10 Ways To Save on National Parks Trips

With Nationwide Park Week kicking off on April 19 and summer time on the horizon, now could be one of the best time to plan your subsequent outside journey.

April 19, the primary day of Nationwide Park Week, is likely one of the few fee-free days at U.S. nationwide parks, the place customary entrance charges are waived. With some strategic strikes, you too can get monetary savings on meals and lodging. We not too long ago dug into this matter on NerdWallet’s weekly journey podcast, Good Journey, which I co-host with Meghan Coyle. Listed below are our greatest ideas from that present on discover America’s nationwide treasures with out overspending.

1. Go to on fee-free days

On choose dates every year, the Nationwide Park Service waives entrance charges at websites that usually cost admission, which may price as much as $35 per car at the preferred parks. This payment is usually good for seven days.

2. Snag a free entrance go

Past the official free days, there are many methods to keep away from paying for nationwide park entry in any respect, together with:

There are additionally occasional bundle offers that embrace free park entrance or perhaps a full America the Lovely Move, which is an annual go that prices $80.

For instance, The Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa in Jackson, Wyoming, is providing a free annual go whenever you e-book a minimal four-night keep this summer time. That lodge is a part of Small Luxurious Motels of the World, which is bookable by Hilton (although calling {that a} “deal” is perhaps a stretch, as room charges can simply high $1,000 per evening on sure summer time nights).

3. Carpool to avoid wasting on entrance charges

When you’re driving in, nationwide parks cost by automotive — not per particular person. The $35 entry payment is way simpler to swallow when break up amongst 5 folks packed right into a sedan versus you driving in solo. Take into account it an excellent incentive to carpool.

4. Keep contained in the park in the course of the low season

If time is cash, then staying contained in the park is usually your finest guess. Many nationwide parks supply lodging run by concessionaires — all the things from rustic cabins to grand, historic lodges. A number of the most well-known lodges inside nationwide parks embrace Yellowstone Nationwide Park’s Outdated Devoted Inn, Glacier Nationwide Park’s Many Glacier Lodge and The Inn at Demise Valley.

Keep in these kinds of lodges for a fast entry to trailheads for dawn hikes, and the power to bask within the quiet that settles in after the day-trippers depart.

Costs at these lodges fluctuate broadly by season and sometimes e-book up rapidly. For instance, at Outdated Devoted Inn, nightly room charges for essentially the most primary rooms have a tendency to take a seat beneath $300 in Could, however can run larger than $500 in June and July. Many nights in June 2025 are already bought out.

One massive downside to notice: Eating choices may be restricted contained in the park.

5. Spend factors (not cash) at lodges simply exterior the park

Gateway cities simply exterior park boundaries are inclined to have big-name lodges that you may e-book on factors earned by bank cards or lodge loyalty applications. For visiting japanese Utah nationwide parks on factors, Hyatt Place Moab is an efficient dwelling base for exploring Arches and Canyonlands Nationwide Parks. Throughout peak season, rooms begin at 23,000 World of Hyatt factors per evening. Hyatt is likely one of the finest Chase Final Rewards® switch companions.

For exploring Zion Nationwide Park, lodges for factors and miles fans in Springdale, Utah, embrace the Cliffrose Springdale, Curio Assortment by Hilton. It sits on the sting of the Virgin River simply 5 minutes from Zion Canyon — and there’s a free native shuttle.

And Marriott loyalists have a brand new choice, the Purple Cliffs Lodge Zion, A Tribute Portfolio Lodge, which opened in 2024. The property is situated lower than a mile from the park’s entrance. Many rooms have canyon views, and you’ll even take within the surroundings by means of one of many outside firepits or poolside cabanas.

The largest downside of going this route is that many require a for much longer drive. For instance, the Outdated Devoted Inn places you steps away from the enduring geyser. In the meantime, the closest IHG property is the Vacation Inn West Yellowstone, which remains to be a roughly 45-minute drive to Outdated Devoted.

6. Go glamping on factors, too

For recent air, scenic views and the luxurious of an actual mattress, glamping is changing into an more and more in style trip choice. These Instagram-worthy, upscale tenting setups — assume safari-style tents with wooden flooring and en-suite bogs — have popped up close to parks like Zion, Grand Canyon and Glacier.

Located in scenic areas usually close to park entrances, these properties have a tendency to supply a better connection to nature than a typical lodge. For instance, Below Canvas has 5 camps throughout Utah and Arizona which can be DarkSky-certified resorts, which implies they contribute much less to gentle air pollution. That’s higher for each the atmosphere and on your capability to stargaze.

Additionally they are typically costly, nevertheless it’s potential to e-book them with out money. You possibly can earn and redeem World of Hyatt factors for stays at Below Canvas.

AutoCamp, one other outside lodging model that homes company in decked out cabins, luxurious tents and Airstreams — these iconic aluminum-plated RVs — additionally companions with Hilton, making AutoCamp stays bookable on Hilton. Hilton Honors members with elite standing may also flex their advantages at AutoCamp areas, which supply perks like a free s’mores equipment with Hilton Diamond standing.

For nature lovers or funds vacationers, there’s at all times good, old style tenting. Whether or not you’re in a tent, trailer or fully-kitted RV, staying at a park campground places you within the coronary heart of nature. Most campgrounds are run by the Nationwide Park Service and may be reserved by Recreation.gov.

Similar to the costs of just about all the things else, campground charges are rising. For instance, customary tent and RV charges at Mather, Desert View and North Rim Campgrounds in Grand Canyon Nationwide Park had been simply $18 per evening. However beginning Could 1, 2025, they’ll enhance to $30 per evening.

Nonetheless, this tends to be the most affordable approach to keep in or close to the park. Plus, you’ll have the closest proximity to trails and wildlife.

Simply be aware that websites e-book up quick, so plan forward. Additionally take into account that there are minimal facilities. Some campgrounds have showers, however not all. And naturally, you’ll have to do your individual prep and convey your individual gear.

Nationwide park reward retailers and cafes ceaselessly include theme park-style markups. For instance, you may pay $7.50 for a bowl of minimize fruit on the Grand Canyon’s Maswik Lodge.

Trim your meals prices by reserving a lodge with a kitchenette and prepping your individual fruit bowls — and different snacks — for the highway. You may also load up on deli meat on the market to place collectively sandwiches on your day within the parks. It’s cheaper than shopping for sandwiches on the official concession stands.

9. Skip expensive excursions in favor of free actions

There’s no scarcity of guided excursions by nationwide parks. However until you want specialised gear for one thing like a rafting tour or a mule path trip, you may usually fill your day with free actions.

Verify to see if the park you are visiting presents free ranger talks, guided walks or junior ranger applications for teenagers. Customer middle displays and scenic drives price nothing past your entry payment.

10. Go to nationwide parks when the crowds don’t

Motels close to nationwide parks cost the best charges throughout peak season when crowds are largest. When you go to throughout a less-crowded time, it might be a lot simpler to lock in a decrease charge.

Crowds fluctuate by particular park, however June and July are usually the 2 busiest months. Excessive crowds are inclined to end in larger costs for lodging, rental automobiles and excursions. There are just a few exceptions to that rule, comparable to Demise Valley Nationwide Park, which has its smallest crowds in June given the extraordinary warmth.

Usually talking, purpose for shoulder seasons like early spring or late fall to get pleasure from each good climate (many parks shut partially or in full throughout snow) and decrease costs.