Menu
Home
Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New media
New media comments
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Home
Forums
Starting Out
New Blog Posts
America the Beautiful for Summer 2015 – Getting to Our National Parks
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
Reply to thread
Message
<p>[QUOTE="KennyBSAT, post: 21891, member: 30"]</p><p><a href="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/national-parks-summer-2015/"><img src="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/06/Big-Bend-300x224.png" data-url="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/06/Big-Bend-300x224.png" class="bbImage " style="" alt="" title="" /></a></p><p>The other day on Twitter I saw a few tweets that read ‘If I win a trip to Vegas, the first thing I’ll do when I arrive is (insert Vegas activity or something about some Hyatt or MGM property)’. Of course most of the people who fly to Las Vegas do just that – arrive, enjoy the Vegas activities and atmosphere and leave. Which is all fine and good, but in Las Vegas you’re in a sea of nice fake stuff built just for show, and just a couple hours drive from some of the most spectacular natural beauty in the United States. After awesome trips to national parks in Alaska and Wyoming this year, I wanted to put together a resource on getting to these treasures using miles and points. I’ve assumed that 2 hours from the airport to the park is an easy drive and about 4 hours is about as far as most people would be willing to drive after flying in. Oh yeah, and my tweet that didn’t win:</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px"></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">If I win a trip to Vegas, the first thing I’ll do is drive to Zion National Park! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NoHyatt?src=hash"><s>#</s><strong>NoHyatt</strong></a></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"></p><p></p><p>But maybe it will still win as the promotion might not be over yet.</p><p></p><p>Most Americans have one or more national parks within an easy road trip’s distance. But not all. From San Antonio our nearest national parks are 7+ hours away. And if you have miles, why not get out and see more of them even if you don’t have time or patience to drive 20 hours each way?</p><p></p><p><a href="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Arches.jpg"><img src="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Arches.jpg" data-url="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Arches.jpg" class="bbImage " style="" alt="" title="" /></a></p><p>Arches National Park, Utah. I wish these were my pictures…</p><p></p><p><a href="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Black-Canyon-of-the-Gunnison.jpg"><img src="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Black-Canyon-of-the-Gunnison.jpg" data-url="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Black-Canyon-of-the-Gunnison.jpg" class="bbImage " style="" alt="" title="" /></a></p><p>Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado</p><p></p><p><a href="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Crater-Lake.jpg"><img src="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Crater-Lake.jpg" data-url="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Crater-Lake.jpg" class="bbImage " style="" alt="" title="" /></a></p><p>Crater Lake National Park, Oregon</p><p></p><p><a href="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Everglades.jpg"><img src="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Everglades.jpg" data-url="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Everglades.jpg" class="bbImage " style="" alt="" title="" /></a></p><p>Everglades National Park, Florida</p><p></p><p><a href="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Gros-Morne.jpg"><img src="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Gros-Morne.jpg" data-url="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Gros-Morne.jpg" class="bbImage " style="" alt="" title="" /></a></p><p>Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland</p><p></p><p><a href="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Katmai.jpg"><img src="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Katmai.jpg" data-url="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Katmai.jpg" class="bbImage " style="" alt="" title="" /></a></p><p>Katmai National Park, Alaska</p><p></p><p></p><p>What I haven’t done is differentiate between National Parks. After all, if you live in Arizona the Everglades National Park might be the perfect place to go. And from Northern California you have access to National Parks within a day trip distance. Variety is good, I’m trying to find ways to see the parts of America the Beautiful that are beyond the scope of a practical road trip for your family. I have sorted the destinations based on my highly non-scientific assessment of how difficult it is to get a family to the airport in summer 2015 on miles and points.