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Trip type

Parks

Federal land, entrance fees, and an alarm clock.

Grand Canyon South Rim, Great Smoky Mountains, Acadia. Recreation.gov for popular lodges.

Grand Canyon South Rim at golden hour with the Colorado River far below

Parks

Grand CanyonThe South Rim is the classic U.S. park weekend. The view does the work.

Misty blue ridges of the Great Smoky Mountains at sunrise

Parks

Great Smoky MountainsThe busiest U.S. national park, still worth it if you leave the main drag at dawn.

Pink granite Maine shoreline and spruce trees at sunrise

Parks & coast

Maine coast (Acadia)Granite, spruce, and a park loop that still feels like a getaway from the megalopolis.