Which place is cheaper, Denali National Park or Hot Springs?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hot Springs or Denali National Park?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hot Springs or Denali National Park? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Hot Springs or Denali National Park?
Hot Springs
Hot Springs is a popular resort city in central Arkansas. It's location in the Ouachita Mountains make it a convenient base for exploring the area's natural hot springs, from which the city gets its name. The city is also home to Hot Springs National Park, which have long been believed to have healing properties. Today many spas have popped up around the hot springs.
Denali National Park
There is a place in Alaska, 240 miles wide, where you can be a part of the wild frontier. The expansive and untouched area of Denali National Park welcomes thousands of visitors ever year with stunning natural wonders and incredible wildlife like grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou and more.
As home to North America's tallest peak, Denali has attracted nature adventurers from all over the world. Established in 1917 as wildlife refuge, Denali National Park contains areas of tundra and taiga. Taiga zones are covered in evergreen, spruce and aspen trees, while tundra zones are full of miniaturized versions of the plants including flowers, mosses and shrubs.
Remember that the weather changes without warning in Denali. It is a well known to the locals that you can expect sun, wind, rain and clouds in the same day. Pack accordingly.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHot Springs $182Denali National Park $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $182, while the average daily cost in Denali National Park is $218. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Hot Springs and Denali National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHot Springs $100Denali National Park $116
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHot Springs $200Denali National Park $232
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Denali National Park
Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or Denali National Park? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Hot Springs Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hot Springs $47Denali National Park $76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hot Springs
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hot Springs:
- Hot Springs Resorts to Memphis Airport (MEM) Departure Transfer: $143
- Private Departure Transfer from Hot Springs Resort to Little Rock: $71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Denali National Park
Also for Denali National Park, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shuttle Transfer: Anchorage ↔ Denali National Park: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or Denali National Park?
Prices for flights to both Denali National Park and Hot Springs change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayHot Springs $52Denali National Park $57
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hot Springs $30Denali National Park $30
Tours and Activities in Hot Springs
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hot Springs are as follows:
- Hot Springs, AR: Magic Springs Theme & Water Park Ticket: $44
- Small-Group Zipline Tour in Hot Springs: $67
Tours and Activities in Denali National Park
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Denali National Park.
- 2.5-Hour Denali Wilderness ATV Adventure Tour: $79
- Midnight Sun ATV Adventure 2.5 Hour Tour: $79
- Denali ATV Trailblazer 3.5 Hour Tour : $114
- 3 Hour Naturalist Walking Tour in Denali National Park: $119
- Denali National Park Walking Tour: $125
- Wilds of Alaska Classic ATV Adventure: $140
- Classic ATV Adventure with Back Country Dining: $150
- Alaskan Back Country Side by Side ATV Adventure with Meal: $150
- Denali Park Zipline Adventure: $165
- 5-Hour Mountain Hiking Tour in Denali: $169
- Half-Day Sled Dog Experience: $175
- 4 Hour Off-Trail Hiking Tour in Denali: $199
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHot Springs $22Denali National Park $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hot Springs and Denali National Park, we can see that Denali National Park is more expensive. And not only is Hot Springs much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hot Springs would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hot Springs and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Denali National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Denali National Park than you might in Hot Springs.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hot Springs Expensive? and Is Denali National Park Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Hot Springs or Denali National Park?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Hot Springs or Denali National Park in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Denali National Park. Also, many travelers come to Denali National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Hot Springs is much warmer than Denali National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hot Springs in July average around 83°F (28°C), and Denali National Park averages at about 60°F (15°C).
Hot Springs usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Denali National Park. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHot Springs 83°F (28°C)Denali National Park 60°F (15°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Denali National Park in the Autumn?
Both Denali National Park and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Denali National Park in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Denali National Park can get quite cold in the autumn. In October, Hot Springs is generally much warmer than Denali National Park. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 64°F (18°C), and Denali National Park fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).
In October, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Denali National Park. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHot Springs 64°F (18°C)Denali National Park 32°F (0°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Denali National Park in the Winter?
Both Denali National Park and Hot Springs during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Denali National Park for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Denali National Park can be very cold during winter. Hot Springs can get quite cold in the winter. Hot Springs is much warmer than Denali National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 40°F (4°C) in January, and Denali National Park fluctuates around 11°F (-12°C).
Hot Springs usually gets more rain in January than Denali National Park. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHot Springs 40°F (4°C)Denali National Park 11°F (-12°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Denali National Park in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Denali National Park. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Denali National Park because of the natural beauty.
The weather in Denali National Park can be very cold. In the spring, Hot Springs is much warmer than Denali National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hot Springs in April average around 65°F (18°C), and Denali National Park averages at about 34°F (1°C).
Hot Springs gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Denali National Park. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHot Springs 65°F (18°C)Denali National Park 34°F (1°C)
Typical Weather for Denali National Park and Hot Springs
| Hot Springs | Denali National Park | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 11°F (-12°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) |
| Feb | 45°F (7°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 16°F (-9°C) | 1.4 inches (37 mm) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.5 inches (37 mm) |
| Apr | 65°F (18°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 34°F (1°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| Jun | 79°F (26°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 60°F (15°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 56°F (14°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 47°F (9°C) | 4.2 inches (108 mm) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 32°F (0°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 5.1 inches (130 mm) | 18°F (-8°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) | 13°F (-11°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.