5 Most Popular National Parks You Should Visit This Summer — and How Much You’ll Spend
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Crystal Mayer
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Amen Oyiboke
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According to a recent research from LendingTree, visits to National Parks throughout the U.S. were the highest since tracking began in 1904. Over 330 million visits were logged in America’s protected parks, with sites in California and the District of Columbia seeing the largest number of visitors.
National Parks are not only important for the animals and nature they preserve, but also for local economies. In 2023, the most recent year for which data is available, visitors to these scenic locations spent an estimated $26.4 billion.
As you map out your summer plans, consider these five national parks and plan out how much you will need to spend at each one.
Golden Gate National Recreation Area (NRA)
Logging 17.2 million visits, the Golden Gate NRA was the top spot for national park travelers in 2024. Located in San Francisco, California, the historic site brought in $1.5 billion in visitor spending in 2023. The Golden Gate NRA does not charge entrance fees, except at Muir Woods National Monument, which costs $15 for adults and is free for children 15 years old or younger. Fourth graders can also visit all national parks for free by signing up for the “Every Kid Outdoors” pass.
While visitors to the popular park will save on entrance fees, they may need to budget for parking, which can cost up to $10 a day, and additional expenses such as touring Alcatraz. A day tour to the infamous prison starts at just under $50 per person and includes a ferry to and from the island.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Last year, Blue Ridge Parkway (PKWY) logged the second highest number of visits, with over 16.7 million. The scenic destination is located in Asheville, North Carolina, among the Appalachian Highlands. Visitors can drive through 469 miles of protected land that is home to some of the most stunning landscapes on the East Coast.
While visiting the famed Parkway is free, there is a charge of $30 per night for camping at the national park. Visitors may also want to consider the nearby North Carolina Arboretum. Admission is free, but the site charges $20 for parking. Another highly rated activity is visiting Sliding Rock. For an entrance fee of $5, visitors can take turns sailing down a 60-foot natural water slide.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Wedged between North Carolina and Tennessee is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (NP). While there is no entrance fee for the renowned park, vehicles parked for longer than 15 minutes are required to have a parking tag. Daily parking tags are available for just $5 and can be purchased online or in person.
While there is no lodging located within the national park, visitors can camp by obtaining a permit, making a reservation, and securing a parking tag. Nearby hotels cost anywhere from $75 to well over $300, depending on the season and the type of accommodations.
Gateway National Recreation Area
Visitors to the nation’s fourth most popular park, Gateway National Recreation Area (NRA), will find themselves immersed in history, beautiful locales, and breathtaking beaches. With over 27,000 acres to explore, visitors can spend days or weeks at the park located throughout parts of New York and New Jersey. While there is no entrance fee, beachgoers will need to fork over $20 per vehicle per day between the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day at Jacobs Riis Park and Sandy Hook.
Beach parking fees are collected at Jacob Riis Park and Sandy Hook between the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day. Parking is $20 per vehicle per day, or $100 per vehicle per season. Most guided tours are free, but staying near the park will cost you around $300 per night.
Lincoln Memorial
Another must-see on the East Coast is the Lincoln Memorial. Located in the National Mall, the site is free to visit. Parking, however, is pricey, with rates of $2.30 per hour at one of the meters located throughout the park. Other locations within the National Mall may require a fee or a reservation, such as Ford’s Theatre, which requires a timed reservation and costs $3.50 for a self-guided tour.
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