National parks are ideal for making new family memories without blowing your travel budget.
There are 63 national parks throughout the United States where visitors can connect with nature, history, and wildlife. These protected natural areas offer scenic landscapes and recreation opportunities for all ages.
Families seeking an affordable getaway can save money without sacrificing fun, thanks to inexpensive camping rates and free or low-cost entrance fees.
Plan a family vacation to these affordable national parks that won’t break the bank.
New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia
West Virginia is home to the newest national park, New River Gorge. Initially established as a national river in the 1970s, it was officially recognized as a national park in 2020. New River Gorge is in the Appalachian Mountains and has expansive forests and rivers.
Family-friendly fun in the New River Gorge area includes fishing, camping, and rock climbing. This national park is the ideal summer destination for enjoying the outdoors. The park is free to visit, so planning an affordable family vacation is easy.
Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
Many tourists miss Voyageurs National Park, located near the Canadian border in northern Minnesota. However, given its status as a Dark Sky Park, Voyageurs is a fantastic place for watching the night sky.
The lack of light pollution makes Voyageurs National Park optimal for astrophotography and stargazing. During certain times of the year, the Northern Lights are visible from campsites throughout the park. Entrance to Voyageurs National Park is free, but there are fees to camp.
Olympic National Park, Washington
Washington’s Olympic National Park allows visitors to experience several diverse ecosystems. Located roughly 110 miles from Seattle, the park encompasses almost one million acres of land on the Olympic Peninsula. Olympic National Park is ideal for families with curious, adventurous children.
Hiking trails and nature walks throughout the park highlight glaciers, coastal beaches, rainforests, and mountain peaks. A 7-day vehicle pass costs $30, or an annual pass costs $50.
Congaree National Park, South Carolina
Congaree National Park is a highly underrated destination for those traveling with children. Congaree is relatively small compared to other national parks, with fewer than 30,000 acres. This South Carolina park often flies under the radar but is an excellent family-friendly option less than two hours from the famed beaches of Charleston.
Most of Congaree National Park consists of old-growth forests, rivers, and marshy wilderness. Hiking and kayaking are fun ways to witness Congaree’s exceptional biodiversity. This national park is free to visit, making it ideal for families traveling on a budget.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Grand Teton National Park is an excellent destination for families who want to connect with nature. The park, located in northwest Wyoming, has over 300,000 rugged acres to explore. The landscape here consists of mountains, forests, rivers, and valleys.
Families can hike, bike, fish, camp, and horseback ride through the Teton Mountains and Jackson Hole Valley. Grand Teton is a quintessential national park that’s a must-visit for all ages. A 7-day private vehicle pass for Grand Teton National Park is $35.
Acadia National Park, Maine
While Acadia National Park is less than 50,000 acres, it has much to offer families. Mount Desert Island, located off the coast of Maine, makes up most of Acadia. Granite mountains, thick forests, and rocky beaches characterize the park’s landscape.
The national park is home to wildlife such as moose, bears, and whales. Families will enjoy the park’s breathtaking viewpoints and kid-friendly hikes. Entry to Acadia National Park is $35 per vehicle, which grants access for seven days.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee
North Carolina and Tennessee are home to the country’s most-visited national park, the Great Smoky Mountains. Great Smoky Mountains National Park receives millions of annual visitors to its over 500,000 acres of land. The park is easily accessible from cities like Townsend or Knoxville, Tennessee, and Asheville, North Carolina.
The Great Smoky Mountains are famous for their rolling forests and cascading waterfalls, which can be explored on foot, bicycle, or horseback. Thrilling adventures like whitewater rafting and ziplining are also popular family activities. The only fee to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a $5 daily or $15 weekly parking tag.
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
Hot Springs National Park’s roughly 5,500 acres offer impressive recreation opportunities. This Arkansas national park has something for every family member to enjoy. The park’s historic bathhouses and bubbling hot springs bring the past to life.
Hot Springs National Park has opportunities to relax or get your heart pumping, depending on personal preference. The park is appealing to budget-conscious tourists since it doesn’t have an entrance fee.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
Families seeking an affordable place to go on vacation should consider Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio. Cuyahoga Valley is conveniently located near the bustling cities of Cleveland and Akron.
Highlights include 19th-century canal ruins and a historic train. The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is a fun way for families to enjoy picturesque park views. There is no entrance fee to visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, California
Visit Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks for a two-in-one California family vacation. The parks are directly adjacent, making them easy to tour in one trip. Sequoia and Kings Canyon are famous for housing some of the world’s largest trees.
Dramatic mountains, rock formations, and lakes are scattered throughout the Sierra Nevada landscape. The awe-inspiring scenery of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks will create lasting memories. A $35 7-day vehicle pass allows visitors to access both national parks.
Glacier National Park, Montana
Montana’s stunning natural beauty makes Glacier National Park worth visiting. At over one million acres in size, it is an expansive wilderness area with much to discover. Glacier National Park is ideal for family-friendly outdoor exploration, regardless of age.
Wild mountain goats and grizzly bears can be spotted while journeying through the park’s winding roads and hiking trails. Glacier is a thrilling destination where families can connect and appreciate the environment. Visitors must pay a $35 per vehicle fee for a 7-day Glacier National Park pass.
Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana
Walking through Indiana Dunes National Park will transport you to another planet. The national park sits on the banks of Lake Michigan, the world’s largest freshwater lake. With a landscape reminiscent of the desert, the Indiana Dunes are a natural wonder.
Families looking to relax and slow down for a few days will enjoy the park’s laid-back atmosphere. The 7-day pass fee for Indiana Dunes National Park is $25 per car.
These national parks allow families to create priceless memories, even on a budget.
There are family-friendly destinations in every U.S. state
A family vacation is perfect for reconnecting with loved ones while discovering new sights. Make your next trip count by visiting each U.S. state’s top family vacation spot.
Discover family fun throughout the Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is one of the most popular U.S. destinations for adventurous families. There are many fun Pacific Northwest vacations, from bustling cities to peaceful natural areas.
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
