Arizona can be done cheaply if you plan around three things: the many federal sites that charge nothing, a single annual pass for the ones that do, and campsites that cost a fraction of a hotel room. The big costs to watch are the Grand Canyon's $100 per-person fee for non-US residents, tribal tour fees, and Havasupai permits, which cannot be discounted.
Prices are 2026 figures from the agencies that set them.
Free federal sites
These National Park Service units charge no entrance fee:
| Site | Nearest base | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chiricahua National Park | Willcox | No entrance or parking fees |
| Fort Bowie National Historic Site | Willcox | |
| Coronado National Memorial | Sierra Vista | |
| Canyon de Chelly National Monument | Chinle | Overlooks and the White House Trail |
| Navajo National Monument | Kayenta | Entry, ranger tours and Keet Seel permits all free |
| Hubbell Trading Post | Window Rock |
At Canyon de Chelly, the North and South Rim Drives and their ten overlooks are open all year without a fee, and the White House Trail is the one trail you can hike without a permit or guide. Canyon-floor tours with local operators cost extra.
Low-cost fee sites
- $10 per person: Montezuma Castle, Tuzigoot, Tonto, TumacÃĄcori and Pipe Spring national monuments. Children under 16 are free.
- $25 per vehicle for 7 days: Saguaro (both districts), Petrified Forest, Organ Pipe Cactus, Walnut Canyon, and Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki on one shared pass.
- $35 per vehicle for 7 days: the Grand Canyon, plus $100 per person for non-US residents aged 16 and over.
When a pass pays off
US residents: the America the Beautiful annual pass costs $80 and covers a private vehicle at every federal fee site. The Grand Canyon ($35), Petrified Forest ($25) and Saguaro ($25) already add up to $85. It also covers Red Rock Pass sites around Sedona. Seniors 62 and over pay $20 a year or $80 for life; current military, veterans and Gold Star families, people with a permanent disability, and US fourth graders get free passes.
Non-US residents: the nonresident pass costs $250 and waives the $100 fee for everyone in the vehicle. Two adults entering the Grand Canyon without it pay $35 plus $200, so the pass is close to break-even for a couple and saves money for three or more adults, before counting any other parks.
What passes don't cover: Arizona State Parks, Navajo tribal parks, the City of Page's Horseshoe Bend parking, campsites and tours.
A sample week of entry fees
Here is what one car pays for a typical northern loop (Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, Sunset Crater and Wupatki, Walnut Canyon and Montezuma Castle) at 2026 prices:
| Two US residents | Two non-US residents | |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon | $35 | $35 + $200 nonresident fee |
| Petrified Forest | $25 | $25 |
| Sunset Crater + Wupatki | $25 | $25 |
| Walnut Canyon | $25 | $25 |
| Montezuma Castle | $20 ($10 each) | $20 |
| Total without a pass | $130 | $330 |
| With an annual pass | $80 | $250 |
The pass also covers any further federal fee site for a year, and Red Rock Pass sites in Sedona.
Fee-free days (US residents only)
NPS waives entrance fees on fee-free days at all sites that charge them. In 2026 they are February 16, May 25, June 14, July 3 to 5, August 25, September 17, October 27 and November 11 (Veterans Day). Since 2026 they apply only to US citizens and residents; non-US residents pay the normal fee and the $100 nonresident fee. NPS had not published its 2027 dates on the pages checked in November 2026.
Arizona State Parks gives US veterans, active-duty military and National Guard members free day-use entrance on November 11 (Veterans Day), and 50% off day use the rest of the year for active-duty, reserve and National Guard members and for retired or service-disabled veterans.
Free transport at the Grand Canyon
The South Rim's shuttle buses are free and run all year; park once and ride. From September 12 to November 30, 2026 three routes run: Village (Blue), Kaibab Rim (Orange) to the South Kaibab Trailhead and Mather Point, and Hermit Road (Red) along the 7-mile rim road to Hermits Rest. In December to February, Hermit Road opens to private cars instead. The summer Tusayan (Purple) shuttle links Tusayan's hotels to the visitor center; its tentative 2027 season is May 22 to September 10, and riders need a park entrance pass.
Camping costs
| Where | 2026 price |
|---|---|
| Arizona State Parks campsites | $25 to $50 a night (plus $3.60 reservation fee; extra vehicles $15) |
| Arizona State Parks cabins | $35 to $149 a night |
| Lost Dutchman State Park | $25 hike-in, $35 non-electric, $50 electric |
| Homolovi State Park | from $25 (non-electric, November 15 to April 14) |
| Ten-X Campground (Kaibab NF, near Tusayan) | $10 per vehicle per night, May 14 to September 30 |
| Dispersed camping, Kaibab National Forest | Allowed at least 0.25 mile from Highway 64; other restrictions may apply (NPS) |
| Navajo tribal parks | $15 per person per night |
| Mather Campground hiker/biker sites | $6 per person per night |
| Grand Canyon backcountry | $10 per permit + $15 per person per night below the rim |
Mather Campground in Grand Canyon Village is open all year and bookable up to six months ahead; in late 2026 it is dry camping only, with no showers or laundry.
Other ways to save
- Stay outside the park. The NPS lists lodging in Tusayan, Valle, Williams and Flagstaff, and in late 2026 there is no in-park lodging anyway.
- Kartchner Caverns: the park entrance fee is waived when you book a cave tour.
- Lake Havasu State Park costs $20 per vehicle Monday to Thursday and $25 Friday to Sunday.
- Red Rock Pass: $5 a day, $15 for a week. A quick photo stop of about 15 minutes needs no pass.
- Free ranger programs: Saguaro's ranger programs are free once you have paid entry.
Costs you can't avoid
- Antelope Canyon: $15 per person Navajo entry fee, plus the guided tour.
- Monument Valley: the park page lists $10 per person plus $15 per vehicle; confirm at the gate.
- Havasupai: $455 per person for the 3-night campground permit in 2026.
- Horseshoe Bend parking, charged by the City of Page.
Details checked 6 November 2026.
