Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways
How to Visit National Parks for Free, Avoid Crowds, and Save on Lodging
19 Mar 2025
Learn how to visit national parks on a budget, including tips on free entry days and cheap lodging. Plus, the latest key travel rewards updates. When can you visit national parks for free, and what are the best ways to cut costs on park trips? Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French break down national park budget tips to help you plan an affordable adventure. But first, they kick off the episode with the latest travel rewards updates, including Amex Membership Week deals, Hyatt’s upcoming award chart changes, and whether using Bilt points for Lyft rides is a smart move. They also break down Spirit Airlines’ emergence from bankruptcy and what it means for budget travelers. Then, they dive into national park savings strategies, covering free admission days, annual park passes, and the best budget-friendly lodging options, from camping to glamping to points-bookable hotels. They also discuss how to avoid peak-season crowds, what recent staffing cuts at national parks could mean for visitors, and which parks are at the top of their must-visit lists. Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: Best American Express Cards of March 2025 World of Hyatt Announces Category Changes for 151 Properties Bilt Rewards: How the Program Works Spirit Airlines Brings Back Change and Cancellation Fees on Some Fares How to Visit National Parks for Free in 2025 How Credit Card Issuers Define ‘Travel’ What’s the Value of Hilton Points? In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: national park free entry days, national parks fee-free days, when you can visit national parks for free, how to save money at national parks, national park annual pass, America the Beautiful pass, best budget national parks, best time to visit national parks, national park entrance fees, how to book national park lodging, cheapest way to visit national parks, best glamping near national parks, best credit cards for travel rewards, how to maximize travel points, and booking travel with credit card rewards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Full Episode
Megan, did you know that exactly one month from now, on April 19th, you can visit all the national park sites in the U.S. for free? Oh, yeah.
It's another one of those fee-free days. And yet, somehow, I still spend $7 on an ice cream sandwich at the Grand Canyon. Yes.
Classic. You go on this trip intending to hike into nature and escape the modern world only to get hit with theme park pricing on ice cream.
The gift shop and the snack bar always get you. I know. But today we're talking about how to save in grand and tiny ways when you're adventuring outdoors.
Today's show topic is all about visiting national parks. We've got the tips on park passes and budget-friendly lodging.
Because yes, I am convinced the gift shop is more dangerous than any potential encounters with carnivorous wildlife. Yeah.
Welcome to Smart Travel, a deep dive into the tips, tools, and tactics to maximize your travel dollars. I'm Megan Coyle. And I'm Sally French. And we're the travel nerds ready to help you plan your next big trip. Which, if you listen to today's episode, might be to a national park. But before national parks, it is time for the news.
We are amid Amex membership week right now. That started on March 17th. This means a lot of Amex offers for eligible cardholders, which you can add to your card through the Amex app or website, and you get discounts when you shop at certain retailers. So on the travel front, you can earn $75 back when you spend $250 or more on qualifying purchases at select Hilton properties by May 19th, 2025.
But remember, you got to add this offer to your card.
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