10 CHEAP Airports to Fly to for National Park Lovers This Summer

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4. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

  • ✈️ Flight Price Range: $130–$220 roundtrip
    🏞️ National Parks Nearby: Grand Canyon South Rim (3.5 hrs), Petrified Forest (3.5 hrs), Saguaro (2 hrs)
  • 🔄 Top Airline Deals: American, Southwest, Frontier

Phoenix is a sunny launchpad to some of the Southwest’s most iconic parks. With three major national parks within driving distance—plus dozens of scenic desert hikes and my favorite US destination, Sedona—you’ll get both value and variety.

Thanks to its status as an American Airlines hub and steady Southwest service, PHX is packed with flight options. Prices usually dip for early morning or red-eye flights, especially if you fly Tuesday through Thursday. It’s one of the best airports for flying in, renting a car, and heading straight to the Grand Canyon or Saguaro’s towering cacti.

With Going, you’ll regularly find sub-$200 roundtrips – sometimes even less if you catch a flash fare. Add in Phoenix’s cheap car rentals and wide-open roads, and you’ve got one of the best-value park trips in the West.

5. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN)

  • ✈️ Flight Price Range: $160–$250 roundtrip
  • 🏞️ National Parks Nearby: Yellowstone (1.5 hrs), Grand Teton (4.5 hrs)
  • 🔄 Top Airline Deals: Delta, Alaska, United, Southwest

Bozeman is the closest major airport to Yellowstone – and one of the most scenic landings you’ll ever experience. It’s small but mighty, with a growing number of routes and carriers offering competitive fares, especially in early summer.

Flying into BZN saves hours of driving compared to other airports, giving you more time to explore Yellowstone’s geysers and Grand Teton’s alpine lakes. While it’s not a budget airline hub, Going frequently finds sub-$250 fares from major U.S. cities, especially if you avoid peak weekends.

Bonus: Bozeman itself is a charming mountain town worth a day or two. With easy car rentals and a straight shot into Yellowstone, this is a smart move for anyone wanting to dive right into national park territory.

6. Glacier Park International Airport (FCA – Kalispell, Montana)

  • ✈️ Flight Price Range: $170–$260 roundtrip
  • 🏞️ National Parks Nearby: Glacier National Park (40 mins)
  • 🔄 Top Airline Deals: Alaska, Delta, United, American

Flying into Kalispell drops you right at the doorstep of Glacier National Park…no long drives, no layovers through major hubs. It’s the closest airport to the park and a no-brainer if you want to spend more time hiking alpine trails and less time on highways.

While FCA is a smaller regional airport, deals pop up more than you’d expect. Going frequently surfaces roundtrip fares under $250 from cities like Denver, Seattle, or L.A., especially in early summer before crowds surge.

Car rentals are available on-site, and within an hour of landing, you can be driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road or spotting grizzlies near Lake McDonald. For direct access to one of the most jaw-dropping parks in the country, Kalispell is worth every penny.

” src=”https://www.myglobalviewpoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Glacier-National-Park-Hike.jpg” alt=”Glacier National Park is one of my favorite hiking destinations” class=”wp-image-133518″ srcset=”https://www.myglobalviewpoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Glacier-National-Park-Hike.jpg 640w, https://www.myglobalviewpoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Glacier-National-Park-Hike-240×300.jpg 240w, https://www.myglobalviewpoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Glacier-National-Park-Hike-585×731.jpg 585w, https://www.myglobalviewpoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Glacier-National-Park-Hike-600×750.jpg 600w, https://www.myglobalviewpoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Glacier-National-Park-Hike-150×188.jpg 150w” sizes=”(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px”>

Glacier National Park is one of my favorite hiking destinations

If you’ve been dreaming of glaciers, wildlife, and vast untamed landscapes, Anchorage is your gateway. It’s the best base for accessing three massive national parks, including Denali, home to North America’s tallest peak.

Alaska Airlines runs nonstop flights from dozens of cities in the lower 48, and Going frequently finds summer fares in the $200s – a steal for a bucket-list adventure. Fly in, rent a car or hop a train, and you’re on your way to glacier cruises, bear sightings, and alpine hikes.

ANC is especially great for travelers wanting something off the beaten path. It offers surprisingly good infrastructure, easy rentals, and unforgettable road trip routes. If you want wild beauty without paying luxury prices, Anchorage delivers.

Seattle is a jackpot for national park lovers – you can hit three parks within a few hours of landing. Whether you want snowcapped peaks, lush rainforests, or rugged coastlines, SEA gives you easy access to it all.

Thanks to fierce airline competition and Seattle’s hub status with Alaska and Delta, fares stay relatively low year-round. I’ve often found fares under $200 from most major U.S. cities. Add in flexible dates or shoulder season travel, and you’ll unlock some serious value.

The airport connects seamlessly to the city via light rail, and rental cars are easy to snag for a quick escape to the mountains. Some of my absolute favorite spots in the Pacific Northwest are within 3-4 hours of the airport. If you’re looking for variety, accessibility, and savings in one trip, Seattle is a no-brainer.

Portland is one of the most affordable West Coast airports. It’s also a great launchpad for nature-packed adventures! You can pair your trip with a city stay, then road trip down to Crater Lake, one of the most surreal (and photogenic) parks in the country.

PDX is a hub for Alaska Airlines, which means frequent sales and direct routes from across the U.S. Going often finds deals under $200 roundtrip, especially for midweek departures. It’s a solid pick if you want national park beauty plus a cool foodie city to kick things off.

Bonus: Oregon’s scenic byways and forested roads make the journey just as rewarding as the destination. For flexibility, affordability, and killer views, Portland has it all.

” src=”https://www.myglobalviewpoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Mount-Rainier-destination.jpg” alt=”Mt. Rainier is a short drive from Seattle and Portland” class=”wp-image-133521″ srcset=”https://www.myglobalviewpoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Mount-Rainier-destination.jpg 566w, https://www.myglobalviewpoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Mount-Rainier-destination-212×300.jpg 212w, https://www.myglobalviewpoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Mount-Rainier-destination-150×212.jpg 150w” sizes=”(max-width: 566px) 100vw, 566px”>

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