Vogel State Park, Blairsville, Ga.: The 233 acres of Vogel State Park lie at the base of Blood Mountain, in the middle of Chattahoochee National Forest and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Visitors can walk through the entire park, including a light 1-mile loop around the lake.
Bedding down: There are 103 campsites in the park (starting at $12 per night; 800-864-7275).
Activities and side trips: Walk the 17 miles of trails, or head to the Appalachian Trail. Visit the nearby town of Helen, Ga., for some river tubing and mountain biking.
Details: For general park information, call 706-745-2628 or visit www.gastateparks.org/info/vogel.
See a sunrise in Maine Head to the stunning coast of Maine for a mix of ocean, lakes, forests and mountains.
Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, Maine: This breathtaking and rugged national park is about 50 miles north of Bangor, Maine. The driving trails are beautiful, but the park also has 125 miles of hiking trails and 45 miles of stone carriage roads that are ideal for hiking and biking with kids.
Bedding down: Passes into the park are $20 per night. Two campgrounds in the park are accessible by car and offer access to comfort stations, picnic tables, fire rings and showers. Blackwoods Campground takes reservations ($20 per night, in season; 877-444-6777). Seawall Campground is first come, first served (also $20 per night). Both campsites are wooded and a 10-minute walk from the ocean. There are 12 private campgrounds nearby, including Mt. Desert Campground ($30 to $45 per night; www.mountdesertcampground.com).
Activities and side trips: The park offers affordable ranger programs for adults and children from May to October, as well as ranger-narrated cruises. Check out the island's two sandy beaches and Cadillac Mountain -- the Atlantic Coast's highest peak -- a glorious spot where the sunrise is spectacular. In Mount Desert's main town, Bar Harbor, swing by Ben and Bill's Chocolate Emporium, a sweets-and-treats spot that even serves lobster ice cream.
Details: For general park information, call 207-288-3338 or visit www.nps.gov/acad.
To find National Parks by state, visit the National Park Services site.
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