Treat your family to a great escape. Go for an unplugged and rustic getaway with a campfire burning and a zillion stars above. Whether you long for mountain peaks, rocky coasts or island exploration, these spots are stunning, affordable and mostly accessible by car. Plus, there's plenty of civilization near every spot if your campers get restless or rain falls.
Savor a lakeside getaway Stay at a campground in this scenic waterfront town.
Bayfield, Wis.: The harbor town of Bayfield has just more than 600 residents and is on the edge of Lake Superior, the largest freshwater body of water in the world. Bayfield is a paradise for sailors, canoers and kayakers, and a great jumping-off point to the 21 islands of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, which is a quick boat ride away. But if you stay ashore, there's still plenty of fishing, biking, hiking and shopping to enjoy.
Bedding down: There are several campsites in and around town, and almost all are on the water, including the Buffalo Bay Campgrounds & Marina ($20 per night; 715-779-3712). Bayfield's Dalrymple Campground is also a popular spot, but it's first come, first served ($15; www.cityofbayfield.com).
Activities and side trips: Madeline Island is the only Apostle island with year-round residents, and its ferry will shuttle visitors there. The island has a golf course and some nice parks. Rent a boat in town or take a cruise to explore the other islands and the sea caves in Justice Bay. Bayfield, the "Berry Capital of Wisconsin," has orchards and farms nearby that offer berry picking. In town, don't miss the quaint Candy Shoppe's homemade candy.
Details: For general information, call 800-447-4094 or visit www.bayfield.org.
Cruise the California coast Enjoy some peace and quiet at this eco-adventure resort.
Costanoa, Pescadero, Calif.: This environmentally friendly resort is connected to four state parks, filled with wildlife -- from deer and bobcats on land to seals and whales in the water -- and is nestled between the Pacific coast and redwood forests.
Bedding down: Pitch your own tent at a campsite ($40 to $65 per night; 877-262-7848) and use the park's luxurious comfort stations.
Activities and side trips: There's so much on-site here (a weekend kids camp, hiking, biking, kayaking, windsurfing, horseback riding) that you don't need to go anywhere else. But the Seymour Marine Discovery Center and the Ano Nuevo State Reserve, the largest seal rookery in North America, are nearby.
Details: For general information on Costanoa, call 650-879-1100 or visit www.costanoa.com.
Climb some Rocky Mountains See views from peaks that soar above 14,000 feet
Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colo.: Spanning 416 square miles and boasting 78 peaks higher than 12,000 feet, Rocky Mountain National Park offers much to wonder at (like herds of elk) and wander along (like 359 miles of hiking trails). To get a feel for the whole park, which is about an hour and a half northwest of Denver, don't miss Trail Ridge Road, a 50-mile stretch that's the highest continuous road in the country.
Bedding down: Reservations for campsites Moraine Park and Glacier Basin ($20 per night; 800-365-2267) can be made starting five months in advance. The three other campsites in the park -- Aspenglen, Longs Peak and Timber Creek ($20 per night) -- are on a first-come, first-served basis. There are also many just-outside-the-park options, including National Park Retreats ( www.nationalparkretreats.com).
Activities and side trips: Horseback riding is available, as is trout fishing (you'll need a state license). In Estes Park, there are plenty of taffy-and-T-shirt shops, miniature golf courses and waterslides. The Estes Park Center is just outside the park gates and is great for a rainy-day visit ( www.ymcarockies.org); it has an arts-and-crafts center, an indoor pool and a roller rink.
Details: For general park information, call 970-586-1206 or visit www.nps.gov/romo.
Explore peachy Georgia Go fishing, backpacking and hiking at this popular park.
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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