Ever considered a National Parks vacation? If you’re thinking about where to go for your next vacation, why not do it in a National Park. You’ll be surprised with what they have to offer!

National Parks Vacation: More Fun & Less Money

I always love a good vacation. Every year, we do our best to go out of state somewhere we can relax and forget the busy schedule we have on the homestead. We’ve been to different places and it can be pricey. From the hotel accommodation to every little nickel and dime we use up along the way, it can really drain one’s budget. So this year, I thought, “Why not vacation to a National Park?” There are a lot of different parks you can visit and they offer a surplus of activities. Not only will this bring you and your family closer to nature, but it will also help you budget. since you can go camping and forget about the hotel altogether. If you need more tips and probably a little more convincing, just check out this infographic below!

 

Thank you Daily Infographic! Click to Enlarge

National Parks Offer More Fun for Less Money

A good summer vacation offers a good mix of relaxation and stimulating adventure. National parks offer just that and more. From hiking, camping, climbing to diving, whale watching, and much more, these parks also offer the chance to get away from it all with solitude and spectacular views. Find a park that’s right for your family while saving money. Parks don’t have huge admission fees, plus you can save by camping and by using your credit card rewards whether you travel by plane or car.

Money Saving Opportunities on National Park Vacation:

• Save hotel expenses by camping
• Accrue travel rewards by flying or stating at hotels
• Save on gas with gas reward cards

 

Most Visited National Parks

These are the most visited national parks in the United States. They offer epic views, but many also come with bustling crowds, especially during peak season. However, at some of these parks the crowds are spread out enough so that you might not realize they’re one of the top 10.

 

1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

9.5 Million annual visitors.

2. Grand Canyon National Park

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4.4 Million annual visitors

3. Yosemite National Park

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3.9 Million annual visitors

4. Yellowstone National Park

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3.6 Million annual visitors

5. Rocky Mountain National Park

3.0 Million annual visitors

6. Olympic National Park

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2.8 Million annual visitors

7. Grand Teton National Park

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2.7 Million annual visitors

8. Zion National Park

2.7 Million annual visitors

9. Cuyahoga Valley National Park

2.5 Million annual visitors

10. Glacier National Park

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2.2 Million annual visitors

 

Parks with Most Campers

These national parks have the most campers each year

1. Yosemite

1.7 Million yearly overnight stays

2. Yellowstone

1.3 Million yearly overnight stays

3. Grand Canyon

1.2 Million yearly overnight stays

4. Great Smoky Mountains

0.39 Million yearly overnight stays

5. Glacier

0.37 Million yearly overnight stays

6. Zion

0.30 Million yearly overnight stays

7. Shenandoah

0.30 Million yearly overnight stays

8. Olympic

0.30 Million yearly overnight stays

9. Joshua Tree

0.29 Million yearly overnight stays

10. Sequoia

0.25 Million yearly overnight stays

 

Beachcombers

For those of you who love sun and surf, the U.S. National Park Service has designated miles and miles of coastline as protected national seashores. Here are 5 of the most popular.

1. Cape Cod

4.7 Million yearly visitors

2. Gulf Islands

4.3 Million yearly visitors

3. Cape Hatteras

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2.2 Million yearly visitors

4. Assateague Island

2.1 Million yearly visitors

5. Point Reyes

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2.0 Million yearly visitors

 

History Buffs

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These sites are great for history buffs. They include national historical parks, memorials, and monuments that provide insight into the nation’s past or commemorate significant events or those who served in office or combat.

1. George Washington Memorial Parkway

6.9 million yearly visitors

2. Lincoln Memorial

6.0 million yearly visitors

3. Vietnam Veterans Memorial

4.6 million yearly visitors

4. San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

4.1 million yearly visitors

5. Castle Clinton National Monument

4.1 million yearly visitors

 

TIP: If you’d like to visit some of the more popular parks, but want to avoid the crowds, use this seasonal visitor chart from the National Park Service.

 

Does this make you rethink your next vacation? Let us know what you think about spending your vacation on a National Park below!

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 Need more vacation ideas for every season? Get more here:

12 Beautiful Places To Visit This Fall

Ultimate Snow Retreat Destinations For Winter

And while you’re at it, why not find out: What’s Your Role On a Group Holiday Vacation?