Which place is cheaper, Denali National Park or Sedona?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Sedona 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.
Sedona is a striking, desert, and dramatic town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Denali National Park is a epic, vast, and rugged park. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the hiking.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Sedona than Denali National Park, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Sedona is well known for its stargazing, desert setting, and yoga retreats. Also, Sedona is famous for Red Rock Crossing Park. Denali National Park is well known for its vast wilderness and iconic Alaskan wildlife.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Denali National Park and Sedona. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Sedona is very good for its historical sights. However, Denali National Park is not known for its sights and museums.
Sedona offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The Sedona Heritage Museum offers a glimpse into the history and culture of the area. There are also many galleries around town.
Denali National Park offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Denali's Museum Collection includes more than 25,000 different items that reflect the region's history, culture, and geology.
Sedona is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Denali National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.
Sedona has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It's grown into a foodie destination with local restaurants that pride themselves on using local ingredients. Mexican food is common but you'll also find cafes, classic American food, and other international options.
Denali National Park may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. During the summer months there are restaurants open along Highway 3 as well as the Morino Grill near the Denali Visitor Center.
Sedona is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Denali National Park is not known for its evening party scene.
If you're looking for night time activities Sedona has a few options to choose from. There are bars, live music venues, and even a casino in town. Breweries are popular and there are also upscale wine bars.
People don't go to Denali National Park for the nightlife. Visitors come to the park to see the nature, not for the nightlife.
Sedona is a great town for its luxury resorts. Also, Denali National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice park for its resorts.
Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Sedona. Upscale resorts with spas, pools, and other amenities offer the perfect backdrop for a desert vacation.
Denali National Park has a few great resort options. Most visitors stay nearby the Denali Park Entrance. It has the most affordable hotels and lodges, some of which have a lot of personality. Alternatively, you could stay in the more remote area of Kantishna. These lodges are more expensive and all-inclusive, but they are also far away from most conveniences.
Sedona is very good for its old town. However, Denali National Park does not have a historic old town.
Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Sedona. Traditional architecture and historic charm give downtown Sedona a lot of character.
Denali National Park does not have a historic old town.
Sedona is a great town for hiking. Also, Denali National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice park for the nearby hiking options.
Many visitors go to Sedona for the hiking trails. It's red rock cliffs offer the perfect setting for dramatic hikes and breathtaking views. The colors are most impressive at sunrise and sunset and some of the most famous landmarks include Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock and Boynton Canyon.
Denali National Park has hiking trails worth exploring. If you're looking for a marked trail, there are limited options within the park. Those that do exist are located near the park entrance and are usually just a couple of miles long. Off-trail hiking is what makes for the most memorable experience. Make sure you stop off at the visitor center for information and knowledge before you venture into the wilderness without a trail. For obvious reasons, you should fully understand what this entails before beginning your adventure.
Sedona is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Denali National Park is not known for its shopping areas.
Known for shopping, Sedona draws large crowds to its stores. It's filled with local artisan shops and art galleries that highlight the region's beauty. Head to Uptown Sedona for some of the best boutiques. You should also check out the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village, the Sedona Art Center, and Hozho Distinctive Shops and Galleries.
Denali National Park has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There are several park stores and shops in and near the park where you can pick up gifts, books, and souvenirs.
Sedona is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Denali National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice park for its family-friendly activities.
Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Sedona is very family-friendly. There are impressive parks and fun outdoor activities for the whole family. Head to Slide Rock State Park where your kids can enjoy a natural waterslide. There's also the Out of Africa Wildlife Zoo as well as a canyon railroad.
Denali National Park is a family-friendly place to visit. Most people visit the park as part of a tour, so it's important to book a tour that is designed with families in mind. This will help ensure the kids stay entertained even during long bus rides.
Sedona is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Denali National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice park for couples.
For those traveling as a couple, Sedona has plenty to offer. Stargazing in the evening or picnicking in a park during the day. There are countless romantic activities that couples can enjoy. The area is filled with striking natural beauty that is at its best during sunset. Couples will also enjoy fine dining and a variety of outdoor activities.
Denali National Park is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy outdoor adventures and stunning scenery will find the ultimate romance in this impressive park.
Denali National Park is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sedona is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.
With so many budget-friendly offerings, Denali National Park is extremely popular for backpackers. There are millions of acres in the park as well as campgrounds, hostels, and vast backcountry (which requires a permit).
Sedona is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find campgrounds, RV parks, and motels in the area, but no real hostels.
Sedona and Denali National Park both offer respectable public transit to get you around.
Public transit is mostly limited in Sedona. Verde Shuttle offers shuttle routes through town.
Public transit is generally limited in Denali National Park. There are free shuttle buses that leave from the entrance area, but many visitors organize a tour to get around.
Sedona is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Denali National Park is not known for its ease of walking around.
Sedona is a somewhat walkable place. If you stay in Uptown Sedona, then the area is walkable, but if you're planning to stay further away then you'll need to have a car.
Denali National Park is not a walkable town. The park is vast and you need some form of transportation to get around, whether it's a private vehicle or a pre-arranged tour.
For even more information, also check out Is Sedona Worth Visiting? and Is Denali National Park Worth Visiting?.
It's fun to spend time in either Sedona or Denali National Park. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Sedona due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Sedona, and 2-4 days is enough time in Denali National Park.
Families should spend more time in Sedona than Denali National Park. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Sedona, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Sedona than Denali National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Sedona that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sedona than Denali National Park if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Sedona.
Sedona is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Denali National Park. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
Sedona is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.
Denali National Park is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Many people visit Sedona for five days. Sedona might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Denali National Park. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Because Sedona is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Hikers are also drawn to this area. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
Travelers enjoy the when visiting the epic destination of Denali National Park. This park offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Sedona is $165, 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 Sedona and Denali National Park in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Sedona 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.
Also for Denali National Park, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Denali National Park and Sedona 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.
For Sedona, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Sedona, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sedona.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Denali National Park.
Also in Sedona, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sedona and Denali National Park, we can see that Denali National Park is more expensive. And not only is Sedona much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sedona would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sedona 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 Sedona.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sedona Expensive? and Is Denali National Park Expensive?.