Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Travel
  3. News

Top 10 national parks to fly to without breaking the bank

Find out which national park is the most affordable to fly to this summer

By
A river flowing through Yellowstone National Park
12019 / Pixabay

National Parks remain one of America’s most beloved escapes, but visiting them is getting pricier by the year. With rental car demand soaring and hotel rates near major parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite up as much as 30% this summer, travelers are feeling the pinch. The good news? One major travel cost, flights, can still be surprisingly affordable.

A new analysis from Dollar Flight Club reveals the top 10 most budget-friendly airports to fly into for easy access to national parks. By reviewing thousands of roundtrip fares, the study identifies airports that offer low-cost flights and are within a short drive of major parks.

Recommended Videos

Topping the list is Las Vegas (LAS), where roundtrip flights range from just $29 to $163 and offer access to both Zion and the Grand Canyon. In second is Phoenix (PHX), with fares between $32 and $177 and a manageable 3.5-hour drive to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. Other affordable gateways include San Francisco (SFO) for Yosemite and Bozeman (BZN) for Yellowstone, both offering access to iconic landscapes without sky-high airfare.

The best national park flight deals: The full list

Grand Canyon Sunset
Emily Caldwell / The Manual
  1. Las Vegas, NV (LAS) – Zion & Grand Canyon National Parks, $29 to $163 round trip
  2. Phoenix, AZ (PHX) – Grand Canyon National Park, $32 to $177 round trip
  3. Salt Lake City, UT (SLC) – Arches & Canyonlands National Parks, $84 to $250 round trip
  4. San Francisco, CA (SFO) – Yosemite & Pinnacles National Parks, $129 to $397 round trip
  5. Denver, CO (DEN) – Rocky Mountain National Park, $132 to $299 round trip
  6. Seattle, WA (SEA) – Mount Rainier National Park, $137 to $400 round trip
  7. Fresno, CA (FAT) – Yosemite National Park, $177 to $393 round trip
  8. Spokane, WA (GEG) – Glacier National Park, $188 to $399 round trip
  9. Bozeman, MT (BZN) – Yellowstone National Park, $202 to $499 round trip
  10. Jackson Hole, WY (JAC) – Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Parks, $400 to $600 round trip
Amanda Teague
Amanda Teague
Contributor
Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio, is a dedicated explorer of both the world and the written word…
Topics
Savannah Beyond the Postcard
Take a look at one of the greatest southern cities from a different perspective.
Architecture, Building, Spire

Savannah is one of those cities that seems almost too easy to like. The live oaks are dramatic. The Spanish moss does exactly what it is supposed to do. The brick sidewalks buckle in all the right places. The houses look like they were designed by people who understood proportion, shade, and the value of a proper front step. Even the light seems to arrive with better manners than it does in most places.

I have a built-in advantage when it comes to Savannah. We have family there, so we have been back several times, not just once for the checklist version of the city. I have also done a photography workshop there, which is a terrific way to learn any city. You get up early, stay out late, and pay attention to alleys, doorways, ironwork, reflections, and the way a city changes when the tourists are still asleep.

Read more
I spent 72 hours in London with only a carry-on. Here’s how I did it in style
Luxury travel doesn't require a checked bag
London

Somewhere between the baggage claim carousel and the Elizabeth Line, I realized I'd already won. As passengers from my Norwegian flight to London crowded around the conveyor belt waiting for checked luggage to appear, I was already on my way into the city. Twenty minutes later, I was headed toward central London with nothing more than a carry-on suitcase and a backpack. I've become a bit of a carry-on evangelist over the past few years. Not because I'm trying to prove some minimalist point or because I enjoy seeing how few shirts I can survive with. I just genuinely think it's the better way to travel, especially for a long weekend in Europe.

My recent 72-hour trip from Copenhagen to London wasn't exactly a backpacker's itinerary. It included a stay at one of London's nicest luxury hotels, rooftop cocktails, dinners worth dressing up for, and plenty of walking through Soho, Covent Garden, and the rest of central London. Somehow, everything I needed fit inside my Travelpro Platinum Elite Slim Cabin Hardshell Spinner V2, with a backpack holding my flight essentials.

Read more
This New Montana Hotel Captures the Poetry of the Open Road
Helena's newest boutique hotel revives the spirit of the classic roadside motel.
Corner, Home Decor, Bed

In case you need another excuse for a Montana getaway this summer, a quirky new boutique hotel has opened in Helena, the Treasure State's capital. The Bell Hotel occupies the site of the former Bell Motel, a classic 1950s roadside lodge thoughtfully reimagined by CWG Architecture. Each of its 14 rooms features locally made chocolates, coffee, and artwork. While in town, ask the front desk about the Bell's Picnic in the Park package. The hotel supplies a basket of local treats and a blanket; Montana provides the sublime scenery and glorious weather. You're on your own for companionship.

Hannah honey was a peachy kind of girl /Her eyes were hazel and her nose was slightly curved /We spent a lonely night at the Memory Motel- The Rolling Stones

Read more