National parks are popular vacation destinations for families, travelers, and outdoor adventurers who are looking to get away to the great outdoors.

Many people have to take their financial situation into consideration while planning a vacation. The last thing you want to do is return home after relaxing and be stressed out because you spent too much money.

You will need to take into consideration costs for travel, accommodations, food, emergency expenses, transportation, resort fees, and activity fees.

Put together a financial plan and follow it before you leave home to avoid spending more money than you have.

Great Smoky Mountain National Park

One of the most popular national parks with over ten-million annual visitors in the country is The Great Smoky Mountains Park along the Tennessee / North Carolina state line.

Take a leisurely drive through 800 square miles of unspoiled Appalachia. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the view and highlights along the way.

You will want to choose accommodations that offer amenities to keep everyone happy, be near the best attractions in the park, and not break the bank.

This cabin rental in nearby Gatlinburg offers a variety of room options, activity discounts, easy-access to the park, fully-equipped gourmet kitchens, and great Smoky Mountain views.

Rocky Mountain National Park

With over 300 miles of hiking trails, gorgeous scenery, a wide variety of wild creatures, and some of the highest mountains in the continental United States, Rocky Mountain National Park is a great place to vacation to feel on top of the world.

What’s a vacation without a stay at the historic and creepy Stanley Hotel, a Victorian mansion where Stephen King wrote his famous book “The Shining,”?

If you are really daring, stay in room 217. Not only is it the presidential suite with amazing views of Rocky Mountain Park, it is also the same room Stephen King stayed in while writing his book.

The Stanley Hotel is also famous for its old-world charm with 140 restored and renovated rooms spanned over 14,000 square feet. It is also a member of Historic Hotels of America and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Yosemite National Park

Covering 747,956 acres of land with 800 miles of groomed trails, you will find ancient giant sequoias (one of three species of coniferous trees known as redwoods), a vast wilderness area, beautiful waterfalls, and the deep valley in Yosemite National Park.

You can choose to experience the park by air, on a bus tour, or on a stagecoach by taking advantage of the variety of tours offered at the park.

One of the great things about vacationing in Yosemite is that is doesn’t matter what season it is, there is always something to do.

During the warm months, you can fish, hike, or cool off in the river. Watch the leaves change during the fall. If you are interested in winter sports and activities, Yosemite can be your winter wonderland.

If you appreciate stunning architecture, beautiful interior design, and historic landmarks, the Majestic Yosemite Hotel (formerly the Ahwahnee Hotel) is where you want to be.

Stay in the same place where queens and presidents have been and enjoy the perfect balance of elegance, history, and hospitality.

Some of the amenities included at the Majestic Yosemite Hotel are children’s programs, gift shops, complimentary transportation, concierge services, meeting rooms, and laundry facilities.

Big Bend National Park

Big Bend is the largest protected area in the far west of Texas. It is located in the Chihuahuan Desert which is the highlight attraction of the entire region.

The park spans 800,000 acres of mountains, river, and desert. Float down the river on a raft, take a scenic drive to see the panoramic views of the mountains and desert, and enjoy the hiking trails.

If you want to stay in a small town while visiting Big Bend, Marta is a good choice for you. Located in far west Texas, it is a haven for big-city artists who want to get away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy some seclusion.

With a population of about two-thousand, it is best known for its visual arts scene with plenty of Hollywood history, film festivals, and pictorial representations of scenic desert views.