Selling at Painted Tree Boutiques: My Honest Experience as a Small Business Owner

Is Painted Tree Worth It for Makers and Small Businesses? A Vendor’s Real Experience

As the owner of Parks Art Collection, a small business that celebrates the beauty of national parks and public lands through hand-painted and laser-engraved wood art, I’m always looking for creative ways to reach more people without losing touch with my roots as a maker.

When I first heard about Painted Tree Boutiques, I was intrigued by the idea — a co-retail space where local makers, artists, and small businesses could have a “mini storefront” without the cost or commitment of a full retail lease. As the owner of Parks Art Collection, I decided to give it a try in November 2024, starting with the Colorado Springs location. Since then, I’ve expanded into Northglenn (March 2025) and will soon be setting up in Lewis Center, Ohio — which happens to be near my mom, brother, aunts, and friends. Since I travel there frequently, it felt like a great opportunity to use those trips “home” as a legitimate business write-off, too.

It’s been a journey full of learning, testing, and growth — both for me personally and for my business. Here’s what I’ve learned so far.

What It’s Like Selling at Painted Tree Boutiques

The Setup: A Bigger Investment Than Expected

When you rent a booth at Painted Tree, you’re essentially creating your own small retail environment within a larger shared space. You pay monthly rent (typically $300–$400) depending on the size of your booth, and Painted Tree also takes 10% of each sale. That fee might sound steep at first, but if you compare it to the costs of a full storefront — rent, utilities, insurance, staffing, marketing — it’s actually pretty reasonable.

That said, the initial setup cost can be surprising. You can’t use simple booth setups like grid walls, folding tables, or pegboards that work great at pop-up markets. Painted Tree wants the space to feel more like a boutique and less like a craft fair. So, I invested around $1,000–$1,500 in fixtures and display elements — real furniture, shelving, bins, signage, lighting, and even a custom wood sign (no vinyl allowed!). I also painted the booth walls to match my brand’s aesthetic, which helped make the space feel cohesive and professional.

Some vendors opt for smaller options like kiosk spaces or shelf rentals, which are significantly more affordable but come with much less retail space. On the other hand, some larger companies rent huge spaces that can cost upwards of $1,000 per month.

Painted Tree also offers a 10% rent discount if you’re in three or more locations — which I’ll soon qualify for. (At least, that’s the current policy; they’ve been making a lot of changes lately.)

How Painted Tree’s Consignment System Works

Once your booth is set up, you enter your products into Consignor Access, the app that tracks all your inventory and pricing. Painted Tree prints the barcoded tags for you, and when a customer buys your product, it gets scanned at checkout and logged under your account. Payments are issued regularly, so it’s a fairly simple system once you get the hang of it.

I personally check in on my spaces about once every other month. That’s honestly one of the biggest perks — my products can sell without me needing to staff the booth or be there every weekend. It’s a low-maintenance way to stay visible year-round, even when I’m busy with wholesale orders, markets, or travel.

The Financial Reality of Selling at Painted Tree Boutiques

There’s a common saying among Painted Tree vendors: “If you don’t owe them money at the end of the month, you’re doing great.” But that’s not the full story.

While it’s true that breaking even on rent is a good sign, you also have to factor in your product costs, time, materials, and display investment. From my experience, here’s a more realistic benchmark:

• If you make your own products (like I do), aim to make at least 2–3x your rent each month.

• If you resell or curate products, shoot for 4x your rent to cover wholesale costs and your time.

Overall, Painted Tree accounts for about 5% of my annual revenue — so not a major piece of my business, but still a consistent and worthwhile addition. Do I regret it? No, definitely not. But it hasn’t been some secret jackpot either, like some people seem to think.

Learning What Sells (and What Doesn’t)

One of the biggest benefits of being in Painted Tree has been learning what sells without me being present. At markets, I can tell my story and engage with customers directly. But at Painted Tree, my products have to speak for themselves.

For example, my puzzles have consistently done well — they seem to resonate with the Painted Tree shopper demographic. On the other hand, I’ve struggled to move hats in that environment. It’s been an eye-opening way to understand customer behavior when I’m not there to explain or upsell.

It’s also been an exercise in letting go of perfectionism. When you’re running multiple booths, you have to accept that not everything will always look perfect, and that’s okay. The goal is progress, not perfection.

My Results Across Different Painted Tree Locations

Each Painted Tree location has its own personality and traffic patterns.

• Colorado Springs has been my strongest location — good foot traffic, friendly staff, and shoppers who appreciate handmade, nature-inspired products.

• Northglenn has been more of a challenge with minimal foot traffic and slower sales.

• Lewis Center, Ohio (coming soon) feels like a full-circle move for me since it’s close to my family and friends, and it makes travel back “home” feel a little more purposeful from a business standpoint. That said, I’m a little nervous, since booths there haven’t even filled up yet and there’s been a recent CEO change following the sale of the company in September 2025.

