12 Most Affordable Mountain Vacation Destinations In The United States

There are endless mountain towns around the United States to visit, but with so many high-end mountain resorts, we wanted to find more affordable alternatives. One of the main vacation costs is accommodation, and we wanted to make sure that every location had hotels that were equal to or below the average, which range from $150-$180 across the United States.

We researched mountain towns with smaller populations to appease low budgets without sacrificing quality. These affordable mountain towns are spread across the United States, so no matter what area of the country you're looking to visit, there should be a location close to you. 

Our first stop is in Bryson City, North Carolina, a small town of just under 2,000 people that is known as "the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains." When it comes to lodging in Bryson City, there are a few affordable options. One affordable place to stay is Riverbend Lodging, which offers a king bedroom or 2 full beds with a river view for $109 or $114, respectively. 

Head 10 miles northeast of town to Smokemont Riding Stable for a couple of affordable, memorable activities. For just $50, experience an hour-long ride on horseback, trotting through the Oconaluftee River and wrapping around a 3-mile loop through the mountains. Or choose the family-friendly wagon ride and stroll through Old Turnpike Road, along the Oconaluftee River, and admire fields and historical stops along the way.

While enjoying your stay in Bryson City, you can fuel up for the day with breakfast at Everett Street Diner, and enjoy their biscuits n' gravy for just $8.25. 

No list of great mountain towns would be complete without a Colorado submission. Leadville, Colorado, sits 10,000 feet above sea level, so there is a majestic, 360-degree view of the Rocky Mountains. While Colorado is becoming a more expensive state, there are still some great hotel options in Leadville. You can stay downtown at the Historic Delaware Hotel, where prices run as low as $95.65 for a single room with a queen bed. 

You can visit the Healy House Museum & Dexter Cabin, a restored house filled with Victorian furniture that was once home to Nellie Healy and James V. Dexter, one of Colorado's first millionaires. A tour of the grounds and homes is only $10 per adult, while children get in free. 

If you prefer an activity shrouded in a little more darkness during the summer and fall months, you can take part in the Leadville by Lamplight Tours. There are several options, like the Historic Evergreen Cemetery Tour, where, for $35, you'll get the storied past of Leadville's outlaws, dance hall girls, immigrants, and more. Or maybe you'd prefer the Downtown Lamplit Haunted History Tour for $40. Here, you'll hear the stories of paranormal twists that merged with the history and location of the Red Light District, Doc Holliday, and Horace Tabor.

Even though this Southern California town of 10,000 people has become a more popular vacation destination, Crestline has still managed to maintain its affordability. If you want an atmospheric mountain trip, we recommend ditching the chain hotel for a mountain cabin. Stay at the Little Bear Cabin for as low as $150.59 per night (there is a two-night minimum). 

One popular Crestline activity is spending time on the water of Lake Gregory, so be sure to rent a kayak from $17 for a single to $22 for a tandem for a 1-2 hour session and enjoy fantastic mountain views surrounding the cool, clear lake, 15 minutes away from the LA basin. 

The Heaps Peak Arboretum is open 365 days a year, and while entrance to the arboretum is free, parking in their lot is $5, but you'll be exposed to countless native flora, local wildlife around the area, and proximity to local trails. When it comes to great food, no place has more variety than Mountain Cravings. From fish & chips for $15 to $6.50 Mexican dogs, single scoop ice cream for $3, and everything in between, you'll find great value and food here.

Tucked into southwestern Utah, Parowan, the "mother town of southern Utah" is a tiny mountain town around 3,000 people resting 6,000 feet in elevation and surrounded by dramatic scenery of the wild west. A lot of time people associate the word affordable with less. However, The Valor Hotel in Parowan is a perfect blend of affordability with high end lodging. Check out the numerous options, with double queen or king rooms available with the lowest pricing at $109 a night.

One of the best parts of a vacation is the spontaneous road trips to see new parts of the country for the first time. Take a drive along 51 miles of the Scenic Byway Hwy 143, climbing 10,400 feet to the summit, while overlooking the 2000-foot Cedar Breaks National Monument amphitheater for some of the best scenery in the western United States. You can appreciate the ancient history of the west by admiring the Parowan Gap Petroglyphs. About 10 miles northwest of Parowan is where you'll find over 90 panels and 1,500 figures, dating back to early American Indian civilizations.