</p><p></p><p>It would be nice if there was a nice concise way to put all the info here on flying to get to U.S. (and a few Canadian) National Parks, but it’s kind of a challenge since what actually works for you will depend so much on your origin as well as your preferences for driving and other factors. I couldn’t decide on a table or a series of maps so you get both. Click on any of the park names to go directly to the park webpage for info.</p><p></p><p><strong>STATE</strong> <strong>PARK</strong> <strong>NEARBY AIRPORTS</strong> <strong>OTHER AIRPORTS</strong> <strong>AIRLINES</strong></p><p>Alaska <a href="http://www.nps.gov/dena/index.htm">Denali</a> FAI ANC AA, AS, DL, F9, UA</p><p>Alaska <a href="http://www.nps.gov/gaar/index.htm">Gates of the Arctic</a> (no road access) <span style="color: #ff0000">BRW</span>, FAI AS, DL, F9, UA</p><p>Alaska <a href="http://www.nps.gov/glba/index.htm">Glacier Bay</a> <span style="color: #ff0000">GST</span>, JNU AS, DL</p><p>Alaska <a href="http://www.nps.gov/katm/index.htm">Katmai</a> <span style="color: #ff0000">AKN</span> AS</p><p>Alaska <a href="http://www.nps.gov/kefj/index.htm">Kenai Fjords</a> ANC AA, AS, DL, F9, UA</p><p>Alaska <a href="http://www.nps.gov/wrst/index.htm">Wrangell-St. Elias</a> ANC AA, AS, DL, F9. UA</p><p>Alberta <a href="http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ab/banff/index.aspx">Banff</a> (Canada) <span style="color: #0000ff">YYC</span> AA, AC, DL, US, UA</p><p>Arizona <a href="http://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm">Grand Canyon</a> <span style="color: #ff0000">FLG</span> <span style="color: #0000ff">PHX, LAS</span> All airlines</p><p>Arizona <a href="http://www.nps.gov/pefo/index.htm">Petrified Forest</a> <span style="color: #ff0000">FLG</span> <span style="color: #0000ff">ABQ, PHX</span> All airlines</p><p>Arkansas <a href="http://www.nps.gov/hosp/index.htm">Hot Springs</a> <span style="color: #0000ff">LIT</span> All airlines</p><p>California <a href="http://www.nps.gov/chis/index.htm">Channel Islands</a> <span style="color: #0000ff">BUR, LAX, LGB, SNA</span> All airlines</p><p>California <a href="http://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm">Death Valley</a> <span style="color: #0000ff">LAS</span> All airlines</p><p>California <a href="http://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm"> Joshua Tree</a> <span style="color: #0000ff">ONT</span> <span style="color: #0000ff">BUR, LAX, PHX, SNA</span> All airlines</p><p>California <a href="http://www.nps.gov/lavo/index.htm">Lassen Volcanic</a> <span style="color: #ff0000">RDD</span> <span style="color: #0000ff">RNO, SMF</span> All airlines</p><p>California <a href="http://www.nps.gov/pinn/index.htm">Pinnacles</a> <span style="color: #0000ff">SJC</span> <span style="color: #0000ff">SFO, OAK</span> All airlines</p><p>California <a href="http://www.nps.gov/redw/index.htm">Redwood</a> <span style="color: #ff0000">CEC</span> <span style="color: #ff0000">MFR, RDD</span> AS, UA</p><p>California <a href="http://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm">Yosemite</a> <span style="color: #0000ff">FAT</span> <span style="color: #0000ff">SMF, RNO</span> All airlines</p><p>Colorado <a href="http://www.nps.gov/blca/index.htm">Black Canyon of the Gunnison</a> <span style="color: #ff0000">GUC, GJT</span> <span style="color: #ff0000">ASE</span> DL, UA</p><p>Colorado <a href="http://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm">Mesa Verde</a> <span style="color: #ff0000">DRO</span> <span style="color: #0000ff">ABQ,</span> <span style="color: #ff0000">GJT</span> All airlines</p><p>Colorado <a href="http://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm">Rocky Mountain</a> <span style="color: #0000ff">DEN</span> All airlines</p><p>Florida <a href="http://www.nps.gov/bisc/index.htm">Biscayne</a> <span style="color: #0000ff">FLL, MIA, PBI</span> All airlines</p><p>Florida <a href="http://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm">Dry Tortugas</a> EYW AA, DL, UA, US</p><p>Florida <a href="http://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm">Everglades</a> <span style="color: #0000ff">FLL, MIA, RSW</span> All airlines</p><p>Hawaii <a href="http://www.nps.gov/hale/index.htm">Haleakala</a> OGG AA, AS, HA, UA</p><p>Hawaii <a href="http://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm">Hawii Volcanoes</a> ITO, KOA AA, AS, HA, UA</p><p>Kentucky <a href="http://www.nps.gov/maca/index.htm">Mammoth Cave</a> <span style="color: #0000ff">SDF, BNA</span> <span style="color: #0000ff">CVG</span> All