Glacier National Park on a Budget- How We Saved
Visiting Glacier National Park doesn’t have to be expensive. With smart planning, points and miles, and a few strategic choices, you can explore one of America’s most stunning national parks for less than you think. Here’s exactly how I kept my total trip cost to $700, including lodging, transportation, food, and park fees — and how you can do it too.
Many Glacier
🌎 Wondering where points can take you? Here’s where I’ve gone using miles, points, and clever hacks. See My Redemptions → Real Points & Miles Adventures
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Why Glacier National Park Is Perfect for Budget Travelers
Glacier is one of the best national parks for travelers who want big adventure without big spending. Most of the park’s highlights — hiking trails, scenic drives, wildlife viewing, and lakes — are completely free. With a little planning, you can stretch your dollars (and points) even further.
Check out full Glacier Itinerary here -> kalispell to glacier national park
How I Saved on Lodging Using Points
Hotels near Glacier can get pricey in peak season, but using points makes a huge difference. I booked Marriott Towne Place Suites Kalispell using Free Night Certificates I got from a sign up bonus from my Marriott Bonvoy Chase Card, which brought my lodging cost to zero.
When the FNC hit my account, I got to work on trip planning. My husband gets a limited number of vacation days each year, so I try hard to take advantage of long weekends to maximize our travel when you travel for free or this cheap. Why not? There are only a few Marriott properties in this area of Montana. None of them looked too fancy, but this is an Outdoorsy trip. We needed somewhere clean to sleep, shower, etc. I booked four free nights at the TownSuites Whitefish/Kalispell. This ended up being a great location for our trip and we enjoyed staying at this location.
Don’t have Free Night Certificates. Here are my tips for saving on lodging:
Book early — Glacier sells out fast
Use flexible currencies like Chase Ultimate Rewards
Look for hotels in Kalispell or Whitefish for better value
Consider a mix of points + cash if availability is limited
If you’re planning a national park trip and want to stretch your points further, check out my reviews of Hyatt and Marriott properties we’ve stayed at using points.
Flights for Free Using Miles
Flights into Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) can be expensive, especially in summer. I used Delta Skymiles to cover the full cost of my ticket and my husband’s. This is such a quick trip that I decided to fly into Kalispell. We used my husband’s Delta miles (from a sign-up bonus and maybe a few from work travel) for two free flights in Kalispell. A few months later, our son Tanner mentioned he wanted to do this trip with us. He couldn’t believe we didn’t invite him. I didn’t have enough Delta miles to book him a free ticket. I looked at moving my Amex rewards to Delta. I had about 400,000 points, but I wanted those for trips to Europe. I decided to buy him a ticket. It was $500. It really did hurt me to buy a plane ticket. I haven’t paid for a ticket in years. However, I thought this was the smarter move, and we are so lucky our 16-year-old still wants to spend time with us.
More ways to save on flights:
Search nearby airports like Missoula (MSO)
Use the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Preferred to transfer points
Set price alerts early
Fly midweek for better award availability
This isn’t the only national park we’ve done on a budget. Here’s how we’ve saved on other parks too.
Transportation: How to Save on Car Rentals
A rental car gives you the most flexibility in Glacier. When I started looking at rental cars, I was stunned to see they were expensive. I booked a car for over $700 through Costco. I knew I could cancel if I found a better deal. At one point in my search, nothing was less than $1000 for our trip. Luckily, that changed. I rebooked the rental car through Capital One for $300. I then used $108 left over Capital Travel credit to get the car down to $195.
More ways to save:
Compare prices across multiple rental sites
Book early and re-check rates
Consider Turo for peak season
Avoid airport surcharges when possible
How to Eat Cheap in Glacier
Food adds up quickly, but you can keep costs low with a few simple strategies:
Stock up on groceries in Kalispell
Pack lunches for hikes
Choose affordable local spots in Columbia Falls or Whitefish
Bring reusable water bottles to avoid buying drinks
Best Time to Visit Glacier National Park on a Budget
The cheapest times to visit are:
Late June (before peak crowds)
Early September (after families return to school), this is when we went, and we had a great time!
Shoulder season = lower lodging prices, better award availability, and fewer crowds.
What I’d Do Differently Next Time
Even with a $700 budget, there are a few things I’d tweak:
Add an extra day in Many Glacier
Bring more snacks to avoid overpriced park stores
FAQ: Glacier National Park on a Budget
How much does a Glacier National Park trip cost? Most travelers spend $1,500–$3,000, but with points and smart planning, you can do it for far less.
Is Glacier National Park good for budget travelers? Yes — most activities are free, and you can save big with points and miles.
What’s the cheapest time to visit Glacier? Late June and early September offer the best mix of value and accessibility.
Do I need a car in Glacier? A car is helpful, but the park shuttle can reduce costs if you plan carefully.
Final Thoughts
Glacier National Park is absolutely doable on a budget — especially when you combine points, miles, and smart planning. Whether you’re a family, a beginner traveler, or someone who loves maximizing value, this park delivers huge adventure for a surprisingly low cost. I am so glad my son Tanner invited himself to join uson this trip. He says this is one of his favorite trips we have done together. I am so thankful for points and miles that help us maximize our travel.
Let’s Travel Hack Together:
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Ultimate Beginner guide to travel hacking
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