Parks Manager

National parks near Johnston County, North Carolina

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

The closest national park to Johnston County, North Carolina is Congaree National Park — about 184 mi (296 km) away, or roughly 4 hr 48 min of driving.

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

National parks near Johnston County

Parks ranked by distance from Johnston County
ParkStraight-line distanceEstimated driveRealistic trip
Congaree National Park184 mi (296 km)4 hr 48 minBest as a weekend
Shenandoah National Park204 mi (329 km)5 hr 17 minBest as a weekend
New River Gorge National Park228 mi (367 km)5 hr 51 minBest as a weekend
Great Smoky Mountains National Park290 mi (467 km)7 hr 19 minWorth a longer road trip
Cuyahoga Valley National Park427 mi (688 km)10 hr 34 minWorth a longer road trip
Mammoth Cave National Park444 mi (714 km)10 hr 57 minWorth a longer road trip
Point Pelee National Park495 mi (797 km)12 hr 10 minWorth a longer road trip
Rouge National Park579 mi (932 km)14 hr 10 minWorth a longer road trip
Thousand Islands National Park620 mi (998 km)15 hr 7 minWorth a longer road trip
Indiana Dunes National Park629 mi (1013 km)15 hr 21 minWorth a longer road trip

Towns and cities in Johnston County

Common questions

What is the closest national park to Johnston County?

Congaree National Park, about 184 mi (296 km) away and roughly 4 hr 48 min of driving.

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

None comfortably. Plan at least one night away.