If you are a beach lover, perhaps you’ve found yourself curious about the national seashores. While the beach tends to attract all sorts of crowds, national seashores offer serenity and peace within their protected lands. There is oftentimes a barrier to entry (either physical or financial) that takes it from “tourist attraction” (like the beach) to safe haven.

In this guide to national seashores, we’ll give an overview of all ten in the USA:

• Assateague Island National Seashore (MD)
• Cape Cod National Seashore (MA)
• Cape Hatteras National Seashore (NC)
• Cape Lookout National Seashore (NC)
• Canaveral National Seashore (FL)
• Cumberland National Seashore (GA)
• Fire Island National Seashore (NY)
• Gulf Islands National Seashore (FL/MS)
• Padre Island National Seashore (TX)
• Point Reyes National Seashore (CA)

Assateague Island National Seashore

Location: Ocean City, MD

Size: 37 miles

Significance: Known for having wild horses all over the island

Located three hours from Washington DC and Philadelphia, Assateague Island is a delightful getaway for anyone hoping to escape the big city. The stated mission of the park is to preserve and protect “unique coastal resources and the natural ecosystem conditions and processes upon which they depend, provide high-quality resource-based recreational opportunities compatible with resource protection and educate the public as to the values and significance of the area.”

The island consists of three public areas: Assateague Island National Park, a State Park with the same name, and Chincoteague National Refuge.

I visited last year on the 4th of July, and there were wild ponies on the shore of the beach! It caught everyone’s attention. Always make sure you are staying safe by keeping distance from the wildlife, and practice “leave no trace” principles.

Cape Cod National Seashore

Location: Massachusetts coast

Size: 40 miles

Significance: known for Thoreau’s route across the coastline

The wildlife surrounding Cape Cod National Seashore is simply gorgeous. There are beaches of course, but also marshes, wetlands, forested ponds, and uplands suitable for all sorts of activities. It is New England’s most popular national park, and we can see why.

It’s also a hub for LGBTQ+ members and allies. Provincetown (called “P-town”) hosts a ton of events for the queer community, especially in the month of June. This guide to national seashores doesn’t get super in-depth on it but you can read more about it here.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Approximate Location: Buxton, North Carolina

Size: 70 miles

Significance: known for having a treacherous coastline

Cape Hatteras was the first national seashore established in the USA, and has become a popular hub for recreational activities. Be careful, though; the treacherous currents and unpredictable storms have caused this seashore to be nicknamed “The Graveyard of the Atlantic.” The good news is, it is considered to have the best fishing and surfing on the east coast.

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Perhaps the most unique thing about this seashore is the stargazing. Cape Hatteras has one of the darkest night skies on the east coast, which means it is perfect for spending a night out seeing the Milky Way.

Cape Lookout National Seashore

Location: Carteret County, North Carolina

Size: 56 miles

Significance: The most remote seashore in the US

Cape Lookout National Seashore is a very remote national seashore, only reachable by a three mile boat ride (or, I guess you could swim the three miles, if you really wanted to, but I wouldn’t recommend it).  It is made up of three undeveloped barrier islands: North Core Banks, South Core Banks, and Shackleford Banks,

Make sure you pack all the food, water, and other supplies you might need during your visit. There is a visitor’s center located on Harkers island, and this seashore is an International Dark Sky Park as well.

Canaveral National Seashore

Location: Jacksonville, Florida

Size:  24 miles

Significance: Cape Canaveral is the primary launch location for space exploration

This is the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline that you can get along the Atlantic Ocean. It’s on a barrier island made up of dune, hammock, and lagoon. Records show that 1,045 species of plants and 310 species of birds exist here, including many on the endangered species list.

The Canaveral National Seashore is protected land, and right outside of it, you will find Cape Canaveral where many space endeavors have launched from. If you’re planning a visit, you may want to stop in to the Kennedy Space Center as well.

Cumberland Island National Seashore

Location: Georgia

Size: 17 miles

In addition to white sandy beaches, Cumberland Island National Seashore also offers fresh water laters, dunes, and marshes. This is another seashore accessed by ferry only, and the ride is about 45 minutes from the mainland. If you’re planning a trip, check out this guide written by Explore Georgia.

NPS restricts visitation to 3000 people on the island at a time, and visitors can stay no longer than 7 nights. The best time to visit is between March and September.

Fire Island National Seashore

Location: New York

Size: 26 miles

It’s hard to believe there is a national seashore just 90 minutes from one of the biggest cities in the US, New York City. There are no public roads within Fire Island National Seashore, so it can only be accessed by ferry or boat. There is a visitor’s center called Sailors Haven (that sounds promising!) which also has a 1.5mi long boardwalk.

Gulf Islands National Seashore

Approximate Location: Pensacola, Florida and Pascagoula, Mississippi

Size: 150 miles

Significance: the largest national seashore 

Gulf Islands National Seashore was the 8th most visited unit within the NPS system in 2022. It’s quite popular, and with good reason! It is the largest national seashore (not to confuse it with the longest) in the US and protects miles of undeveloped land, historic fortifications like Fort Pickens, and numerous nature trails.

You might also like: Everything You Need to Know About Gulf Islands National Seashore

Check it out: What To Know About Biking the Gulf Islands National Seashore

Related: Best Spots to See the Sunrise and Sunset near Pensacola Beach

This national seashore is stretched over parts of seven islands plus mainlands, and has SO much to do along the way. Truly, you could spend weeks exploring every crevice that this beauty has to offer. The best parts (in my humble opinion) are the Fort Pickens Area and Santa Rosa Area. You can read more about it in my guide.

Padre Island National Seashore

Location: Texas

Size: 70 miles

Significance: the longest undeveloped barrier island in the world

In contrast with South Padre Island (which is more of a beach resort paradise), the national seashore rivals Cape Lookout in remoteness. It is only accessible via four-wheel-drive vehicles, and all but four miles is open to exploration. It is also open for primitive camping year-round, and is a popular spot for wind-surfing, too.

Point Reyes National Seashore

Location: California

Size: 100 miles

Significance: Over 1500 species of plants and animals

Dominating as the only national seashore of the west coast, Point Reyes National Seashore offers an extremely diverse array of wildlife. It boasts picturesque cliffs, as well as beaches. As a girl from the southeastern US where the terrain doesn’t offer rock cliffs, it is quite breathtaking!

This national seashore is also good for whale watching and, drum roll please, elephant seals! These gentle creatures remind me of manatees, but on land. They are gentle giants; quite a sight to behold. They are most prevalent December – March, but can be spotted any time of year if you look hard enough!

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