airlines</p><p>Maine <a href="http://www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm">Acadia</a> <span style="color: #ff0000">BHB</span> <span style="color: #0000ff">PWM</span> All airlines</p><p>Minnesota <a href="http://www.nps.gov/voya/index.htm">Voyageurs</a> <span style="color: #ff0000">INL</span> <span style="color: #0000ff">MSP</span> All airlines</p><p>Montana <a href="http://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm">Glacier</a> <span style="color: #ff0000">FCA</span> AS</p><p>New Mexico <a href="http://www.nps.gov/cave/index.htm">Carlsbad Caverns</a> <span style="color: #0000ff">ELP</span> All airlines</p><p>Newfoundland <a href="http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/nl/grosmorne/index.aspx">Gros Morne</a> (Canada) <span style="color: #ff0000">YDF</span> AC</p><p>North Dakota <a href="http://www.nps.gov/thro/index.htm">Theodore Roosevelt</a> <span style="color: #0000ff">MOT</span> DL, F9, UA</p><p>Oregon <a href="http://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm">Crater Lake</a> <span style="color: #ff0000">MFR</span> <span style="color: #0000ff">PDX</span> AS, DL, UA</p><p>South Dakota <a href="http://www.nps.gov/badl/index.htm">Badlands</a> <span style="color: #ff0000">RAP</span> AA, DL, UA</p><p>Tennessee <a href="http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm">Great Smoky Mountains</a> <span style="color: #ff0000">TYS</span> <span style="color: #0000ff">ATL, BNA, CLT</span> All airlines</p><p>Texas <a href="http://www.nps.gov/gumo/index.htm">Guadalupe Mountains</a> <span style="color: #0000ff">ELP</span> All airlines</p><p>Texas <a href="http://www.nps.gov/bibe/index.htm">Big Bend</a> <span style="color: #0000ff">ELP,</span> <span style="color: #ff0000">MAF</span> All airlines</p><p>Utah <a href="http://www.nps.gov/arch/index.htm">Arches</a> <span style="color: #ff0000">CNY, DRO, GJT</span> <span style="color: #0000ff">SLC</span> All airlines</p><p>Utah <a href="http://www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm">Bryce Canyon</a> <span style="color: #ff0000">SGU</span> <span style="color: #0000ff">LAS,</span> <span style="color: #ff0000">GJT,</span> <span style="color: #0000ff">SLC</span> All airlines</p><p>Utah <a href="http://www.nps.gov/cany/index.htm">Canyonlands</a> <span style="color: #ff0000">CNY, DRO, GJT</span> <span style="color: #0000ff">SLC</span> All airlines</p><p>Utah <a href="http://www.nps.gov/care/index.htm">Capitol Reef</a> <span style="color: #ff0000">GJT,</span> <span style="color: #0000ff">SLC</span> All airlines</p><p>Utah <a href="http://www.nps.gov/zion/index.htm">Zion</a> <span style="color: #0000ff">LAS,</span> <span style="color: #ff0000">SGU</span> All airlines</p><p>Washington <a href="http://www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm">Mount Ranier</a> <span style="color: #0000ff">SEA</span> <span style="color: #0000ff">PDX,</span> <span style="color: #ff0000">YKM</span> All airlines</p><p>Washington <a href="http://www.nps.gov/noca/index.htm">North Cascades</a> <span style="color: #0000ff">SEA, BLI</span> All airlines</p><p>Washington <a href="http://www.nps.gov/olym/index.htm">Olympic</a> <span style="color: #0000ff">SEA</span> All airlines</p><p>West Virginia <a href="http://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm">Shenandoah</a> <span style="color: #0000ff">BWI, CHO, DCA, IAD</span> All airlines</p><p>Wyoming <a href="http://www.nps.gov/grte/index.htm">Grand Teton Mountains</a> <span style="color: #ff0000">JAC</span> <span style="color: #ff0000">COD, WYS</span> AA, DL, F9, UA</p><p>Wyoming <a href="http://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm">Yellowstone</a> <span style="color: #ff0000">BZN, COD, WYS</span> <span style="color: #ff0000">JAC</span> AA, DL, F9, UA</p><p></p><p>Airports in Blue have generally good award availability on at least one program, Red are more difficult, and Black often require more miles or multiple awards.</p><p></p><p></p><p>What makes an airport easy to get to? It’s a hub, or has service on several major airlines or Southwest. For instance, Denver is about as easy as it gets for airport access. At less than 2 hours drive from Denver to Rocky Mountain National park, from the Central time zone you can make that a leave-home-after-5-and-be-home-the-next-night trip. We did just that in June 2013 and it was great! If a quick search for summer 2015 travel as of September 2014 finds little or no coach saver availability and Southwest doesn’t serve the airport, it’s not likely to be an ‘easy’ airport to get to using miles.