After exploring petroglyphs or a long drive down the scenic byway, stop over to DeDe's Farmhouse Cafe, where you can get eight different omelets for $12.50 or great lunch specials at a reasonable price. 

Located in southwest Montana, Butte, once known as the "Richest Hill on Earth," is a consolidated city-county with Silver Bow County and has amazing accommodations amidst great natural beauty like the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. Check out Hotel Finlen in downtown Butte, a historic 1924 tower that offers charm in a retro-style inn, with affordable prices available, like the Historic Hotel Queen bedroom for just $139 a night.

One of the most memorable stops in Butte is the "Our Lady of the Rockies" tour, where you'll spend 3 hours taking a guided tour up to see the 90-foot statue on top of the Continental Divide. For adults, the price is $35 a piece, while seniors and 12+ are $32, and under 11 is just $15. An excellent stop to learn about an often-ignored story is the Mai Wah Museum, where for only $8 or $5 for kids and seniors, you'll learn about the history and culture of the Asian community out west. 

Butte has a decent number of restaurants that shouldn't damage your budget. Three Amigos has innovative Mexican cuisine and a relaxed atmosphere, where you can get burrito combinations for around $15 and a host of other delicious options around that price point.

The northeast rarely features in a discussion of great American mountain towns. However, Gorham, New Hampshire, located in the White Mountains, is an underrated and affordable vacation destination for mountain adventures. One of the best deals on our list is the rates at the Top Notch Inn. You can find every room from a standard double bed to a mountain view two queen room for under $90 during certain times of the year.

Check out the 3-4 hour moose tour for $35 per person. Experienced wildlife guides will lead you on a guided tour during the summer months for a safe journey to spot these massive creatures roaming through the White Mountains. Find out about the history of Gorham and the importance of the railway by stopping over to the Gorham Historical Society & Railroad Museum. Learn about the early years of Gorham, how the Grand Trunk Railway coming along in 1851, played a part in the advancement of the Androscoggin Valley and the local economy. 

A fantastic option for your nightly dinners is at The Notch Grille, with food and drinks made with local ingredients, at local prices, like The Notch Breakfast for $14 or Notch Wings for $15, all while sitting on the roomy deck overlooking the mountains.

Nicknamed the "Storytelling Capital of the World", Jonesborough, Tennessee, a quiet town of 6,200 people is just outside of Cherokee National Forest and will capture you with tales every October. You can book the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson for as low as $87 a night, making it one of the affordable places to spend the night on our list.

If you want to experience a mountain town at its best, come visit Jonesborough, Tennessee during early October for the National Storytelling Festival. Beginning in 1973, this festival brings in thousands of visitors for a wide range of entertainment. There are many separate ticket packages for the festival, but tickets start as low as $10 for a Ghost Stories Friday, and vary depending on how many day(s) and which tent performances you want to see. While the festival is a great reason to visit, there are year around activities that will keep you entertained as well. The Brights Zoo is a fun place to visit and for only $24 for a general admission ticket, you can view an addax, spider monkeys, pandas, red kangaroos, and more.

Downtown Jonesborough is a great place to find a wide variety of dining options during your trip. Main Street Cafe is your quintessential "Main Street America", with excellent classics at reasonable prices, like the grilled cheese for $6.50 or a turkey bacon jack or $10.75, among many other options.

Eureka Springs is an Ozark Mountain getaway bursting with creativity, boutiques, and mountain charm, while still offering plenty of attractions and activities. While you may not think of European charm in northwest Arkansas, you can find yourself at an old world European getaway when you stay at the Bavarian Inn Lodge & Restaurant, with rooms starting at just $109 a night.

Mountain bike culture is very prevalent in this corner of Arkansas. So why not take advantage by accepting the challenge of one of many trails available to you in the area. Lake Leatherwood Bike Park has two hubs and seven distinct trails of various difficulty levels, waiting to challenge you down the mountains. 

One of the most unique activities on our list takes place in Eureka Springs at Iris Photography. This unique business located on 1/2 Spring St is where you can have your Iris captured and turned into a 4 x 6" piece of artwork. If you want two eyes involved, it'll cost you $75 for a unique piece of personal artwork you'll have forever.

