Camping-  There is no camping within the park

Park Address -3370 LaFayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742

Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site 

Distance from Atlanta- 124 miles

Top Attractions - Amazing museums, park film, ranger talks

Tuskegee Airmen NHS shares the store of the first African American military pilots who were known as the "Red Tails". 

The park offers visitors the opportunity to explore two museums housed in the airplane hangers, enjoy the park film, become a junior ranger, and learn more about the Tuskegee Airmen.

This is one of our favorite National Parks near Atlanta. 

Lodging - There is no lodging within the park. 

Camping-  There is no camping within the park. 

Park Address -1616 Chappie James Ave., Tuskegee, AL 36083

Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site 

Distance from Atlanta- 127 miles

Top Attractions - 

Tuskegee Institute was built in part by Booker T. Washington in 1881. Tuskegee Institute NHS includes The Oaks which was Booker T. Washington's home.

There is also the George Washington Carver Museum with the park visitor center inside it. One thing to know is the park sits inside the gates of Tuskegee University which is still in use today. 

Lodging - There is no lodging within the park. 

Camping-  There is no camping within the park. 

Park Address - 1212 West Montgomery Road, Tuskegee Institute, AL 36088

Andersonville National Historic Site 

Distance from Atlanta- 138 miles from Atlanta

Top Attractions - Andersonville National Cemetery, National Prisoner of War Museum

Andersonville NHS is located in Southwestern Georgia approximately 55 miles southwest of Macon. The park is open year-round and offers the opportunity to tour a historic prison site, National Prisoner of War Museum and National Cemetery.

During the Civil War, the Confederacy built a prison to hold captured Union Soldiers that was called Camp Sumter. The prison was also known as Andersonville Prison after a local community nearby.

The prison was infamous for the horrible conditions that inmates suffered through. The conditions resulted in nearly 13,000 men passing away by the close of the Civil War. 

During August 1864 more than 32,000 prisoners were held at Andersonville Prison. They suffered through malnutrition, disease and the heat of a Georgia summer. 

Andersonville National Cemetery began as the site of burials for Camp Sumter prisoners. It later became the resting place for people who served in the United States Military.  Andersonville National Cemetery is one of two national cemeteries that is administered by the National Park Service instead of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

The Prisoner of War Museum opened in 1998. The museum focuses on the hundreds of thousands of Americans who have been POWs. 

A visit to Andersonville National Historic Site will most likely be somber and educational, leaving you with a sense of pride for the great men who served our country. This site is home to the National Prison of War Museum and the Andersonville National Cemetery.

The site also protects grounds of the former Andersonville Prison, one of the largest military prisons at the time of the Civil War.  This visitor center is a bit intense if I am being honest. Even the Junior Ranger program takes you through some very deep and heart-wrenching tales. Be prepared to feel the emotions at this historic site. 

Lodging - There is no lodging within the park 

Camping-  There is no camping within the park 

Park Address - 496 Cemetery Road, Andersonville, GA 31711

 

Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument 

Distance from Atlanta- 148 miles

Top Attractions - AG Gaston Motel

This park is a park in progress. There is currently not a visitor center or established museum to visit. You can walk around the area and learn more about Birmingham Civil Rights. 

Lodging - There is no lodging within the park

Camping-  There is no camping within the park 

Park Address - 1510 5th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203

 

Russell Cave National Monument 

Distance from Atlanta- 157 miles

Top Attractions - Ancient cave, visitor center, nature trail

Russell Cave NM protects an archeological site that includes artifacts from prehistoric cultures in the Southeast.

Archeologists uncovered artifacts that represented over 10,000 years of human existences in one location.

Visitors can walk the boardwalk trail to look into Russell Cave and see the remnants of the archeologists work. The museum has great artifacts on display. 

Lodging - There is no lodging within the park

Camping- There is no camping within the park 

Park Address - 3729 Co Rd 98, Bridgeport, AL 35740

Jimmy Carter National Historic Site  

Distance from Atlanta- 158 miles

Top Attractions - Visitor center and museum, Plains Train Depot, Carter Family Farm. 

Jimmy Carter NHS offers visitors the chance to learn more about the life of Jimmy Carter including the family farm he grew up on.

The visitor center and museum are in the Plains High School and include the opportunity to take a photo behind a replica White House desk with Presidential Seal. 

Lodging - There is no lodging within the park

Camping- There is no camping within the park 

Park Address - 300 N Bond St, Plains, GA 31780

Ninety-Six National Historic Site 

Distance from Atlanta- 178 miles

Top Attractions - Star Fort, Visitor Center, Bird watching

Ninety Six NHS offers visitors the chance to learn about life in 18th century South Carolina.

There is a fantastic walking trail that guides visitors by the Star Fort built in 1780. 

Lodging - There is no lodging within the park. 

Camping-  There is no camping within the park. 

