8. Don’t assume that staying in a national park will be more expensive than the hotels and cabins outside the park. But be prepared to book accommodation in advance.
Avani in Yosemite National Park, California.
Michael Macor/San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images
Whether it’s campgrounds, cabins, or hotels, national parks across the country offer visitors a wide range of lodging options.
According to Haradon, many accommodations are reasonably priced.For example, a room in a hotel Crescent Lake Lodge at Olympic National Park Prices in Washington start at $108, according to the hotel’s website.
“Everyone thinks they’re more expensive than out-of-park accommodation, but that’s not necessarily true,” he said. “The Park Service wants to make them available to everyone, but you have to book in advance.”
For example, during peak season, Avani Hotel Haradon said Yosemite can fill up months or even years in advance. According to the hotel’s website, it’s one of the more expensive properties under the National Park Service, with rooms starting at $518.
