Reader Participation Day: Do Rising Gas Prices Have You Reconsidering That National Park Vacation?

Published Date

April 20, 2011

With gasoline prices having already soared above $4 a gallon in some parts of the country, and the peak summer driving season yet to come, are you starting to reconsider your summer national park vacation?

Driving several hundred miles, one way, could deliver a real hit to your pocketbook by the time you return home, depending on your rig's mileage. But a national park vacation can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, too.

So tell us, is the park vacation on, or off?

(To help you calculate just what that national park trek might cost you, check out this American Automobile Association website that will figure the gas costs for you.)

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Comments

Submitted by admin on April 20, 2011 - 8:18am.

Gas prices are affecting our decision. We would like a long trip to Glacier from Chicago, but on a limited income......

Also affecting the decision are the increased rates in RV Parks and the increasing closures of State Parks and Monuments along the way.

Submitted by admin on April 20, 2011 - 8:32am.

We are hitting the road mid-May from Tulsa, Okla. to Yellowstone. We only have one vacation a year and save for it. We've never been to Yellowstone before and have been anxious to experience it. It would take a lot of financial strain to get us to not go. I would much rather go experience it eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches the whole trip than not go at all.

Submitted by admin on April 20, 2011 - 8:51am.

Already have reservations and will visit Glacier, Yellowstone and Rocky Mountain National Parks in September. We will travel about 6,000 miles from home to the parks and returning home but it's our time to enjoy life away from work and we'll just have to accept the increase in prices on everything (not just gas). The peace and tranquility I feel when in our beautiful parks is worth it. I'll cut back on something else before I'll give up this trip.

Submitted by admin on April 20, 2011 - 9:33am.

I'm with Anne and Anonymous, better to cut back eksewhere than forego a trip to our parks. I suppose gas could reach a price than would be prohibitive but it's not there (yet). Our annual parks trip will be to Oregon/Washington this fall. We plan on driving close to 2000 miles after flying into Seattle.

Submitted by admin on April 20, 2011 - 9:40am.

luckily, my friends & i are taking a honda civic hybrid on our huge colorado plateau-sierra mountain roadtrip! for the 5800 mile trip, it should only cost about $170 per person. in august we are taking my prius to yellowstone/grandteton/badlands, not sure how much that will cost yet.

Submitted by Lee Dalton on April 21, 2011 - 6:15pm.

I'm very lucky because I live in Utah where the whole place (almost) is a park. I may have to cut back on longer trips, but have plenty of wonderful places close by.

And maybe, higher prices may cut back on the use of ATVs and some of the destruction caused by them around here.

Submitted by admin on April 21, 2011 - 9:47pm.

Ya, maybe if gas reaches $10.00 a gallon the environment will be saved. Let's try out the theories. I believe that's what the goal is isn't it? Get used to it or change the dialogue.

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