A trip out west is usually considered a bucket-list experience — but most of us think it has to cost an arm and a leg. The reality is, you don’t have to break the bank to experience the wide-open spaces, big skies, and legendary sites of the Western U.S. From low-fee national parks to quaint small towns filled with character and free activities, this region has many ways of being explored on a budget.
Whether you’re driving alone on a road trip, planning your family vacation, or taking a weekend getaway, cheap and memorable experiences await if you just know where to find them. By selecting smart accommodations, visiting during the off-season, and utilizing public lands and budget-friendly attractions, you can get more for your money without sacrificing adventure.
If you’re willing to see stunning deserts, hiking paths, and scenic highways without breaking your bank, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we will outline the Best Places to Travel Out West for bargain yet unforgettable vacations.
Best Places to Travel Out West for Cheap Yet Memorable Trips
Traveling out west doesn’t have to break the bank. Though most people think of Western U.S. travel in terms of pricey resorts or high-end national park lodges, there are many places where you can experience great scenery and activities without breaking the bank.
From free national park trails and budget-friendly campgrounds to quaint towns and low-cost attractions, frugal travelers have plenty of choices.
By being timing flexible, using public lands, and opting for the right lodging, you can see the best of the West without overspending. In the following guide, we will detail the most affordable but worthwhile destinations to visit out west.
Zion National Park, Utah
Zion National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the country and continues to be one of the least expensive for budget travelers. The park has a single flat fee of $35 per vehicle, which is good for seven days.
That gets everyone in the vehicle in, not per person, so it is economical for groups. Once in the park, transportation is provided by the complimentary shuttle system operating in the central Zion Canyon area throughout the high seasons. You won’t require a vehicle for the majority of your stay.
Camping within the park begins at only $20 a night at the South or Watchman Campgrounds. These are filled early during high season, so advanced reservations are necessary. For the budget-conscious, accommodations in the surrounding towns of Hurricane or La Verkin also tend to have cheaper motels and short-term rentals available, with rates generally between $60 to $90 per night — much lower than Springdale, the town immediately outside Zion’s entrance.
Hiking is the premier activity in Zion, and it’s entirely free once you’re within the park. Trails such as Angels Landing (free permit required), The Narrows, and Emerald Pools offer dramatic scenery and no rental fees if you’re self-sufficient. Water shoes or hiking boots are suggested but not required. Travelers can also appreciate scenic driving, wildlife observation, and stargazing at no extra fee.
Joshua Tree National Park, California
Joshua Tree National Park is an arid destination famous for its distinctive rock formations and eponymous trees. The vehicle entrance fee is $30 and lasts seven days. It’s an inexpensive park with no extra fees unless you take special tours or guided climbs. Most of the attractions within the park are vehicle- or short-hike accessible, without the necessity of permits or advance planning.
Campgrounds within Joshua Tree like Hidden Valley and Jumbo Rocks have sites ranging from $20 to $25 per night. They are primitive but a great experience under open night skies. If camping is not your style, motels in the nearby town of Twentynine Palms tend to be inexpensive, charging between $65 and $90 per night off-season.
Free activities include hiking to Skull Rock, Barker Dam, and Keys View. Rock climbers also find this area a hotspot for low-cost bouldering. In the spring and fall, you’ll get cooler temperatures, ideal for long hikes and outdoor exploration without the summer heat or crowds.
Bend, Oregon
Bend is an equilibrated location that provides exposure to mountains, forests, and rivers. It is less commercialized compared to other towns outdoors, which makes it relatively affordable for budget travelers. Accommodation in Bend ranges from hostels, cheap motels, and Airbnb cabins at a minimum of $80 per night, particularly for off-peak months.
Bend outdoor recreation is mostly open for free. Deschutes River Trail, Tumalo Falls, and the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway are all open with no entry fee. You can even rent a tube for $20 per day and float the Deschutes River during the summer — a favorite pastime of both visitors and locals. A number of trailheads are situated just outside the city limits and are open to access for free.
Public festivals and entertainment are frequently held in the Old Mill District, such as free concerts, food truck festivals, and art exhibitions. There are also pedestrian walkways here, so you can walk around local cafes and shops without digging deep into your wallet.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Great Basin National Park is among the most underappreciated national parks in the United States, keeping costs low. There is no fee to enter the park, making it an excellent choice for tourists who want to see a national park without paying any money. The only added expense is for a guided tour of the Lehman Caves, from $12 to $15 based on tour duration.
Camping is offered in several campgrounds within the park for a mere $15 per night. Campsites allow access to trails, scenic drives, and dark skies to see stars. Ranger-led astronomy programs are also available at no additional cost. Hiking is a top attraction here, with the Wheeler Peak and Bristlecone Grove trails featuring views and geological formations with no permit charges.
Closest towns such as Baker only have some simple accommodation, but camping is cheaper and places you next to the park attractions.
Boise, Idaho
Boise provides the comforts of a city with the benefits of outdoor recreation for less money than nearly all western metro areas. Budget accommodations are priced between $60 and $90 per night, and the city has adequate public transportation, minimizing the need for car rentals. ValleyRide, the city bus system, allows day passes for $2.50, and it’s simple to get around the region inexpensively.
