Parks Manager

National parks near Rutherford County, North Carolina

The closest national park to Rutherford County, North Carolina is Great Smoky Mountains National Park — about 92.9 mi (150 km) away, or roughly 2 hr 39 min of driving.

1 park is close enough to do as a day trip: Great Smoky Mountains.

National parks near Rutherford County

Parks ranked by distance from Rutherford County
ParkStraight-line distanceEstimated driveRealistic trip
Great Smoky Mountains National Park92.9 mi (150 km)2 hr 39 minDoable as a day trip
Congaree National Park127 mi (204 km)3 hr 27 minBest as a weekend
New River Gorge National Park193 mi (311 km)5 hr 2 minBest as a weekend
Mammoth Cave National Park265 mi (426 km)6 hr 43 minWorth a longer road trip
Shenandoah National Park295 mi (475 km)7 hr 26 minWorth a longer road trip
Cuyahoga Valley National Park407 mi (655 km)10 hr 5 minWorth a longer road trip
Point Pelee National Park458 mi (737 km)11 hr 18 minWorth a longer road trip
Gateway Arch National Park508 mi (817 km)12 hr 28 minWorth a longer road trip
Indiana Dunes National Park516 mi (830 km)12 hr 40 minWorth a longer road trip
Rouge National Park609 mi (981 km)14 hr 52 minWorth a longer road trip

Towns and cities in Rutherford County

Common questions

What is the closest national park to Rutherford County?

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, about 92.9 mi (150 km) away and roughly 2 hr 39 min of driving.

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

Great Smoky Mountains National Park — all within about three hours' drive.