Visiting National Parks on a Budget

Are you ready to take on the great outdoors for your vacation? More importantly, is your wallet ready?

With over 400 sites in the US, covering more than 84 million acres, a national park vacation offers one the best bangs for your buck that you can find. 

While there are parks with free admission, most of them do have an entrance fee. However, they also have many free days throughout the year. When calculating your budget, consider buying an annual pass. Veterans are admitted free, so don’t forget to bring ID. There are also senior passes available at a discount for those over age 62.

Look for information on AARP’s website. If you’re a member, you can score some great discounts. Even if you aren’t, there are some great moneysaving suggestions as well as articles about the actual costs of things. 

What’s a vacation without food? Whether we’re road tripping, hiking, camping or just standing in line for an attraction, we all get hungry. Save some money by bringing your own food.

Don’t forget about camping! Not only is it cheaper to stay in a campsite versus a hotel, but if you don’t already own camping gear, you can usually find some good deals on used equipment.

Give yourself the opportunity to explore our country’s beautiful wilderness without breaking the bank. With a little forethought and planning, you can have the vacation of your dreams.