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Featured Regional Parks Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Petersburg National Battlefield Valley Forge National Historical Park MORE > Regional Events 2008 Schedule for Volunteer Service Events at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens 02/23/08 to 10/25/08 Join NPCA for National Public Lands Day at Valley Forge National Historical Park 09/27/08 Join NPCA for National Public Lands Day at Shenandoah National Park 09/27/08 Join NPCA for National Public Lands Day at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens 09/27/08 MORE > Regional Press Releases Judge Denies Bond Sought by American Revolution Center, Park Advocates’ Appeal Moves Forward 08/05/08 MORE > Podcasts Park Stories: Investing in our Heritage Audio MORE > Center for State of the Parks Reports Assateague Island National Seashore August 2007 Catoctin Mountain Park March 2006 Take Action America's Heritage for Sale Teddy is Making Parks a Priority--are the Candidates? MORE >

Mid-Atlantic

The parks of the Mid-Atlantic region combine natural wonders with the history that helped shape the United States. The major battles of the Civil War are represented at sites such as Gettysburg National Military Park (PA) and Appomattox Court House National Historical Park (VA). The Colonial National Historic Park at Jamestown and Yorktown (VA) honors a number of historical landmarks, including the site of the first permanent English settlement.

Featured Parks 

Some of the area's best-known parks include:

• Antietam National Battlefield marks the site of one of the most devastating battles of the Civil War, claiming more than 23,000 men in a single day.
• Appalachian National Scenic Trail winds over 2,000 miles through the Appalachian Mountains and stretches from Maine through Georgia.
• Assateague Island National Seashore is home to migratory waterfowl and wild ponies.
• Harpers Ferry National Historical Park represents both the beauty and history of this region.
• Shenandoah National Park highlights the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

See a list of national parks in the Mid-Atlantic Region >>

Download maps of national parks in your state:

• Maryland (PDF, 322 KB)
• Pennsylvania (PDF 274 KB)
• Virginia (PDF, 347 KB)
• West Virginia (PDF, 179 KB)

Threats to Mid-Atlantic Parks

Parks in the Mid-Atlantic region face a variety of threats:

• Air pollution in Shenandoah rivals that of many U.S. cities.
• Development threatens many of the region's Civil War battlefields.
• Invasive species are out-competing native wildlife in Shenandoah and other area parks.
• Lack of funding is impacting the preservation of Harper's Ferry National Historical Park.