</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px"><strong>Easy airport, easy drive:</strong></span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/EZ-NATPK2.gif"><img src="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/EZ-NATPK2.gif" data-url="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/EZ-NATPK2.gif" class="bbImage " style="" alt="" title="" /></a></p><p>Some of the airports with good access and within 2 hours drive of National Parks.</p><p></p><p></p><p>Burbank BUR <u>or</u> other Los Angeles area airports – Channel Islands National Park</p><p></p><p>Denver DEN – Rocky Mountain National Park</p><p></p><p>Durango DRO – Mesa Verde National Park</p><p></p><p>El Paso ELP – Guadalupe Mountains and Carlsbad Cavern National Parks</p><p></p><p>Fresno FAT – Yosemite National Park</p><p></p><p>Las Vegas LAS – Death Valley National Park (This might be better during a season other than summer. <a href="http://saverocity.com/theamericantravelproject/2014/03/16/death-valley-in-july/">Or not.</a>)</p><p></p><p>Little Rock LIT – Hot Springs National Park</p><p></p><p>Louisville SDF <u>or</u> Nashville BNA – Mammoth Cave National Park</p><p></p><p>Miami MIA <u>or</u> Ft Lauderdale FLL <u>or</u> Ft Myers RSW – Biscayne and Everglades National Parks</p><p></p><p>Minot MOT – Theodore Roosevelt National Park</p><p></p><p>Ontario ONT – Joshua Tree National Park (the other L.A. area airports are all more than 2 hours away but also possibilities)</p><p></p><p>San Jose SJC – Pinnacles National Park</p><p></p><p>Seattle SEA – Mt Ranier, Olympic, and North Cascades National Parks</p><p></p><p>Washington BWI or IAD or DCA – Shenandoah National Park</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px"><strong>Easy airport, longer drive:</strong></span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/NOT-EZ-NATPK.gif"><img src="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/NOT-EZ-NATPK.gif" data-url="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/NOT-EZ-NATPK.gif" class="bbImage " style="" alt="" title="" /></a></p><p>The drive is worth it! All maps courtesy of <a href="http://www.gcmap.com">Great Circle Mapper.</a></p><p></p><p></p><p>Atlanta ATL or Charlotte CLT or Nashville BNA – Great Smoky Mountains National Park</p><p></p><p>El Paso ELP – Big Bend National Park</p><p></p><p>Las Vegas LAS – Zion or Grand Canyon National Parks</p><p></p><p>Minneapolis MSP – Voyageurs National Park</p><p></p><p>Phoenix PHX – Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree and Petrified Forest National Parks</p><p></p><p>Portland, ME PWM – Acadia National Park</p><p></p><p>Sacramento SMF <u>or</u> Reno RNO – Lassen Volcanic National Park</p><p></p><p>Salt Lake City SLC – Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef National Parks</p><p></p><p><strong>More difficult airport access:</strong></p><p></p><p><a href="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/OTHER-NP.gif"><img src="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/OTHER-NP.gif" data-url="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/OTHER-NP.gif" class="bbImage " style="" alt="" title="" /></a></p><p>These airports may not be as easy to get to, but worth the extra work or miles.</p><p></p><p></p><p>Anchorage ANC – Kenai Fjords and Wrangell-St. Elias National Parks <em>Best access on Frontier and Alaska.</em></p><p></p><p>Calgary YYC – Banff National Park (Canada) <em>Some access on UA and AA, good access on US business class.</em></p><p></p><p>Deer Lake YDF – Gros Morne National Park (Canada) <em>Air Canada only using partner miles, via United or AC to Toronto.</em></p><p></p><p>Fairbanks FAI – Denali National Park <em>Best access on Frontier and Alaska.</em></p><p></p><p>Gunnison GUC – Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park <em>Some access on UA.</em></p><p></p><p>Gustavus GST or Juneau JNU – Glacier Bay National Park (no road access, take a boat from Juneau) <em>Access from Seattle on Alaska Airlines.</em></p><p></p><p>Kahului (Maui) OGG – Haleakala National Park <em>Good access, may require multiple awards and use of <a href="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/award-sweet-spot-west-alaska-hawaii-avios/">West Coast Sweet Spot</a>, Hawaii</em> rates.</p><p></p><p>Kalispell FCA – Glacier National Park <em>Good access but only from Seattle on Alaska Airlines.</em></p><p></p><p>Key West EYW – Dry Tortugas National Park <em>Some access on AA, DL, UA and US.</em></p><p></p><p>King Salmon AKN – Katmai National Park <em>Good access from ANC on Alaska Airlines</em>.</p><p></p><p>Kona KOA or Hilo ITO – Hawaii Volcano National Park <em>Good access, may require multiple awards and use of <a href="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/award-sweet-spot-west-alaska-hawaii-avios/">West Coast Sweet Spot</a>, Hawaii rates.</em></p><p></p><p>Jackson Hole JAC – Grand Teton Mountains National Park <em>Access on AA, UA and Frontier.</em></p><p></p><p>Medford MFR – Crater Lake and Redwood National Parks <em>Good access on Alaska Airlines.