Park Address - 1103 SC-248, Ninety Six, SC 29666

Selma To Montgomery National Historic Trail 

Distance from Atlanta- 192 miles

Top Attractions - Visitor Center, Edmund Pettus Bridge

Visitors can visit two visitor centers and museums, walk the Edmund Pettus Bridge and learn more about the rout of the 1965 Voting Rights March in Alabama.

The Lowndes Interpretive Center along US Highway 80 west of Whitehall, Alabama is absolutely amazing.

One of our favorite visitors centers in national parks near Atlanta. It tells the story of the Selma to Montgomery March in a way that makes you stop and pay attention. 

Lodging - There is no lodging within the park. 

Camping-  There is no camping within the park. 

Park Address -2 Broad St, Selma, AL 36701

Congaree National Park 

Distance from Atlanta- 230 miles

Top Attractions - Boardwalk trail, canoe trail, visitor center

Congaree NP protects the largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States.

The park also has some of the tallest treats on the East Coast. Visitors can enjoy walking the boardwalk trails to view the floodplains, epic bird watching, and wildlife.

Lodging - There is lodging within the park. 

Camping-  Congaree Campgrounds

Park Address - 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061

 

Fort Pulaski National Monument 

Distance from Atlanta- 260 miles

Top Attractions - Masonry Fort, trails, ranger led programs. 

Fort Pulaski NM has a long  history from the British American War of 1812 to the Civil War and to today.

Visitors can learn about the Civil War battles that occurred at the fort, when it was used as a US Navy Base, and how it was turned into a National Park Site.

There are fantastic trails around the park and visitors can explore all over the fort. 

Lodging - There is no lodging within the park. 

Camping -  There are no campgrounds within the park. 

Park Address -101 Fort Pulaski Road, Savannah, GA 31410

What is your favorite National Park near Atlanta?

Shiloh National Military Park 

Distance from Atlanta- 314 miles

Top Attractions - Auto tour through battlefields, visitor center

Shiloh NMP protects and interprets the site of a bloody Civil War battle to control the Confederate Railroads.

Visitors can drive the 12.7 mile auto tour at the Shiloh Battlefield site, visit the Shiloh National Cemetery, Shiloh Indian Mounds including a 1.1 mile trail. 

Lodging - There is no lodging within the park. 

Camping-  There is no camping within the park. 

Park Address - 1055 Pittsburg Landing Rd, Shiloh, TN 38376

Fort Frederica National Monument 

Distance from Atlanta- 316 miles

Top Attractions - Historic Fort Site, Park Movie, Guided walks

Fort Frederica was established in 1736 to defend the colony from Spanish attack.

Visitors can learn about the first settlers in Georgia in 1733. Visitors can walk the grounds and explore Broad Street to see how the original settlement was built.

Rangers offer guided tours explaining the history of the area. 

Lodging - There is no lodging within the park. 

Camping-  There is no camping within the park. 

Park Address -6515 Frederica Rd., St. Simons Island, GA 31522

 

Cumberland Island National Seashore 

Distance from Atlanta- 345 miles, not including ferry ride to the island. 

Top Attractions - Ferry Ride, Camping, and historic structures

To reach Cumberland Island visitors take a ferry which is part of the great experience.

Once on the island visitors can hike, ride bikes, camp, or stay in the historic Greyfield Inn.

Enjoy gorgeous undeveloped beaches, take the Lands and Legacy Guided Tour, or do nothing but enjoy the beach.  

Lodging - Greyfield Inn

Camping- Cumberland Island offers five campgrounds, which include designated campsites at Sea Camp and Stafford Beach; and Wilderness campsites at Hickory Hill, Yankee Paradise, and Brickhill Bluff. 

Park Address - The Mainland Visitor Center is located at the waterfront in downtown St. Marys, GA. 

Gulf Islands National Seashore 

Distance from Atlanta- 346 miles

Top Attractions - beach,  scenic drive, Fort Pickens

Gulf Islands NS offers epic beach activities, camping at Fort Pickens Campground, historic sites, and so much more.

The national seashore is America's largest national seashore, stretching 160 miles from east to west.

There is so much to do at Gulf Islands NS including hiking, snorkeling and diving, swimming, bird watching, fishing, and ranger programs.

This is one of our favorite places to spend the day at the beach. 

Lodging - There is no lodging in the park. 

Camping-  Fort Pickens Campground 

Park Address - There are portions of the park in Florida and in Mississippi. The Fort Pickens area is closest to Atlanta. Georgia

The Appalachian Trail, Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, are also National Park sites near Atlanta, Georgia. 

Check out all of the National Parks in Georgia to help plan your visit. Also, check out the neighboring Alabama National Parks, Florida National Parks, South Carolina National Parks, North Carolina National Parks, and National Parks in Tennessee. 

National Park Service Website 

Don't miss the closest beaches to Atlanta.