I’ve spent over a decade writing about America’s national parks, and one thing’s for certain: They’re getting more expensive to visit. Luxury national park accommodations are popping up everywhere, and even standard hotels are booked up, driving up lodging prices. And the cost of a rental car? Don’t get me started.

But in all my park wanderings, I’ve also learned that exploring the great outdoors doesn’t have to break the proverbial piggy bank—though it certainly can. With some planning (and a good cooler), America’s national parks are great budget destinations, offering spectacular landscapes without racking up a spectacular credit card bill. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or just looking for a peaceful retreat, here are some of the cheapest U.S. national parks to visit in 2024.

1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina

Why It’s Affordable:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers its bang for zero bucks—in other words, it doesn’t charge an entrance fee. And with its location on the Tennessee–North Carolina border, it’s also near a million towns, meaning lodging in your price range likely exists somewhere nearby.

Highlights:

• Scenic Drives: Newfound Gap Road and Cades Cove Loop offer splendid views for that leisurely drive, especially come autumn and Great Smoky’s leaf-peepin’ season.

• Hiking Trails: With over 800 miles of trails—including a portion of the Appalachian Trail—the park has more opportunities for free hiking than you can shake a hiking pole at.

• Wildlife Watching: Look out for white-tailed deer, elk, and black bears. (The park has the largest protected bear habitat in the eastern US.)

Budget Tips:

• Camping: Great Smoky has several campgrounds with fees below $30 per night. Backcountry camping is free, but it requires a permit.

• Picnicking: Pack those sandwiches and enjoy a meal at one of the many picnic areas throughout the park.

• Lodging: Look to the surrounding towns you’ve maybe never heard of, like Townsend. Or make it a day trip from Asheville or Knoxville—from both those cities, the park’s still less than an hour away.

2. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Why It’s Affordable:

Some might be surprised to see Grand Canyon National Park on this list, as lodging in the beloved park is famously expensive. But with so much infrastructure, the Grand Canyon is also one of the cheapest U.S. national parks to visit—because it’s hackable.

Highlights:

• Accessibility: The South Rim offers iconic views like Mather Point, tons of visitor services, and numerous hiking trails. It’s got thousands of parking spaces, paved paths, and easy-access overlooks galore. Truly anyone can enjoy Grand Canyon views.

• The shuttle system: The Grand Canyon shuttle is free and runs all throughout the park. Park your car and forget about it—until you need to get back, of course.

• Bright Angel Trail: Descending into the canyon, folks from ages 4 to 104 test their ability to hike down, down, down (and then up, up, up). With resthouses along the way, stop whenever you need to take in the view.

Budget Tips:

• Tusayan: From late May to September, free shuttles run from the community of Tusayan (where you can grab discount lodging) into the park. A well-maintained bike path means you can bike in, too.

• Camping: Park campgrounds like Mather Campground are available for less than $20 per night.

• Maswik Food Court: Inside the Maswik Lodge, the Maswik Food Court offers serious deals, like pizza slices for $4 (as of spring 2024).

3. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

Why It’s Affordable:

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is free to enter, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers. And at 30 minutes from Cleveland, you won’t have to fuel up to get there.

Highlights:

• Brandywine Falls: This 65-foot waterfall is one of the park’s most popular—and most photographed—attractions.

• Towpath Trail: This historic trail follows the Ohio and Erie Canal for a scenic hike or bike ride.

• Historic Sites: Explore the park’s historic structures, including the Boston Store Visitor Center and the Canal Exploration Center.

Budget Tips:

• Biking: Bring your own bike and ride the Towpath Trail for free—it may be the best way to experience the park.

• Picnicking: Enjoy a picnic at one of the park’s many picnic spots, like at the scenic Ledges area.

• Ride the Rails: The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is surprisingly reasonable (tickets are $18–$39), can double as transport in or out of the park, and cyclists can nab discounts.

4. Joshua Tree National Park, California

Why It’s Affordable:

Joshua Tree National Park charges an entrance fee of $30 per vehicle for a seven-day pass, offering access to its unique desert landscapes, famous Joshua trees, and sparkly skies. However, gates are unstaffed (and fees not collected) after dark, so stargazers get in free.

Highlights:

• Rock Climbing: The park is a world-renowned destination for rock climbing, with many free climbing areas.