Arguably one of the most underrated mountain and vacation towns in the United States is Deadwood, South Dakota. Evolving from an old gold rush town to "The Las Vegas of South Dakota," Deadwood has dozens of fantastic vacation activities for both family and solo trips. A great place with affordable prices to relax after a long day is the Cedar Wood Inn, which embodies the peace of Mountain living, with close access to the Deadwood Trolley stop and the downtown attractions, all while being able to book a room for as low as $65.40.

Located in the northern part of the Black Hills National Forest, Deadwood is close to countless amazing locations to visit. Two of the most famous landmarks in the area are Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial, known as the largest sculpture in the world. Mount Rushmore is technically free, although you'll have to pay a $10 parking fee. Crazy Horse costs between $10 and $30 per vehicle, depending on the number of occupants. 

For lunch, Earl of Sandwich is a great place to get over a dozen sandwiches ranging from the Earl's Club to the French Dip for just $10.48 each.

Lying at the base of the Wallowa Mountains, Joseph, Oregon, is where the mountains and wilderness blend with artists for a unique, fun, and affordable vacation. If you're looking for a great motel with an unforgettable view, The Indian Lodge Motel is your place. Starting at $130 a night for a standard king room, the Indian Lodge is locally owned and operated and located near Wallowa Lake, Hells Canyon, and Eagle Cap.

A free activity to enjoy is walking down Main Street and admiring the bronze sculptures of Joseph Art Walk. You'll find a Chief Joseph Sculpture, Garden Walk Sculpture, or Running Raiders Sculpture, all in the middle of Joseph. By far the most scenic activity around Joseph is the Wallowa Lake Tramway. Buy a pass costing $50 for adults and $30 or under for students and youth, and then enjoy the breathtaking 4000-foot views of Wallowa Lake and the mountains surrounding the area.

During the tram ride, you can stop and head over to the conveniently located Summit Grill & Alpine Patio at the upper terminal of the Tramway, where you can grab a snack, lunch, or just a cold beer while admiring the spectacular views from their deck.

Maybe you want the feel of a European village vacation, without the long flight and big hit to your savings. Head over to Leavenworth, Washington, for a unique trip to the Cascade Mountains with a Bavarian Village that blends dramatic views with laid-back charm. Surrounded by fantastic views of the Cascade Mountains, Beaver Valley Lodge gives you unforgettable scenery for a reasonable price. Book a double queen bedroom for only $125 a night.

One activity that's bound to stand out is the Alpine Coaster at Leavenworth Adventure Park. This old school 1-2 person coaster costs $20 for adults, $17 for kids, and $5 for kids 3-6. If you want to get to know the area better and find out about its Bavarian history, book a historical walking tour starting at $29, which also gets you a seven-day pass to the Greater Leavenworth Historical Museum. 

When it comes to finding great restaurants, what's a Bavarian-style vacation without authentic Bavarian-style food? Munchen Haus is a family-friendly Bavarian Grill and beer garden, where you can try a Bavarian Pretzel for $8.95, Helga's Giant Kelbassi for $10.75, or an imported German draft like Hofbrau Dunkel.

Highlighted by the surrounding Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Taos has a more unique look than most mountain towns you'd envision. Color, adobe architecture, desert art, and an unbelievable 1,000-year-old world heritage site are some of the many ways that make this mountain town worth visiting. A great place to stay while in Taos is the Hotel Don Fernando de Taos, mixing stylish southwestern flair with upscale amenities. You can book a one king bedroom for only $136 a night.

The Harwood Museum is a great way to admire and learn about Taos artistic legacy. From traditional Hispanic work to late 20th-century artists, there's plenty to check out. Tickets start at $15 for adults and only $8 for students. One of the best ways to appreciate Taos history is 3 miles out of town at Taos Pueblo. Charging a $25 admission fee, you'll be able to wander the Native American community, designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark, that's been inhabited for over 1000 years. Made entirely of adobe, this collection of individual homes perfectly represents the Southwest architectural spirit.

While visiting Taos, you'll be able to experience fine dining at everyday affordable prices when you stop at The Gorge Bar and Grill. Choose great sandwiches like the club, reuben, or grilled chicken, all for under $20.

There are endless mountain towns around the United States to visit, but many are resort towns, which usually come with a higher price tag. To address this, we wanted to find smaller cities with a strong local identity and access to outdoor and cultural activities for both adults and families. Hotel prices were a key in our research, and we compared the prices of each location's hotel by using the same date for the stay.