With the economy on the downward slide it may be time to think about how to still enjoy a vacation without the high costs. You may have to do without five star resorts, room service and tropical islands but it is possible to still have a fun vacation without breaking the bank. It is possible to travel in the United States for less than you might think if you plan ahead. There are lots of options all over the country for a low cost vacation.

The USA offers a stunning variety of landscapes, national parks, beaches and famous landmarks. These national parks afford families the opportunity to witness some of the earth's most spectacular scenery. These places are often entered at a nominal cost per vehicle, usually in the $20 to $30 range. The majority of national parks have well priced camping facilities and offer a range of facilities such as washrooms, laundry and supply stores. One great way to see the land for cheap is to bring self-contained accommodation, such as tents, RVs, and campers. RV facilities are available at most national parks for a slightly higher charge; these sites afford the basic hook-ups for travel trailers and motor homes.

Camping can also save money in other ways; rather than dining out each night at a restaurant you can cook your own meals. Cook over the fire or cook in your RV; campfires are all part of the experience so keep your budget down by cooking a bit of food over the flames. Holiday accommodations, including hotel rooms, camp sites and more can be found year round in many national parks.

National parks, such as Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Grand Canyon National Park afford guests with the opportunity to witness some of nature's most gorgeous scenery at no cost. Once you pay to enter the Grand Canyon, you can see the views, hike into the canyon, and see the various features and animals for free. The only costs involved are extra activities, camping, food, and gas. Extra activities include things like boating, renting canoes, fishing, renting ATVs, and horseback riding. Those things, for the most part, come at little cost; the only expensive things on the list are ATVs and renting boats. You and your entire family will amazed by the picturesque, rustic settings and the adventure of seeing some of nature's finest. A camping trip to a national park is one budget vacation that will be remembered forever!

Vacationing is never that inexpensive, however, there are things that can be done to keep costs down. Camping and motor homes are two ways in which travelers save on accommodations. Barbecues and sandwich/ drink coolers are two ideas to save money on food costs while traveling. Keep the activities simple by doing things like fishing, hiking, canoeing, and sight-seeing, which will keep costs down.