</em></p><p></p><p>Rapid City RAP – Badlands National Park <em>Some access on UA.</em></p><p></p><p>West Yellowstone WYS <u>or</u> Bozemon BZN – Yellowstone National Park <em>Best access is on Frontier. Some access to BZN on UA.</em></p><p></p><p>Good Luck NOT – Gates of the Arctic National Park <em>Actually you can theoretically get there from Fairbanks or Barrow, long drives to get there and no roads within the park. Buy Rent a plane. Or a dogsled. Probably not a doable family trip for most of us.</em></p><p></p><p><a href="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/F91.gif"><img src="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/F91.gif" data-url="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/F91.gif" class="bbImage " style="" alt="" title="" /></a></p><p>A few Frontier routes worth looking at.</p><p></p><p></p><p>I wrote about the possibility of using <a href="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/award-sweet-spot-frontier-airlines/">Frontier Airlines to get to Alaska</a>, but they may also be the best option for travel to these other Western National park areas via Denver. If you can get there on another program, great. If not, check out Frontier. Before Frontier began their push to serve the East coast, there were a lot more routes out here.</p><p></p><p>Since 2012 we have visited Big Bend, Grand Teton Mountains, Kenai Fjords, Rocky Mountains and Yellowstone National Parks. By all means take full advantage of the opportunities miles and points give you to travel around the world, but don’t forget the awesome sights that aren’t so far away. Is there a park or area that belongs on here or that I overlooked? Please let me know!</p><p></p><p>– Kenny</p><p></p><p><a href="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/national-parks-summer-2015/">Continue reading...</a></p><p>[/QUOTE]</p>
[QUOTE="KennyBSAT, post: 21891, member: 30"] [URL='http://saverocity.com/miles4more/national-parks-summer-2015/'][IMG]http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/06/Big-Bend-300x224.png[/IMG][/URL] The other day on Twitter I saw a few tweets that read ‘If I win a trip to Vegas, the first thing I’ll do when I arrive is (insert Vegas activity or something about some Hyatt or MGM property)’. Of course most of the people who fly to Las Vegas do just that – arrive, enjoy the Vegas activities and atmosphere and leave. Which is all fine and good, but in Las Vegas you’re in a sea of nice fake stuff built just for show, and just a couple hours drive from some of the most spectacular natural beauty in the United States. After awesome trips to national parks in Alaska and Wyoming this year, I wanted to put together a resource on getting to these treasures using miles and points. I’ve assumed that 2 hours from the airport to the park is an easy drive and about 4 hours is about as far as most people would be willing to drive after flying in. Oh yeah, and my tweet that didn’t win: [INDENT] If I win a trip to Vegas, the first thing I’ll do is drive to Zion National Park! [URL='https://twitter.com/hashtag/NoHyatt?src=hash'][S]#[/S][B]NoHyatt[/B][/URL] [/INDENT] But maybe it will still win as the promotion might not be over yet. Most Americans have one or more national parks within an easy road trip’s distance. But not all. From San Antonio our nearest national parks are 7+ hours away. And if you have miles, why not get out and see more of them even if you don’t have time or patience to drive 20 hours each way? [URL='http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Arches.jpg'][IMG]http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Arches.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Arches National Park, Utah. I wish these were my pictures… [URL='http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Black-Canyon-of-the-Gunnison.jpg'][IMG]http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Black-Canyon-of-the-Gunnison.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado [URL='http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Crater-Lake.jpg'][IMG]http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Crater-Lake.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Crater Lake National Park, Oregon [URL='http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Everglades.jpg'][IMG]http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Everglades.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Everglades National Park, Florida [URL='http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Gros-Morne.jpg'][IMG]http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Gros-Morne.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland [URL='http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Katmai.jpg'][IMG]http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/Katmai.