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10 Budget Travel Destinations with Affordable Activities

The United States is home to a bunch of affordable destinations and you don't need to make much efforts to find them. No matter what your interest is, there are always places you can check out on a budget. These destinations are safe and offer a wealth of attractions and culture that makes traveling there especially rewarding and enjoyable. It doesn't make a difference you're seeking a fun national park adventure, a beach escape or a small-town getaway, you'll discover plenty of budget-friendly vacation choices in this list:

Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon

The most affordable camping experience and the views from the North Rim of Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park are priceless. Stretching more than 277-river miles in length, the Grand Canyon located in northern Arizona is truly regarded as a natural wonder. Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Grand Canyon is being visited by nearly 6 million people every year. Hotel rooms can be very pricey at Grand Canyon but if you can bring your own bed and reserve a spot in one of the campgrounds for just fraction of a cost. It even offers a free shuttle bus service that will save money on car rentals and gas and avoid parking headaches as well.

Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park

Famed as the "Crown of the Continent", a dizzying array of natural beauty, the Glacier National Park is located on the border of Canada and Montana. A popular destination for hikers from all over the United States, this park features plenty of trails for all skill levels, ranging from the easy Trail of the Cedars to the challenging Grinnell Glacier. The scenic vacation facility boasts more than 700 lakes, countless waterfalls and two colossal mountain ranges, spread across more than 1 million acres that shelter a variety of wildlife. Visitors take benefit of park's free ranger-led activities, including daylong hikes and stargazing at Logan Pass, or go for a drive along Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Moab

Moab

Perched in between Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, this resilient town in eastern Utah offers opportunities for hiking, biking and rafting down the Colorado River. The largest city and county seat of Grand County doesn't have any shortage adventurous pursuits and visitors can choose to stay overnight at one of Moab's campgrounds that offers range of amenities. You have an option to bundle and save big time with the vacation packages and feel like kid once again and play with giant sandstone formations, canyon mazes, and thousands of natural arches. Camping is the popular way to view the Moab's clear night skies without an inch of light pollution.

Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville, North Carolina

Flanked in western North Carolina, Asheville attracts the nature lovers and adventure travelers from all across the United States. Go for a drive along scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, take a hike to breathtaking waterfalls in Pisgah National Forest or gain knowledge about Southern Appalachian plant species at the beautiful Botanical Gardens at Asheville. Save your precious dollars on accommodation by opting for a regular hostel or vacation rental downtown or test your wilderness skills on a camping trip. Visitors also like to time their visit for summer season when the town holds plenty of free music festivals.

Olympic National Park, Washington

Olympic National Park, Washington

Having almost 1 million acres of land to explore, Olympic National Park located in the northwest Washington state provides its visitors panoramic views of glacier-capped mountains, picturesque beaches and temperate rainforests. Well-known budgeted activities for the visitors during the year include fishing, exploring tide pools, hiking and stargazing. Travelers might get the opportunity to spot the exotic wild animals like elk, black bears, bald eagles and plenty of species of whales while making their way through the park. If you prefer warm weather and sunny conditions to enjoy your stay, visit between July and August. Bear in mind, this is the park's peak time of year, so expect a lot of crowds.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Travelers won't need heaps of cash to visit Santa Fe, New Mexico's capital city. Perched in the shadow of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Santa Fe's crispy atmosphere can be relished at any price point. Walk through Santa Fe Plaza, adore the art galleries lining Canyon Road or marvel at Romanesque architecture at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi – all free of charge. Use your dollars for the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, which displays more than 3,000 works from the late artist and offers free of charge admission for visitors younger than 18.

St. Augustine, Florida

St. Augustine, Florida

Whenever visitors think of state of Florida, their minds might think to Orlando's theme parks or upscale Miami Beach's buzzing atmosphere, but all of them overlook the country's oldest city. St. Augustine is stacked with historical landmarks, including Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, the Old Jail and St. George Street. Budgeted accommodations are easy to come by, doesn’t matter you'd like to stay in a boutique hotel or a cozy vacation rental. Also, downtown St. Augustine that sits about 5 miles northwest of St. Augustine Beach has a family-friendly shoreline with a splash park and a fishing pier.

San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio, Texas

Famed for the legendary Alamo and River Walk, San Antonio is persistently buzzing with lot of activities and things to do. On a bright sunny day, travelers can enjoy a relaxing picnic in Brackenridge Park or a leisurely walk around the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, which is complimentary for all to enter. The adventurous travelers who want to beat the heat by exploring Natural Bridge Caverns or splashing around Six Flags Fiesta Texas' water park should buy a Go City San Antonio Explorer Pass to save dollars on entrance fees to most of the tourist attractions in San Antonio.

Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Abode to numerous craft breweries and amazing boutiques (all of which let you’ve tax-free shopping), Portland, Oregon, features plenty of budget-friendly activities to keep you away from breaking the bank. The attractions of the city such as Powell's City of Books, and the International Rose Test Garden offers both free admission and a complimentary shuttle service between March and November for travelers from all parts of United States. Alongside, the city of Portland features a walkable downtown neighborhood that hosts completely free outdoor concerts in summer and a year-round farmers market being organized on Saturday mornings.

Destin, Florida

Destin, Florida

This Florida destination boasts of miles of white sandy coastline with plenty of public access points, making it the perfect low-cost getaway. Visitors can soak up the sun at the Shores of Crystal Beach Park or shell out some money to relish Henderson Beach State Park's pristine Appalachian quartz sand. After spending day of relaxation and lounging on the beach, stroll the Destin Harbor Boardwalk or walk-in for a free alligator show at Gator Beach. The most elegant four and five star accommodations in Destin average less than $200 per night, but for the cheapest rates, avoid visiting during the peak summer season.