24 Jul Best Nature Vacations on a Budget

Make Your Nature Vacations Affordable

Whether you don’t mind braving the elements or wait until the grass is green to go out and explore, many people love experiencing the beauty of the great outdoors. Planning nature vacations can be a fun way to pair your love of the outdoors with a relaxing and rejuvenating getaway. And the best part is, there are plenty of nature vacations you can take that won’t break the bank!

Acadia National Park – Maine

It’s no secret that the summertime is possibly the best time to visit New England with its warm yet not overly humid summers. And Maine is a fantastic state to go for one of your nature vacations this year. Acadia National Park is the only national park in New England. The park covers much of Mount Desert Island and is known for the beautiful lakes, lush forests, and breathtaking ocean views from the mountain peaks.

To get into the park with a car will cost you $25 for a seven-day pass. If you want to really rough it, $12 gets you a seven-day bike/hiking pass.

Mammoth Cave National Park – Kentucky

For something incredibly unique, visit the US’s largest cavern system in the great state of Kentucky. The section that draws in tourists is Mammoth Cave National Park. And while there are more than 400 miles of explored caverns at this location, visitors can only visit a small number of them. If you’re not adventurous enough to explore the caverns, the terrain above them is ideal for hiking, climbing, camping, and exploring.

Unless you take a cave tour, the park is free to enter. Booking a cave tour costs anywhere between $7 and $55, depending on the length and type of tour you choose.

Coastal Georgia’s Wildlife Refuges – Georgia

If you want some nature vacations where you can find plenty of thriving wildlife, visit and of the five state and national wildlife refuges located in Georgia: Wolf Island, Blackbeard Island, Harris Neck, Wassaw, and Reynolds. Be sure to bring your binoculars because you’re bound to see plenty of migratory birds and waterfowl. These refuges also offer free beaches for when you’re looking to cool down and relax.

None of these wildlife refuges charge for entrance. If you want to go fishing during your visit, a permit is required—$9 for residents and $45 for nonresidents.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks – California

Head out west to be wowed and amazed by the ginormous trees found in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. The adjacent reserves feature the world’s most massive trees and long mountain stretches. This area is prime for rugged hikes and a real playground for those who love to learn and explore the planet’s biodiversity.

The entrance fee to these parks is incredibly reasonable with $30 for a seven-day car pass, or $15 if you are just looking to walk or bike the area.