Discovering national parks in 2024: Best places to stay with points
National park visits surged in recent years: Over 325 million guests experienced U.S. national parks in 2023, a 4% increase from the previous year.
Generally, the biggest — and often most significant — cost associated with a national park visit is accommodation.
Numerous national parks are situated in remote areas, making it difficult to find a major chain hotel where you can use points nearby. However, you'll frequently find opportunities to redeem your points from World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, Choice Privileges, and other hotel loyalty programs to stay close to some of the most popular national parks, particularly those near mid-sized or major cities. Remember, the National Park Service also offers various properties beyond just the iconic parks, including national monuments and historic sites. (Additionally, they provide free admission six days each year.)
If there are no nearby options for using hotel points, think about utilizing fixed-value currencies like Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which can be accumulated with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
If you're planning a trip to national parks in the future, here's how you can leverage your points and miles to reduce costs on hotel accommodations.
White Sands National Park
White Sands National Park located in New Mexico. TETRA IMAGES/GETTY IMAGESDesignated as a national park in 2019, White Sands National Park spans 275 square miles of desert in New Mexico's Tularosa Basin. Visitors can explore surreal gypsum sand dunes — you can even go sledding on them! If you prefer sightseeing, take a drive along the picturesque 8-mile Dunes Drive.
El Paso International Airport (ELP) is the nearest major airport to White Sands, located just under 100 miles to the south. Fortunately, there are several budget-friendly hotels in proximity to the park:
Accommodation options
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Alamogordo — starting at $147 or 18,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
- Courtyard by Marriott Las Cruces at NMSU — starting at $159 or 38,500 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
- Hilton Garden Inn Las Cruces — starting at $149 or 30,000 Hilton Honors points per night
- Hampton Inn & Suites Las Cruces I-10 — starting at $134 or 30,000 Hilton Honors points per night
Indiana Dunes National Park
Geologist Laura Brennan stands in Indiana Dunes National Park in Indiana. LUCIE AUBOURG/AFP/GETTY IMAGESMany people are unaware that Chicago is less than an hour’s drive from one of the newest national parks in America: Indiana Dunes National Park. Previously known as Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, this area achieved national park designation in 2019. Indiana Dunes spans 15 miles along the shores of Lake Michigan, making it a favored summer spot for both beachgoers and hikers.
Chicago visitors can easily enjoy a day trip to Indiana Dunes National Park, but you can also establish a base in nearby Indiana towns like Chesterton or Portage, where budget-friendly and mid-range hotels are available.
Accommodation options
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Valparaiso — starting at $145 or 45,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
- Hyatt Regency McCormick Place — starting at $160 or 18,000 World of Hyatt points per night (as this is a Category 4 hotel, you can use a Category 1-4 certificate earned on the cardholder anniversary of the World of Hyatt Credit Card)
- Hilton Garden Inn Chesterton — starting at $151 or 35,000 Hilton Honors points per night
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Portage — starting at $158 or 32,000 IHG One Rewards points per night
Gateway Arch National Park
Gateway Arch National Park located in St. Louis. MIKE KLINE/GETTY IMAGESSt. Louis' Gateway Arch National Park is a relatively recent addition to the national park system. In 2018, the area surrounding the arch underwent significant renovations, adding 11 acres of parkland along with 5 miles of biking and walking trails.
Being situated in a major city means there are numerous hotel options available near Gateway Arch National Park.
Accommodation options
- Hotel Saint Louis, Autograph Collection — starting at $195 or 82,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
- Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch — starting at $127 or 8,000 World of Hyatt points per night (Category 2)
- St. Louis Union Station Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton — starting at $263 or 50,000 Hilton Honors points per night
Yosemite National Park
Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, California. NICK RAINS/GETTY IMAGESYosemite National Park, situated in Northern California approximately 170 miles east of San Francisco, is a well-known destination. As the most visited national park in California, it features iconic landmarks like Half Dome, making it a must-visit for many travelers.
During the peak summer season, you might encounter long wait times at the park entrances, with drives within Yosemite taking up to 45 minutes. If you have flexible points available, think about using them for a more convenient stay inside the park or nearby. There are still options for redeeming hotel points close to Yosemite National Park.
Accommodation options
- Quality Inn Yosemite Valley Gateway — starting at $157 or 30,000 Choice Privileges points per night
- Sierra Sky Ranch, Ascend Hotel Collection — starting at $305 or 30,000 Choice Privileges points per night
- Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn — starting at $246 or 40,000 Best Western Rewards points per night
- The Westin Monache Resort, Mammoth — starting at $301 or 108,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
Everglades, Dry Tortugas, and Biscayne national parks
Everglades National Park located in Florida. CASSIDY ATHOS/EYEEM/GETTY IMAGESSouth Florida boasts three stunning national parks that are truly unique: Everglades National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, and Biscayne National Park.
Everglades National Park is just a 40-mile drive southwest of Miami and is home to diverse wildlife, including banded water snakes, Florida softshell turtles, and tiny grass frogs. In contrast, Dry Tortugas and Biscayne require a bit more effort to access, as they encompass extensive water areas.
