Parks Manager

National parks near Durham County, North Carolina

Durham County is one town for park planning. See national parks near Durham — it reaches the same parks.

The closest national park to Durham County, North Carolina is Shenandoah National Park — about 178 mi (286 km) away, or roughly 4 hr 39 min of driving.

Nothing here is a comfortable day trip — the nearest parks are better as an overnight or a weekend.

National parks near Durham County

Parks ranked by distance from Durham County
ParkStraight-line distanceEstimated driveRealistic trip
Shenandoah National Park178 mi (286 km)4 hr 39 minBest as a weekend
Congaree National Park186 mi (300 km)4 hr 52 minBest as a weekend
New River Gorge National Park187 mi (301 km)4 hr 53 minBest as a weekend
Great Smoky Mountains National Park262 mi (422 km)6 hr 39 minWorth a longer road trip
Cuyahoga Valley National Park390 mi (627 km)9 hr 40 minWorth a longer road trip
Mammoth Cave National Park408 mi (656 km)10 hr 6 minWorth a longer road trip
Point Pelee National Park456 mi (734 km)11 hr 15 minWorth a longer road trip
Rouge National Park549 mi (883 km)13 hr 26 minWorth a longer road trip
Indiana Dunes National Park588 mi (947 km)14 hr 22 minWorth a longer road trip
Thousand Islands National Park598 mi (962 km)14 hr 36 minWorth a longer road trip

Towns and cities in Durham County

Common questions

What is the closest national park to Durham County?

Shenandoah National Park, about 178 mi (286 km) away and roughly 4 hr 39 min of driving.

Which national parks can I visit from Durham County in a day?

None comfortably. Plan at least one night away.