I’ve been writing about America’s national parks for over a decade, and one thing is for sure: they’re getting more and more expensive to visit. Luxury accommodations in national parks are popping up everywhereand even standard hotels are booked up, driving up accommodation prices. And the cost of a rental car? Don’t get me started.
But on all my park hikes, I’ve also learned that exploring the great outdoors doesn’t have to break the bank, though it certainly can. With a little planning (and a good cooler), America’s national parks are great budget destinations, offering spectacular scenery without racking up a hefty credit card bill. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or just looking for a peaceful getaway, here are some of the cheapest U.S. national parks to visit in 2024.
1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina
Why it’s affordable:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers great value for your money, meaning there’s no entrance fee. And with its location on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, it’s also close to a million cities, meaning there’s probably somewhere nearby that fits your price range.
Highlights:
-
Nice rides: Newfound Gap Road and Cades Cove Loop offer stunning views on a leisurely drive, especially in the fall and when you can admire the leaves in the Great Smoky.
-
Hiking trails: With over 800 miles of hiking trails, including a section of the Appalachian Trail, the park offers more opportunities for free hiking than you can count with a walking stick.
-
Spotting wild animals: Keep your eyes peeled for white-tailed deer, elk, and black bears. (The park has the largest protected bear habitat in the eastern U.S.)
Budget tips:
-
Camping: Great Smoky has several campgrounds with rates under $30 per night. Backcountry camping is free, but requires a permit.
-
Have a picnic: Bring your own sandwiches and enjoy a meal at one of the many picnic areas in the park.
-
Accommodation: Check out the surrounding cities you may never have heard of, like Townsend. Or make it a day trip from Asheville or Knoxville—the park is still less than an hour away from either city.
2. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Why it’s affordable:
Some may be surprised to see Grand Canyon National Park on this list, as lodging in the beloved park is notoriously expensive. But with so much infrastructure, the Grand Canyon is also one of the cheapest US national parks to visit, as it hackable.
Highlights:
-
Accessibility: The South Rim offers iconic views like Mather Point, numerous visitor services, and numerous hiking trails. With thousands of parking spaces, paved trails, and easily accessible viewpoints throughout, everyone can enjoy the view of the Grand Canyon.
-
The shuttle system: The Grand Canyon shuttle is free and runs throughout the park. Park your car and forget about it, until you have to go back, of course.
-
Clear Angels Route: People from 4 to 104 years old test their ability to hike down, down, down (and then up, up, up) as they descend into the gorge. There are restaurants along the way, so stop whenever you want to enjoy the view.
Budget tips:
-
Tusayan: From late May to September, free shuttles run from the Tusayan community (where you can get a discount on lodging) to the park. A well-maintained bike path means you can also cycle in it.
-
Camping: Park campgrounds such as Mather Campground are available for less than $20 per night.
-
Eatery Maswik: At Maswik Lodge, the Maswik Food Court offers serious deals, like $4 pizza slices (coming spring 2024).
3. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
Why it’s affordable:
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is free to enter, making it a great choice for budget travelers. And at 30 minutes from Cleveland, you won’t need to fill up with gas to get there.
Highlights:
-
Brandywine Falls: This 20-meter-high waterfall is one of the park’s most popular and most photographed attractions.
-
Towpath: This historic trail follows the Ohio and Erie Canals and offers a scenic walk or bike ride.
-
Historical sites: Explore the park’s historic buildings, including the Boston Store Visitor Center and the Canal Exploration Center.
Budget tips:
-
Misuse: Bring your own bike and ride the Towpath Trail for free. This is perhaps the best way to experience the park.
-
Have a picnic: Enjoy a picnic at one of the many picnic areas in the park, such as the scenic Ledges area.
-
Ride the train:The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is surprisingly affordable (tickets cost $18–$39) and can also serve as transportation to and from the park. Cyclists can also get a discount.
4. Joshua Tree National Park, California
Why it’s affordable:
Joshua Tree National Park charges an entrance fee of $30 per vehicle for a seven-day pass, which provides access to the unique desert landscapes, famous Joshua trees, and sparkling skies. However, the gates are unmanned (and no fees are collected) after sunset, so stargazers free entrance.
Highlights:
-
Rock climbing: The park is a world-famous rock climbing destination and has many free climbing areas.
