National parks are extraordinary. They protect some of the most iconic landscapes in the United States, from geothermal basins to canyon systems to alpine peaks.

But they also come with entrance fees, timed reservations in peak season, heavy traffic, and in some cases, months of advance planning.

What many travelers overlook is that the United States protects millions of acres of equally dramatic public land outside the national park system — often with no entrance fee at all. Managed by agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and state governments, these areas offer world-class scenery, hiking, wildlife viewing, and solitude.

Free does not mean undeveloped wasteland. In many cases, it means fewer crowds, fewer restrictions, and more flexibility.

Here are 13 national park alternatives that prove “free” doesn’t mean basic.

1. Custer State Park (South Dakota)

Alternative to Badlands and Wind Cave National Parks

Custer State Park spans over 71,000 acres in South Dakota’s Black Hills. While it is technically a state park and does charge a modest vehicle fee, it is often overlooked in favor of nearby national parks.

The park includes granite spires, open prairies, scenic drives, and one of the largest publicly owned bison herds in the world. Wildlife sightings are common: bison, pronghorn, elk, and mountain goats roam freely.

The Needles Highway and Wildlife Loop Road offer scenery comparable to many national park drives — without the same scale of congestion.

2. Valley of Fire State Park (Nevada)

Alternative to Zion National Park

Located about an hour from Las Vegas, Valley of Fire State Park is Nevada’s oldest state park. It features vivid red Aztec sandstone formations, petroglyphs, slot canyons, and dramatic desert scenery.

While it charges a modest state park entrance fee, it avoids the shuttle systems and timed-entry challenges associated with some heavily visited national parks.

Short hikes lead to arches, wave-like rock patterns, and panoramic viewpoints. In cooler months, it offers solitude rarely found in more famous desert parks.

3. Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument (Utah)

Alternative to Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks

Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Grand Staircase–Escalante covers nearly 1.9 million acres of canyon country, slickrock formations, and remote wilderness.

There is no entrance fee. Roads are largely unpaved in many sections, which helps limit crowds.

The monument includes slot canyons, waterfalls like Lower Calf Creek Falls, and vast stretches of desert plateau. Visitors willing to plan carefully and carry proper supplies can experience terrain comparable to nearby national parks — often without the traffic.

4. White Mountains National Forest (New Hampshire)

Alternative to Acadia National Park

The White Mountains National Forest spans over 750,000 acres and includes Mount Washington, the highest peak in the northeastern United States.

While certain trailhead parking areas require modest recreation passes, there is no general entrance fee.

The forest offers alpine hiking, waterfalls, scenic drives such as the Kancamagus Highway, and vibrant fall foliage. Unlike some coastal parks, much of the terrain here remains expansive and varied, with extensive backcountry opportunities.

5. Sawtooth National Recreation Area (Idaho)

Alternative to Grand Teton National Park

The Sawtooth National Recreation Area contains rugged alpine peaks, glacial lakes, and vast wilderness. The Sawtooth Range itself rivals more famous mountain ranges in dramatic appearance.

There is no entrance fee for general access. Camping and certain facilities may require small fees, but much of the area remains open.

Hikers can explore hundreds of miles of trails, often encountering far fewer people than in more famous mountain parks.

6. Organ Mountains–Desert Peaks National Monument (New Mexico)

Alternative to Big Bend National Park

This BLM-managed monument near Las Cruces protects over 400,000 acres of desert and mountain landscapes.

There is no entrance fee.

The area includes volcanic rock formations, desert basins, and historic ranch sites. It offers hiking, wildlife viewing, and expansive desert solitude comparable to better-known desert parks.

7. Adirondack Park (New York)

Adirondack Park is the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous United States — larger than several national parks combined.

It includes a mix of public and private lands, but vast portions are open for hiking, paddling, and camping with no entrance fee.

The High Peaks region offers challenging mountain ascents, while the countless lakes and forests provide canoeing and backcountry camping opportunities.

Its scale and diversity make it a serious alternative to crowded northeastern park destinations.

8. Hells Canyon National Recreation Area (Idaho/Oregon)

Hells Canyon is the deepest river gorge in North America — deeper than the Grand Canyon.

Managed primarily by the U.S. Forest Service, much of the recreation area is free to access.

The Snake River runs through dramatic canyon walls, and opportunities include rafting, hiking, and wildlife observation. The remoteness limits crowd levels, making it a powerful experience for travelers seeking dramatic terrain without high visitation.

9. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (Nevada)

Located just outside Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon features towering sandstone cliffs and desert hiking trails.

While it does charge a modest per-vehicle fee, it offers dramatic desert scenery without requiring long-distance travel into more remote parks.

The 13-mile scenic drive and numerous hiking trails provide access to rock formations and wildlife habitat within easy reach of a major city.

10. Ozark National Scenic Riverways (Missouri)

The Ozark National Scenic Riverways protect clear spring-fed rivers suitable for canoeing and kayaking.

Managed by the National Park Service but free to enter, the area offers a different kind of wilderness experience: water-based recreation, forested bluffs, and natural springs.

Floating the Current or Jacks Fork rivers provides immersion in protected landscapes without the large crowds found in more famous national parks.

11. Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (Montana/Wyoming)

Straddling the Montana–Wyoming border, Bighorn Canyon offers dramatic canyon scenery, a large reservoir, and extensive hiking trails.

There is no entrance fee.

The area supports wildlife such as wild horses, bighorn sheep, and raptors. Its scale and relative remoteness mean visitors can experience expansive canyon views with minimal congestion.

12. Allegheny National Forest (Pennsylvania)

Allegheny National Forest covers over 500,000 acres of forested terrain in northwestern Pennsylvania.

It offers hiking, boating, camping, and fall foliage viewing without a general entrance fee.

The forest’s rolling hills and reservoir scenery provide accessible outdoor experiences in the eastern United States without the crowd density of more famous parks.

13. North Cascades Highway Corridor (Washington State)

While North Cascades National Park itself exists, much of the surrounding national forest land and scenic corridor offers free access.

The North Cascades Highway passes through dramatic alpine terrain with snow-capped peaks, turquoise lakes, and forested valleys.

Numerous trailheads and viewpoints are accessible without paying national park entrance fees, allowing travelers to experience similar alpine grandeur.

Why Free Doesn’t Mean Basic

Public land in the United States is managed by multiple agencies beyond the National Park Service. Bureau of Land Management areas, national forests, wildlife refuges, and state parks collectively protect hundreds of millions of acres.

Entrance fees in national parks help fund infrastructure and conservation, but free access does not imply inferior scenery. In many cases, it means fewer developed amenities — not fewer natural wonders.

Free areas often offer:

• Greater flexibility in camping 
• Fewer timed-entry restrictions 
• More solitude 
• Larger undeveloped spaces 

They may require more self-sufficiency, but that tradeoff often enhances the experience.

What to Consider Before Choosing an Alternative

Free or low-cost destinations sometimes require:

• Extra planning for water and supplies 
• Checking road conditions 
• Greater awareness of weather 
• Navigation skills in less-marked areas 

They may lack large visitor centers or extensive services. But for many travelers, that is part of the appeal.

The Real Takeaway

National parks deserve their fame. But they are only one part of America’s public lands system.

From desert monuments to alpine forests to river canyons, countless protected areas offer dramatic landscapes without high entrance fees or overwhelming crowds.

Free doesn’t mean basic.

Sometimes, it means quieter.

Sometimes, it means wilder.

And sometimes, it means discovering that the most powerful landscapes don’t require a ticket at all.