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Katmai National Park, Alaska What I haven’t done is differentiate between National Parks. After all, if you live in Arizona the Everglades National Park might be the perfect place to go. And from Northern California you have access to National Parks within a day trip distance. Variety is good, I’m trying to find ways to see the parts of America the Beautiful that are beyond the scope of a practical road trip for your family. I have sorted the destinations based on my highly non-scientific assessment of how difficult it is to get a family to the airport in summer 2015 on miles and points. It would be nice if there was a nice concise way to put all the info here on flying to get to U.S. (and a few Canadian) National Parks, but it’s kind of a challenge since what actually works for you will depend so much on your origin as well as your preferences for driving and other factors. I couldn’t decide on a table or a series of maps so you get both. Click on any of the park names to go directly to the park webpage for info. [B]STATE[/B] [B]PARK[/B] [B]NEARBY AIRPORTS[/B] [B]OTHER AIRPORTS[/B] [B]AIRLINES[/B] Alaska [URL='http://www.nps.gov/dena/index.htm']Denali[/URL] FAI ANC AA, AS, DL, F9, UA Alaska [URL='http://www.nps.gov/gaar/index.htm']Gates of the Arctic[/URL] (no road access) [COLOR=#ff0000]BRW[/COLOR], FAI AS, DL, F9, UA Alaska [URL='http://www.nps.gov/glba/index.htm']Glacier Bay[/URL] [COLOR=#ff0000]GST[/COLOR], JNU AS, DL Alaska [URL='http://www.nps.gov/katm/index.htm']Katmai[/URL] [COLOR=#ff0000]AKN[/COLOR] AS Alaska [URL='http://www.nps.gov/kefj/index.htm']Kenai Fjords[/URL] ANC AA, AS, DL, F9, UA Alaska [URL='http://www.nps.gov/wrst/index.htm']Wrangell-St. Elias[/URL] ANC AA, AS, DL, F9. UA Alberta [URL='http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ab/banff/index.aspx']Banff[/URL] (Canada) [COLOR=#0000ff]YYC[/COLOR] AA, AC, DL, US, UA Arizona [URL='http://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm']Grand Canyon[/URL] [COLOR=#ff0000]FLG[/COLOR] [COLOR=#0000ff]PHX, LAS[/COLOR] All airlines Arizona [URL='http://www.nps.gov/pefo/index.htm']Petrified Forest[/URL] [COLOR=#ff0000]FLG[/COLOR] [COLOR=#0000ff]ABQ, PHX[/COLOR] All airlines Arkansas [URL='http://www.nps.gov/hosp/index.htm']Hot Springs[/URL] [COLOR=#0000ff]LIT[/COLOR] All airlines California [URL='http://www.nps.gov/chis/index.htm']Channel Islands[/URL] [COLOR=#0000ff]BUR, LAX, LGB, SNA[/COLOR] All airlines California [URL='http://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm']Death Valley[/URL] [COLOR=#0000ff]LAS[/COLOR] All airlines California [URL='http://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm'] Joshua Tree[/URL] [COLOR=#0000ff]ONT[/COLOR] [COLOR=#0000ff]BUR, LAX, PHX, SNA[/COLOR] All airlines California [URL='http://www.nps.gov/lavo/index.htm']Lassen Volcanic[/URL] [COLOR=#ff0000]RDD[/COLOR] [COLOR=#0000ff]RNO, SMF[/COLOR] All airlines California [URL='http://www.nps.gov/pinn/index.htm']Pinnacles[/URL] [COLOR=#0000ff]SJC[/COLOR] [COLOR=#0000ff]SFO, OAK[/COLOR] All airlines California [URL='http://www.nps.gov/redw/index.htm']Redwood[/URL] [COLOR=#ff0000]CEC[/COLOR] [COLOR=#ff0000]MFR, RDD[/COLOR] AS, UA California [URL='http://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm']Yosemite[/URL] [COLOR=#0000ff]FAT[/COLOR] [COLOR=#0000ff]SMF, RNO[/COLOR] All airlines Colorado [URL='http://www.nps.gov/blca/index.htm']Black Canyon of the Gunnison[/URL] [COLOR=#ff0000]GUC, GJT[/COLOR] [COLOR=#ff0000]ASE[/COLOR] DL, UA Colorado [URL='http://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm']Mesa Verde[/URL] [COLOR=#ff0000]DRO[/COLOR] [COLOR=#0000ff]ABQ,[/COLOR] [COLOR=#ff0000]GJT[/COLOR] All airlines Colorado [URL='http://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm']Rocky Mountain[/URL] [COLOR=#0000ff]DEN[/COLOR] All airlines Florida [URL='http://www.nps.gov/bisc/index.htm']Biscayne[/URL] [COLOR=#0000ff]FLL, MIA, PBI[/COLOR] All airlines Florida [URL='http://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm']Dry Tortugas[/URL] EYW AA, DL, UA, US Florida [URL='http://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm']Everglades[/URL] [COLOR=#0000ff]FLL, MIA, RSW[/COLOR] All airlines Hawaii [URL='http://www.nps.gov/hale/index.htm']Haleakala[/URL] OGG AA, AS, HA, UA Hawaii [URL='http://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm']Hawii Volcanoes[/URL] ITO, KOA AA, AS, HA, UA Kentucky [URL='http://www.nps.gov/maca/index.htm']Mammoth Cave[/URL] [COLOR=#0000ff]SDF, BNA[/COLOR] [COLOR=#0000ff]CVG[/COLOR] All airlines Maine [URL='http://www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm']Acadia[/URL] [COLOR=#ff0000]BHB[/COLOR] [COLOR=#0000ff]PWM[/COLOR] All airlines Minnesota [URL='http://www.nps.gov/voya/index.htm']Voyageurs[/URL] [COLOR=#ff0000]INL[/COLOR] [COLOR=#0000ff]MSP[/COLOR] All airlines Montana [URL='http://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm']Glacier[/URL] [COLOR=#ff0000]FCA[/COLOR] AS New Mexico [URL='http://www.nps.gov/cave/index.htm']Carlsbad Caverns[/URL] [COLOR=#0000ff]ELP[/COLOR] All airlines Newfoundland [URL='http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/nl/grosmorne/index.aspx']Gros Morne[/URL] (Canada) [COLOR=#ff0000]YDF[/COLOR] AC North Dakota [URL='http://www.nps.gov/thro/index.htm']Theodore Roosevelt[/URL] [COLOR=#0000ff]MOT[/COLOR] DL, F9, UA Oregon [URL='http://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm']Crater Lake[/URL] [COLOR=#ff0000]MFR[/COLOR] [COLOR=#0000ff]PDX[/COLOR] AS, DL, UA South Dakota [URL='http://www.nps.gov/badl/index.htm']Badlands[/URL] [COLOR=#ff0000]RAP[/COLOR] AA, DL, UA Tennessee [URL='http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm']Great Smoky Mountains[/URL] [COLOR=#ff0000]TYS[/COLOR] [COLOR=#0000ff]ATL, BNA, CLT[/COLOR] All airlines Texas [URL='http://www.nps.gov/gumo/index.htm']Guadalupe Mountains[/URL] [COLOR=#0000ff]ELP[/COLOR] All airlines Texas [URL='http://www.nps.gov/bibe/index.htm']Big Bend[/URL] [COLOR=#0000ff]ELP,[/COLOR] [COLOR=#ff0000]MAF[/COLOR] All airlines Utah [URL='http://www.nps.gov/arch/index.htm']Arches[/URL] [COLOR=#ff0000]CNY, DRO, GJT[/COLOR] [COLOR=#0000ff]SLC[/COLOR] All airlines Utah [URL='http://www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm']Bryce Canyon[/URL] [COLOR=#ff0000]SGU[/COLOR] [COLOR=#0000ff]LAS,[/COLOR] [COLOR=#ff0000]GJT,[/COLOR] [COLOR=#0000ff]SLC[/COLOR] All airlines Utah [URL='http://www.nps.gov/cany/index.htm']Canyonlands[/URL] [COLOR=#ff0000]CNY, DRO, GJT[/COLOR] [COLOR=#0000ff]SLC[/COLOR] All airlines Utah [URL='http://www.nps.gov/care/index.htm']Capitol Reef[/URL] [COLOR=#ff0000]GJT,[/COLOR] [COLOR=#0000ff]SLC[/COLOR] All airlines Utah [URL='http://www.nps.gov/zion/index.htm']Zion[/URL] [COLOR=#0000ff]LAS,[/COLOR] [COLOR=#ff0000]SGU[/COLOR] All airlines Washington [URL='http://www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm']Mount Ranier[/URL] [COLOR=#0000ff]SEA[/COLOR] [COLOR=#0000ff]PDX,[/COLOR] [COLOR=#ff0000]YKM[/COLOR] All airlines Washington [URL='http://www.nps.gov/noca/index.htm']North Cascades[/URL] [COLOR=#0000ff]SEA, BLI[/COLOR] All airlines Washington [URL='http://www.nps.gov/olym/index.htm']Olympic[/URL] [COLOR=#0000ff]SEA[/COLOR] All airlines West Virginia [URL='http://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm']Shenandoah[/URL] [COLOR=#0000ff]BWI, CHO, DCA, IAD[/COLOR] All airlines Wyoming [URL='http://www.nps.gov/grte/index.htm']Grand Teton Mountains[/URL] [COLOR=#ff0000]JAC[/COLOR] [COLOR=#ff0000]COD, WYS[/COLOR] AA, DL, F9, UA Wyoming [URL='http://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm']Yellowstone[/URL] [COLOR=#ff0000]BZN, COD, WYS[/COLOR] [COLOR=#ff0000]JAC[/COLOR] AA, DL, F9, UA Airports in Blue have generally good award availability on at least one program, Red are more difficult, and Black often require more miles or multiple awards. What makes an airport easy to get to? It’s a hub, or has service on several major airlines or Southwest. For instance, Denver is about as easy as it gets for airport access. At less than 2 hours drive from Denver to Rocky Mountain National park, from the Central time zone you can make that a leave-home-after-5-and-be-home-the-next-night trip. We did just that in June 2013 and it was great! If a quick search for summer 2015 travel as of September 2014 finds little or no coach saver availability and Southwest doesn’t serve the airport, it’s not likely to be an ‘easy’ airport to get to using miles. [SIZE=4][B]Easy airport, easy drive:[/B][/SIZE] [URL='http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/EZ-NATPK2.gif'][IMG]http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/EZ-NATPK2.gif[/IMG][/URL] Some of the airports with good access and within 2 hours drive of National Parks. Burbank BUR [U]or[/U] other Los Angeles area airports – Channel Islands National Park Denver DEN – Rocky Mountain National Park Durango DRO – Mesa Verde National Park El Paso ELP – Guadalupe Mountains and Carlsbad Cavern National Parks Fresno FAT – Yosemite National Park Las Vegas LAS – Death Valley National Park (This might be better during a season other than summer. [URL='http://saverocity.com/theamericantravelproject/2014/03/16/death-valley-in-july/']Or not.