Some of the most popular sites in Boise are the 25-mile Boise River Greenbelt, which is free and ideal for walking or cycling. Local shops or app-based rental companies provide bike rentals at affordable prices (about $30/day). The Freak Alley Gallery, an outdoor art exhibit downtown, is also free and offbeat.
Other budget-friendly attractions include the Old Idaho Penitentiary ($8 for adults), Idaho State Capitol (free), and the farmers’ market where you can experience local food and crafts at reasonable prices.
Flagstaff, Arizona
Flagstaff is a college town with budget-friendly accommodation and proximity to natural attractions such as the Grand Canyon, a mere 90 minutes away. You can get motels and hostels from $50–$70 per night. Walnut Canyon and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monuments are also nearby with moderate admission fees at around $25 per car.
Free or inexpensive activities are hiking through the Coconino National Forest, a stroll along Route 66, or a visit to the Lava River Cave. Flagstaff has dark skies and an astronomy-friendly atmosphere with the Lowell Observatory providing access to telescopes and evening night sky programs for less than $25 a ticket.
Food options are available for students and travelers, with most meals costing less than $12 at local diners and food trucks. For national park tours, consider purchasing the America the Beautiful annual pass ($80), which grants access to all national parks and federal lands — a good deal if you’re visiting multiple locations.
Moab, Utah
Moab is the gateway to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, each of which has breathtaking natural rock formations and hiking trails. Each park entrance is $30 per vehicle and is good for 7 days. Many stay in Moab and go back and forth to both parks from one lodging location.
Budget lodgings in Moab consist of campgrounds, hostels ($30–$50 per night), and BLM (Bureau of Land Management) campsites, most of which are free or less than $20. Such sites are usually only 10–15 minutes from downtown and provide simple amenities with stunning views.
Popular trails such as Delicate Arch, Double Arch, and Mesa Arch are free with park admission and do not need guides. Scenic driving, sunset viewing, and photography locations are abundant and can be accessed by any normal car. Moab food is expensive, but there are a few grocery stores and cheap restaurants that make self-catering feasible.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California
Sequoia and Kings Canyon are neighboring parks that cost one $35 per vehicle, seven-day entry fee that covers both parks and several hundred miles of trails. Camping within the parks ranges from $22–$26 per night, which is one of the more budget-friendly options for seeing California’s wilderness.
Most trails, such as those to the General Sherman Tree and Moro Rock, are free once you’re inside the park. Guided tours like Crystal Cave are optional and cost extra but are not necessary to enjoy the park’s highlights. Shuttle buses operate seasonally and are free for park visitors.
If you’re not camping, hotel rates will be lower in surrounding towns such as Three Rivers, but they could still be more expensive than other areas in the West. Visiting weekdays or during shoulder seasons (late spring or early fall) can minimize lodging and entrance waiting times.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe blends deep history, Southwestern culture, and affordable travel. Motels, hostels, and Airbnb rates start at $60 per night. The old town center, including Canyon Road and the Santa Fe Plaza, is within walking distance and filled with free art galleries, local boutiques, and street performances.
The city’s public transportation is affordable, with local buses only $1 per trip. Museums such as the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and the New Mexico History Museum have admissions under $15. Loretto Chapel and Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis are inexpensive or free to visit.
Eating is quite reasonable if you eat at local food trucks or cafes, most having classic New Mexican fare for under $10. With more than 300 days of sunshine per year, you can walk the city easily and walk through outdoor bazaars and attend local festivals without shelling out money for guided tours.
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
The deepest lake in the United States, Crater Lake, has an entrance fee of $30 per car for a seven-day pass. Accommodation within the park is minimal and costly, but surrounding campgrounds or towns such as Chiloquin and Fort Klamath provide a less expensive option.
The park’s Rim Drive is a 33-mile scenic loop that’s free to access once inside the park. Several viewpoints and trailheads along the route offer opportunities for photography and short hikes. The Garfield Peak Trail and Watchman Peak Trail are popular and free to hike.
Boat tours can be rented for a cost, but not required for visiting the lake. Self-provided food is suggested because dining within the park is limited and costly. Free ranger programs are also available in summer months for visitors to enjoy.
Conclusion
Best Places to Travel Out West doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. By planning ahead and targeting destinations with low-cost or no-cost experiences, you can experience some of America’s most beautiful landscapes without breaking the bank.
From the red rock canyons of Moab to Oregon’s alpine lakes, the Western United States is home to a wealth of national parks, scenic villages, and outdoor activities that won’t cost an arm and a leg. No matter if you camp, budget motel, or visit public lands, all types of lodging, dining, and activities are available at reasonable prices.
Most parks have a flat entrance fee for a week or more, so parks are an excellent bargain for extended stays. Urban areas such as Boise, Flagstaff, and Santa Fe have something to offer both nature and culture with their walkable downtowns and inexpensive attractions.
Finally, the best way to have an affordable but authentic trip is to select the destination, go for travel during the off-season, and focus on experience-based travel rather than the cost. With the tips provided in this guide, you can begin planning an affordable Western getaway that is within your budget while still providing great memories.
