National Parks are one of the most iconic and increasingly expensive summer vacations in America. In 2025, lodging near parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite has jumped by as much as 30%, rental car demand is sky-high, and popular parks require advance reservations. But there’s one major cost you can still control: flights.
Dollar Flight Club analyzed recent fare data from U.S. departure cities between May and August 2025 and found that smart travelers can save $500+ just by flying into the right gateway airports near National Parks. Here’s where the cheapest fares land you this summer and how to get them.
Top 10 Cheapest National Parks to Fly to This Summer
Trend Insights
These rankings highlight the most affordable U.S. airports within a two-hour drive of a major national park. Based on real round-trip airfare data from Dollar Flight Club’s internal feed, they’re ranked by lowest average fare, giving travelers a smarter starting point to plan their park adventures. Whether you’re heading to Zion or Yellowstone, these gateway airports offer the best shot at locking in a cheap flight even during peak summer months. All prices are listed in USD and reflect the lowest round-trip economy fares for Summer 2025.
1. Las Vegas, NV (LAS) – Zion & Grand Canyon National Parks
Round trip price: $29 – $163 USD
Zion (5 million+ visitors/year) and Grand Canyon (4.7 million) are among the most-visited U.S. national parks. LAS is an ideal gateway: Zion is just 2.5 hours away, and the Grand Canyon South Rim is 4.5 hours. This route is perfect for a dual-park road trip with tons of flight availability from budget carriers.
Tip: Visit Zion on a weekday and take the shuttle to avoid parking stress in the scenic canyon, especially on weekends.
2. Phoenix, AZ (PHX) – Grand Canyon National Park
Round trip price: $32 – $177 USD
PHX offers some of the cheapest fares to the Southwest and is about 3.5 hours from the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. Sedona makes for a scenic mid-drive stop. With 4.7 million annual visitors, this park gets busy—especially at sunrise viewpoints like Mather Point.
Tip: Book timed entry permits early if you want to hike into the canyon or camp; they sell out fast during peak summer.
3. Salt Lake City, UT (SLC) – Arches & Canyonlands National Parks
Round trip price: $84 – $250 USD
SLC is about a 4-hour drive to Moab, the hub for Arches (1.8 million visitors) and Canyonlands (800,000). These red-rock icons offer dramatic formations and fewer crowds than Utah’s other Mighty Five parks.
Tip: Enter Arches before 7 a.m. to avoid timed entry requirements and secure parking at popular trailheads like Delicate Arch.
4. San Francisco, CA (SFO) – Yosemite & Pinnacles National Parks
Round trip price: $129 – $397 USD
Yosemite (3.9 million visitors) is about a 4-hour drive from SFO, while Pinnacles (350,000) is a lesser-known gem closer by. Use SFO for flexibility and flight value, especially if you’re also planning to explore NorCal
Tip: For Yosemite, start your hikes early—Yosemite Valley trails can reach capacity by mid-morning in July and August.
5. Denver, CO (DEN) – Rocky Mountain National Park
Round trip price: $132 – $299 USD
Rocky Mountain (4.1 million visitors) is just 1.5 hours from Denver and is one of the easiest high-alpine parks to reach. Entry permits are required in summer, and Trail Ridge Road is a must-see if open.
Tip: Acclimate in Estes Park for a night before hiking to avoid altitude sickness—many trails exceed 9,000 feet elevation.
6. Seattle, WA (SEA) – Mount Rainier National Park
Round trip price: $137 – $400 USD
Mount Rainier (1.6 million visitors) dazzles with wildflower meadows and glacier views. SEA is about a 2-hour drive to the park, offering urban amenities before diving into alpine adventures.
Tip: Sunrise Visitor Center opens earlier in the season than Paradise and often has lighter crowds in July and August.
7. Fresno, CA (FAT) – Yosemite National Park
Round trip price: $177 – $393 USD
Fresno is just 90 minutes from Yosemite’s South Entrance. Yosemite remains one of the most visited parks, with crowds peaking midday.
Tip: Head to Glacier Point at sunrise for panoramic views without the crowds—it’s one of the best photo spots in the park.
8. Spokane, WA (GEG) – Glacier National Park
Round trip price: $188 – $399 USD
Glacier welcomed nearly 3 million visitors last year. GEG offers affordable access to the park’s west entrance. Entry reservations are required for Going-to-the-Sun Road in summer.
Tip: If you miss a vehicle reservation, use the park shuttle system to explore Going-to-the-Sun Road without restrictions.
9. Bozeman, MT (BZN) – Yellowstone National Park
Round trip price: $202 – $499 USD
Yellowstone (4.5 million visitors) is a geological wonder filled with geysers and wildlife. BZN is about 1.5 hours from the north entrance and generally cheaper than flying into Jackson Hole.
Tip: Lamar Valley is best for spotting bison, wolves, and bears—go early in the morning for the best chance at sightings.
10. Jackson Hole, WY (JAC) – Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Parks
Round trip price: $400 – $600 USD
Though the most expensive airport on the list, JAC is just 15 minutes from Grand Teton (3.4 million visitors) and an hour from Yellowstone. It’s the most convenient option for short, high-impact trips.
Tip: Rent bikes to explore Grand Teton’s paved multi-use paths, which offer close-up views of the Teton Range without traffic.
6 Tips to Save on National Park Flights This Summer
1. Use nearby major airports over tiny regionals.
Flying into Bozeman (BZN) or Salt Lake City (SLC) is often 50–70% cheaper than Jackson Hole (JAC) or Moab’s Canyonlands Field (CNY).
2. Compare multiple access points.
Zion is drivable from both Phoenix and Las Vegas so check both for price drops.
3. Book 1–3 months in advance.
Summer prices spike fast. Booking by end of May gives you the best shot at sub-$400 fares.
4. Target mid-week travel.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays are almost always the cheapest days to fly into park-adjacent airports.
5. Don’t sleep on low-cost carriers.
Spirit, Frontier, and Southwest fly into airports like PHX and LAS for under $150 round-trip from many U.S. hubs.
6. Fly into bigger cities, rent and road trip.
San Francisco (SFO) for Yosemite or Seattle (SEA) for Rainier can be cheaper than flying directly into park-adjacent airports like Fresno or Yakima.
Methodology
This report is based on round-trip economy airfare data collected by Dollar Flight Club between January and May 2025. We analyzed over 300,000 fare records from major U.S. departure cities to airports located within a two-hour drive of key U.S. National Parks. Data sources included fare information from airline partners, online travel agencies (OTAs), and Dollar Flight Club’s proprietary deal feed and internal tracking tools. To identify the most affordable options, we ranked airports by the lowest verified round-trip fares available for peak summer travel (May through August 2025). All destinations included in the rankings are within reasonable driving distance to at least one major National Park, and all fare ranges are listed in U.S. Dollars (USD) for economy class. Actual prices may vary depending on departure city, dates of travel, airline availability, and booking window. All listed fares reflect the lowest prices verified at the time of analysis.
