Explore National Parks for Less Using Points & Miles

Beginner‑friendly strategies to book flights, hotels, rental cars, and quick park trips using the points you already earn.

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How to Visit National Parks on Points

❋Flights on Points

Getting to national parks doesn’t have to be expensive. Use flexible points to fly into gateway cities like Bozeman, Phoenix, Vegas, and Denver—often for fewer points than you’d expect.

❋ Hotels on Points

From Moab to Jackson Hole, there are tons of hotels near national parks you can book with points. Many cost fewer points than a big‑city stay, making park trips one of the best redemptions for beginners.

*Rental Cars on Points

Rental cars add up fast. Use points, travel portals, or book through Costco to cut the cost and keep your trip budget-friendly.

❋ Beginner‑Friendly Credit Cards

You don’t need a wallet full of cards. A couple of simple, flexible options can cover flights, hotels, and rental cars for most national park trips.

Why Visit National Parks

Why Visit National Parks?

🌲 Reconnect with Nature: Escape the hustle of everyday life and find peace in breathtaking landscapes.
🦅 Discover Wildlife: Experience encounters with animals in their natural habitats.
🏞️ Adventure Awaits: From kayaking and camping to stargazing, there’s something for every explorer.
📚 Learn and Preserve: Explore the rich history and cultural heritage protected within these lands.

My National Park Trips Booked on Points

Glacier National Park

How we used points for flights, hotels, and a rental car to visit Glacier in peak season—without paying peak‑season prices.

How We Booked It
Zion National Park

A super easy Southwest + Hyatt combo that makes Utah’s red rock parks surprisingly affordable.

Zion on Points and Miles
Sequoia & Yosemite National Park

Sequoia National Park is where you go to feel small in the best possible way. Towering trees, quiet trails, and easy family‑friendly viewpoints make it a perfect long‑weekend escape. Fly into Fresno or Bakersfield using points, pair it with a simple hotel redemption nearby, and you’ve got an affordable national park trip without the stress or the price tag.

Sequoia on Points
Death Valley National Park

Death Valley is one of those places that doesn’t feel real until you’re standing in it. Otherworldly landscapes, salt flats that stretch forever, colorful canyons, and sunrise views that make you forget how early you woke up. It’s an easy national park to pair with Las Vegas, and you can use points for flights, hotels, and even rental cars to keep the trip affordable. Whether you’re chasing epic viewpoints or just want a simple, unforgettable day trip, Death Valley delivers.

Death Valley National Park
Glacier Bay National Park (Alaska)

Glacier Bay is the kind of place that stops you in your tracks. Towering glaciers, cracking ice, whales surfacing in the distance — it’s one of the most unforgettable days you can have on an Alaska cruise. The best part is you don’t have to plan anything complicated: your ship sails right through the park while rangers narrate the history, wildlife, and geology around you. Grab a coffee, bundle up, and watch the scenery change every few minutes. It’s peaceful, powerful, and one of those rare travel moments that stays with you long after you’re home.

Alaska Cruse Glacier Bay National Park
Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree feels like stepping onto another planet — giant boulders, twisted Joshua trees, and some of the best sunsets in the Southwest. It’s an easy, family‑friendly park with short hikes, fun rock scrambling, and endless spots to explore. We used points and miles to turn this into a simple, affordable long‑weekend trip, and it’s one of our favorite “quick escape” parks for families.

Joshua Tree

Best Hotels Near National Parks (Bookable on Points)

Hyatt

Hyatt Place Moab, Page/Lake Powell, and St. George are some of the best-value park hotels out there—clean, reliable, and bookable with low points.

Marriott

SpringHill Suites Springdale and Fairfield Bryce Canyon put you right at the park entrance without the price tag of in‑park lodging.

Hilton

Hilton’s footprint near parks like Jackson Hole and Las Vegas makes it easy to use points for gateway stays.

IHG

Holiday Inn Express Moab and West Yellowstone are family‑friendly, predictable, and often available for fewer points than you’d expect.

Best Credit Cards for National Park Travel

Chase Sapphire Preferred

My go‑to beginner card. Flexible points + strong travel partners = easy national park trips.
Capital One Venture

Simple redemptions that work for flights, hotels, and rental cars—perfect if you want a no‑nonsense setup.
Southwest Cards

Great for Utah, Arizona, and California parks. If you’re flying with kids, the Companion Pass is a game‑changer.
Hotel Cards

Free night certificates can cover gateway hotels and stretch your points even further.

Credit Card Points and MIles

Tools & Resources for Planning National Park Trips on Points

These are the exact tools, apps, and resources we use to plan our national park trips — from earning points to booking hotels to navigating the parks once you’re there. Everything here is beginner‑friendly and designed to make your trip easier, cheaper, and way less stressful.

Points & Miles Tools

Award Wallet
Keep track of all your points and miles in one place so nothing expires and you always know what you have to work with.
Point.me (or airline award search tools)
Great for checking flight availability across multiple airlines when you’re trying to get to gateway cities like Bozeman, Phoenix, Vegas, or Denver.
Hotel Brand Apps (Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, IHG)
Check point rates, availability, and free night certificate options quickly. Perfect for comparing hotels near national parks.
Credit Card Travel Portals
Chase, Capital One, and Amex portals are great for booking rental cars or hotels when award space is limited.
Trip Planning Tools

Google Maps + My Maps
Plot trailheads, scenic drives, restaurants, and your hotel so you can visualize your entire trip at a glance.
NPS.gov (National Park Service Website)
Your go‑to for trail conditions, closures, weather alerts, and reservation requirements.
AllTrails
Find the best hikes for your family’s skill level, read recent reviews, and download offline maps.
Booking & Logistics

Southwest, Delta, United, American Apps
If you’re flying into gateway cities, these apps make it easy to track flights, check in, and manage points bookings.
Rental Car Apps (Hertz, Avis, National, Turo)
Compare prices, track reservations, and check for upgrades. Great for parks where you’ll be driving a lot.
GasBuddy
Find the cheapest gas near national parks — helpful for long scenic drives.
Money‑Saving Resources

America the Beautiful Pass
If you’re visiting multiple parks in a year, this pass pays for itself quickly.
Grocery Pickup (Walmart, Target, Instacart)
Grab snacks, water, and picnic supplies on your way into the park instead of paying park‑area prices.
Restaurant Apps (Chick‑fil‑A, Panera, Starbucks)
Great for quick breakfasts before early hikes.