-
Watching stars: Thanks to minimal light pollution, the park offers some of the best stargazing opportunities in Southern California.
-
Nice rides: Explore the park via scenic routes like Pinto Basin Road and Park Boulevard, just a 2-hour drive from LA
Budget tips:
-
Camping: The park has nine campgrounds, with entrance fees ranging from $15 to $25 per night.
-
Free Ranger Programs: Participate in ranger-led programs and nature walks for free.
-
Discover After Dark: While certain areas are only accessible during the day, the park is great after dark. Hikers should aim for a full moon; stargazers, a new moon. (Regardless of the moon phase, put red cellophane over your flashlight so as not to scare off local wildlife.)
5. Congaree National Park, South Carolina
Why it’s affordable:
Admission to Congaree National Park is free and offers a Actually unique experience, with its 26,000 acres of rare old-growth lowland forest. It is located about 30 minutes from South Carolina’s capital, Columbia, and has public transportation available, which confirms its place on this list.
Highlights:
-
Walking route along the promenade: This 3.8-kilometer hiking trail takes almost everyone through the heart of the park’s diverse ecosystem.
-
Canoeing and kayaking: Paddle through the park’s waterways for a serene and immersive experience.
-
Spotting wild animals: Look for wildlife such as white-tailed deer, river otters and numerous species of birds. If you have them, pack those binoculars.
Budget tips:
-
Camping: Camping in the backcountry is free with a permit, and the park’s front country campground charges $10 per night.
-
Free activities: Enjoy free guided walks and canoe trips led by park rangers.
-
Public transport:The COMET provides regular bus service to and from the park via bus route 47, which provides service to the Columbia metropolitan area and the Midlands region.
6. Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Why it’s affordable:
The entrance fee to Badlands National Park is $30 per vehicle for seven days of access to the Mars-like landscapes. There are several small towns in the area that offer affordable lodging year-round, plus plenty of camping options.
Highlights:
-
The views: From Pinnacles to Yellow Mounds, Badlands is full of fictional landscapes. It’s also one of the richest fossil deposits in the world.
-
The scenic routes: Badlands Loop Road, a 31-mile scenic route, takes visitors through the heart of the park. There are numerous viewpoints and pull-offs where you can easily look out and take photos.
-
The wild life: The animals that live here, from bison to bighorn sheep to groups of prairie dogs, are as wild as the landscapes they inhabit.
Budget tips:
-
Camping: Camping fees range from $22 to $37 per night.
-
Free activities: Join free ranger-led walks and evening programs, hike the trails, have a picnic ‘on Mars’ and much more.
-
Accommodation:The Rapid City area, about an hour’s drive from the park, offers plenty of options for around $100 per night.
7. Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana
Why it’s affordable:
A seven-day pass to Indiana Dunes National Park will set you back $25 per vehicle, plus the most budget-friendly activity of all: just sitting on the sand and enjoying the waves. (Priceless.)
Highlights:
-
15 miles of coastline: Places like Porter Beach offer a good balance of crowds and parking, and on clear days, great views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline.
-
Hiking: The park’s toughest route takes just 45 minutes: the 3 Dune Challenge, a 2.4-kilometer trek with a 168-meter elevation gain to climb to the top of the park’s three highest sand dunes.
-
Diverse ecosystems: Behind the coastline you will find heron colonies, woodland, wetlands and great bird watching spots such as Cowles Bog.
Budget tips:
-
Camping: Park campsites are available for approximately $25 per night.
-
Free activities: Ranger-led programs, including guided hikes and nature walks, are included in your park admission price. Bring your own floaties and you’ll have hours of beach fun, too. (Sandcastles, anyone?)
-
Municipal Park:Stay in neighboring Indiana Dunes State Park (it’s a bit of an arbitrary distinction) and the entrance fee there is just $7 per carload.
The NPS also hosts free days each year, including August 4, the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act; September 28, National Public Lands Day; and November 11, Veterans Day. Mark your calendars, pack that cooler, and gather your camping gear: heading to one of these budget-friendly national parks might just be America’s best idea.
Jacqueline is a travel, nature, and science writer based in Wisconsin. Follow her work on Yahoo Creators—or find it in the wild at publications like National Geographic, Smithsonian, Travel + Leisure, and more.