• Stargazing: With minimal light pollution, the park offers some of the best stargazing opportunities in Southern California.

• Scenic Drives: Explore the park via its scenic drives, like the Pinto Basin Road and Park Boulevard, just a 2-hour drive from L.A.

Budget Tips:

• Camping: The park has nine campgrounds, with fees ranging from $15 to $25 per night.

• Free Ranger Programs: Participate in ranger-led programs and nature walks at no extra cost.

• Explore After Dark: Though certain areas are day-use only, the park is great after dark. Hikers should aim for a full moon; stargazers for a new moon. (Regardless of moon phase, put red cellophane over your flashlight to not scare the local wildlife.)

5. Congaree National Park, South Carolina

Why It’s Affordable:

Congaree National Park is free to enter and offers an actually unique experience, what with its 26,000 acres of rare old-growth bottomland hardwood forest. It’s about 30 minutes from the South Carolina capital, Columbia, and public transit is available, cementing its spot on this list.

Highlights:

• Boardwalk Loop: This 2.4-mile boardwalk trail can take almost anyone through the heart of the park’s diverse ecosystem.

• Canoeing and Kayaking: Paddle the park’s waterways for a serene and immersive experience.

• Wildlife Watching: Look for wildlife like white-tailed deer, river otters, and numerous bird species. If you have ’em, pack those binos.

Budget Tips:

• Camping: Backcountry camping is free with a permit, and the park’s frontcountry campground charges $10 per night.

• Free Activities: Enjoy free guided hikes and canoe tours led by park rangers.

• Public Transit: The COMET offers regularly scheduled bus service to and from the park via Bus Route 47, which connects to the metropolitan Columbia area and the Midlands region.

6. Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Why It’s Affordable:

Badlands National Park’s entry fee is $30 per vehicle for seven-day access to its Martian-like landscapes. There are several small towns in the area that offer affordable lodging year-round, plus plenty of camping opportunities.

Highlights:

• The Views: From Pinnacles to the Yellow Mounds, Badlands is full of make-believe scenery—it’s also one of the world’s richest fossil beds.

• The Scenic Drives: Badlands Loop Road, a 31-mile scenic drive, takes visitors through the heart of the park, offering numerous pullouts and overlooks for easy-access vistas and photo opportunities.

• The Wildlife: The creatures here, from bison to bighorn sheep to coteries of prairie dogs, are as wild as the landscapes they call home.

Budget Tips:

• Camping: Campground fees range from $22 to $37 per night.

• Free Activities: Participate in free ranger-led walks and evening programs, hike the trails, have a picnic “on Mars,” and more.

• Lodging: The Rapid City area—around an hour from the park—offers plenty of options for around $100/night.

7. Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana

Why It’s Affordable:

Indiana Dunes National Park offers entry at $25 per vehicle for a seven-day pass, plus the most budget-friendly activity of them all: simply sitting on the sand and taking in the waves. (Priceless.)

Highlights:

• 15 Miles of Shoreline: Spots like Porter Beach balance crowds and parking with ample views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline, on clear days.

• Hiking: The park’s most difficult trail takes just 45 minutes: the 3 Dune Challenge, a 1.5-mile trek with 552 vertical feet to climb to the top of the park’s three tallest sand dunes.

• Diverse Ecosystems: Beyond the shoreline, find heron rookeries, woods, wetlands, and cool birding spots like Cowles Bog.

Budget Tips:

• Camping: Park campgrounds are available for roughly $25 per night.

• Free Activities: Ranger-led programs, including guided hikes and nature walks, are included with your park entry fee. Bring your own floaties, and you’ve got hours of beachy fun, too. (Sandcastles, anyone?)

• State Park: Stick to the adjoining Indiana Dunes State Park—it’s sort of an arbitrary distinction—and entrance fees are only $7 per carload.

The NPS also runs fee-free days each year, including August 4, the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act; September 28, National Public Lands Day; and November 11, Veterans Day. Mark your calendars, pack that cooler, and gather your camping gear—heading to one of these budget-friendly national parks just might be America’s best idea.

Jacqueline is a travel, nature, and science writer based in Wisconsin. Follow her work on Yahoo Creators—or find it in the wild at publications like National Geographic, Smithsonian, Travel + Leisure, and more.