To visit all three parks in one trip, Key Largo is the best central location for accommodations. Alternatively, you could spend a few days around Miami exploring the Everglades and Biscayne before driving to Key West for a day trip to Dry Tortugas.
Accommodation Options
- The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami — starting at $398 or 110,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
- Hyatt Regency Miami — starting at $144 or 9,000 World of Hyatt points per night (Category 3)
- Courtyard Key Largo — starting at $166 or 88,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
- Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa — starting at $331 or 40,000 World of Hyatt points per night (Category 8)
- Casa Marina Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton — starting at $348 or 93,000 Hilton Honors points per night
Zion National Park
Zion National Park located in Utah. THE GOOD BRIGADE/GETTY IMAGESInterest in Zion National Park has surged in recent years, making it one of the most frequented national parks in the country.
According to NPS statistics, over 4.6 million visitors explored Zion in 2022 — and it's easy to see why. Alongside stunning, Instagrammable landscapes, Zion features some of the most unique trails in the nation, such as Angels Landing and the Narrows. There are also numerous family-friendly hiking and biking options for those traveling with younger children.
For travelers using points, Zion is among the more accessible national parks. The town of Springdale, Utah, is just a stone's throw from the park's main entrance, offering a variety of reasonably priced chain hotels.
Accommodation Options
- Hampton Inn & Suites Springdale/Zion National Park — starting at $220 or 60,000 Hilton Honors points per night
- Cliffrose Springdale, Curio Collection by Hilton — starting at $341 or 90,000 Hilton Honors points per night
- SpringHill Suites by Marriott Springdale Zion National Park — starting at $273 or 127,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
- Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn & Suites — starting at $251 or 40,000 Best Western Rewards points per night
- The Lodge at Zion County — starting at $220 or 173,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
A hiker traversing the Kilauea Iki trail at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. YIMING CHEN/GETTY IMAGESThe scenery at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park underwent a significant transformation in March 2018 due to the eruption of the active shield volcano Kilauea. While there’s no longer visible lava, the crater has expanded dramatically as a result of this eruption.
Major hotels are scarce near the park, so options include booking a simple cabin within the park or staying at Volcano House, which collaborates with the National Park Service. In summer, rooms typically start at $285 per night (with extra charges for crater views). Alternatively, you can find a small cabin for under $100 per night. Regardless, it's advisable to use your fixed-value points to manage those expenses. Otherwise, Hilo, just under an hour away, offers a broader range of hotel choices.
Accommodation Options
- Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo — A Doubletree by Hilton — starting at $281 or 50,000 Hilton Honors points per night
- Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection — starting at $849 or 173,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
Grand Canyon National Park
Rafting along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park. MERRILL IMAGES/GETTY IMAGESArguably the most renowned national park, the Grand Canyon boasts impressive size and immense popularity. The canyon features two rims, with various lodging options depending on your chosen area to explore. While you can camp in the Grand Canyon or book accommodations within the park, availability can be highly competitive.
Here are our top recommendations for points-friendly hotels near the Grand Canyon.
Accommodation Options near the South Rim
- Squire Resort at the Grand Canyon, BW Signature Collection — starting at $181 or 40,000 Best Western Rewards points per night
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Grand Canyon, an IHG Hotel — starting at $231 or 43,000 IHG One Rewards points per night
For those planning an extended stay, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card offers a complimentary fourth reward night.
Accommodation Options near the North Rim
- Courtyard Page at Lake Powell — starting at $216 or 97,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Page — Lake Powell Area, an IHG Hotel — starting at $189 or 39,000 IHG One Rewards points per night
- Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Page Lake Powell — starting at $245 or 15,000 Wyndham Rewards points per night
- Best Western Plus at Lake Powell — starting at $182 or 32,000 Best Western Rewards points per night
Shenandoah National Park
Doyles River Falls located in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. SAM SPICER/GETTY IMAGESCharlottesville, Virginia, serves as a perfect starting point for exploring nearby national parks, including Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway. While summer attracts many visitors, my favorite time is fall, when the foliage displays some of the most stunning colors in the country.
For history buffs interested in the Civil War, two significant sites are just a 90-minute drive from Charlottesville: Appomattox Court House National Historic Park, marking the end of the Civil War, and Manassas National Battlefield Park, known for its two major and intense Civil War battles.
Accommodation Options
- Residence Inn Charlottesville Downtown — starting at $168 or 84,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night (ideal for using a 35,000-point certificate)
- Hyatt Place Charlottesville — starting at $162 or 8,000 World of Hyatt points per night (Category 2)
- DoubleTree by Hilton Front Royal Blue Ridge Shadows — starting at $124 or 35,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
Key Takeaway
Our nation is fortunate to have numerous incredible national parks, monuments, and outdoor areas.
If visiting a U.S. national park is on your agenda for summer 2024, now is an ideal time to secure hotel bookings in or near a park using points.
Thinking about a national park adventure this year? Check out these related articles:
- How to enjoy free visits to national parks — tips to save
- 12 top national parks to explore with children
- A family guide to visiting the Grand Canyon: Where to camp, stay, and have fun
- Begin planning your camping getaway to Yellowstone National Park
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