[/URL]) Little Rock LIT – Hot Springs National Park Louisville SDF [U]or[/U] Nashville BNA – Mammoth Cave National Park Miami MIA [U]or[/U] Ft Lauderdale FLL [U]or[/U] Ft Myers RSW – Biscayne and Everglades National Parks Minot MOT – Theodore Roosevelt National Park Ontario ONT – Joshua Tree National Park (the other L.A. area airports are all more than 2 hours away but also possibilities) San Jose SJC – Pinnacles National Park Seattle SEA – Mt Ranier, Olympic, and North Cascades National Parks Washington BWI or IAD or DCA – Shenandoah National Park [SIZE=4][B]Easy airport, longer drive:[/B][/SIZE] [URL='http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/NOT-EZ-NATPK.gif'][IMG]http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/NOT-EZ-NATPK.gif[/IMG][/URL] The drive is worth it! All maps courtesy of [URL='http://www.gcmap.com']Great Circle Mapper.[/URL] Atlanta ATL or Charlotte CLT or Nashville BNA – Great Smoky Mountains National Park El Paso ELP – Big Bend National Park Las Vegas LAS – Zion or Grand Canyon National Parks Minneapolis MSP – Voyageurs National Park Phoenix PHX – Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree and Petrified Forest National Parks Portland, ME PWM – Acadia National Park Sacramento SMF [U]or[/U] Reno RNO – Lassen Volcanic National Park Salt Lake City SLC – Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef National Parks [B]More difficult airport access:[/B] [URL='http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/OTHER-NP.gif'][IMG]http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/OTHER-NP.gif[/IMG][/URL] These airports may not be as easy to get to, but worth the extra work or miles. Anchorage ANC – Kenai Fjords and Wrangell-St. Elias National Parks [I]Best access on Frontier and Alaska.[/I] Calgary YYC – Banff National Park (Canada) [I]Some access on UA and AA, good access on US business class.[/I] Deer Lake YDF – Gros Morne National Park (Canada) [I]Air Canada only using partner miles, via United or AC to Toronto.[/I] Fairbanks FAI – Denali National Park [I]Best access on Frontier and Alaska.[/I] Gunnison GUC – Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park [I]Some access on UA.[/I] Gustavus GST or Juneau JNU – Glacier Bay National Park (no road access, take a boat from Juneau) [I]Access from Seattle on Alaska Airlines.[/I] Kahului (Maui) OGG – Haleakala National Park [I]Good access, may require multiple awards and use of [URL='http://saverocity.com/miles4more/award-sweet-spot-west-alaska-hawaii-avios/']West Coast Sweet Spot[/URL], Hawaii[/I] rates. Kalispell FCA – Glacier National Park [I]Good access but only from Seattle on Alaska Airlines.[/I] Key West EYW – Dry Tortugas National Park [I]Some access on AA, DL, UA and US.[/I] King Salmon AKN – Katmai National Park [I]Good access from ANC on Alaska Airlines[/I]. Kona KOA or Hilo ITO – Hawaii Volcano National Park [I]Good access, may require multiple awards and use of [URL='http://saverocity.com/miles4more/award-sweet-spot-west-alaska-hawaii-avios/']West Coast Sweet Spot[/URL], Hawaii rates.[/I] Jackson Hole JAC – Grand Teton Mountains National Park [I]Access on AA, UA and Frontier.[/I] Medford MFR – Crater Lake and Redwood National Parks [I]Good access on Alaska Airlines.[/I] Rapid City RAP – Badlands National Park [I]Some access on UA.[/I] West Yellowstone WYS [U]or[/U] Bozemon BZN – Yellowstone National Park [I]Best access is on Frontier. Some access to BZN on UA.[/I] Good Luck NOT – Gates of the Arctic National Park [I]Actually you can theoretically get there from Fairbanks or Barrow, long drives to get there and no roads within the park. Buy Rent a plane. Or a dogsled. Probably not a doable family trip for most of us.[/I] [URL='http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/F91.gif'][IMG]http://saverocity.com/miles4more/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/09/F91.gif[/IMG][/URL] A few Frontier routes worth looking at. I wrote about the possibility of using [URL='http://saverocity.com/miles4more/award-sweet-spot-frontier-airlines/']Frontier Airlines to get to Alaska[/URL], but they may also be the best option for travel to these other Western National park areas via Denver. If you can get there on another program, great. If not, check out Frontier. Before Frontier began their push to serve the East coast, there were a lot more routes out here. Since 2012 we have visited Big Bend, Grand Teton Mountains, Kenai Fjords, Rocky Mountains and Yellowstone National Parks. By all means take full advantage of the opportunities miles and points give you to travel around the world, but don’t forget the awesome sights that aren’t so far away. Is there a park or area that belongs on here or that I overlooked? Please let me know! – Kenny [url="http://saverocity.com/miles4more/national-parks-summer-2015/"]Continue reading...[/url] [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Preview
Name
Verification
What is the greatest credit card of all time, with 2x on Dining and Travel? (from Chase)
Post reply
Home
Forums
Starting Out
New Blog Posts
America the Beautiful for Summer 2015 – Getting to Our National Parks
Top