The Reality Behind the Aesthetic

One thing I’ve noticed is that every Painted Tree booth looks different. Some are beautifully branded, professional, and thoughtfully designed — others look more like a high school craft fair. That’s part of what makes it interesting and fun to walk through, but it also means that presentation matters. You need a lot of inventory to make your space feel full and inviting. My advice? Don’t jump in too soon — make sure you have the stock to fill your space and the brand story to make it cohesive.

What I Wish I Knew Before Renting a Painted Tree Booth

Before I started at Painted Tree, I tried to research what to expect, but there wasn’t much helpful information out there. Most of what I found were negative Reddit threads telling people to stay far away. I don’t agree with that. I think a lot of small businesses join expecting massive results right away and are disappointed when that doesn’t happen.

If you have an established brand, good profit margins, plenty of inventory, and the ability to take a reasonable risk — it’s worth considering. Before signing up, join Facebook groups for Painted Tree vendors and ask honest questions about specific stores. Success has a lot to do with location, management, and foot traffic, and every Painted Tree is a little different.

Your products also need to sell themselves — meaning they shouldn’t need a big explanation or personal pitch. And yes, theft happens. You can install cameras and complain all you want, but some loss is just part of doing business in retail. I personally wouldn’t recommend selling small, high-theft items like jewelry there.

If your store is already open, take a walk around. Look at which categories are oversaturated before you decide what to bring in. It might save you a lot of frustration later.

Is Selling at Painted Tree Boutiques Worth It?

For me, Painted Tree has been both good and challenging. It provides a steady stream of extra income and keeps my products in front of new audiences, even when I’m not physically there. It’s also been a great testing ground for figuring out what designs and products connect with people outside of my pop-up markets and wholesale accounts.

Would I recommend it? Yes — but with eyes wide open. It’s not a passive income source, and it’s not right for everyone. But if you make your own products, enjoy merchandising, and are willing to invest the time and money into creating a beautiful, self-sustaining booth, it can be a rewarding way to grow your business and brand presence.

My Advice for New Painted Tree Vendors

1. Budget for setup — expect to invest at least $1,000 before you even open.

2. Pick your location carefully — ask current vendors about traffic before committing.

3. Track your margins — don’t confuse gross sales with profit.

4. Keep your booth fresh — new products and displays drive repeat visits.

5. Be patient — it takes a few months to find your rhythm and your ideal inventory balance.

Final Thoughts

Painted Tree has given me the opportunity to reach new customers who might never have found my work otherwise. Like any retail adventure, it’s a mix of art, business, and a little bit of trial and error — and for now, that balance works for me.

If you’re researching what it’s really like to sell at Painted Tree Boutiques, I hope this post gives you a realistic picture from someone who’s actually doing it. Every experience is different, but with the right expectations, it can be a great tool for growth.

To learn more about my work or see what I sell in my booths, you can visit www.parksartcollection.com or follow me on Instagram and Facebook @parksartcollection.

Here are some photos of the process from planning, the outside look, to the finished booth look. Feel free to message me with any questions!

Alaska Adventure: Seeing Lake Clark & Katmai National Parks

Finally made it to Katmai and Lake Clark. It wasn’t easy and it wasn’t cheap, but man, it was awesome.

Days 1–3: Lake Clark National Park

After grabbing breakfast at Joy’s Corner and killing some time at Glenn Square and Bass Pro Shop, I checked in at Merrill Field for the start of my first big adventure—Lake Clark National Park.

I flew with Lake Clark Air, and the entire experience was top-notch. Their pilots were skilled, professional, and friendly—5 stars all the way. The scenic flight over glaciers, rivers, and rugged peaks before landing on the turquoise waters of Lake Clark was unforgettable. This was the scariest flight of my life. See the video below to check out the turbulence!

My stay at Lake Clark Resort (The Farm Lodge) felt like a true Alaskan retreat, complete with cozy rooms and home-cooked meals. Waking up to crisp mountain air and lake views was the perfect way to start each day. You could rent the kayaks for free and they had bear spray, hiking poles, and a coffee shop in this small town of about 250. The staff was super friendly, most of them being there for the summer, away from college. Bring plenty of tip money for them as well! They deserve it. The meals were honestly great and the cost was well worth what we paid.

The next day, we set off on a self-guided hike up Tanalian Mountain. The trail was challenging but rewarding, leading through lush forests and rocky ridges before opening up to panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Reaching the top and looking out across the wild expanse of Lake Clark was amazing.

On the 17th, I said goodbye to Lake Clark, flying back through the mountains and landing in Anchorage before renting a car for the drive south to Homer.

Days 4–5: Fishing and Exploring Homer

Homer quickly became one of my favorite stops. Known as the “Halibut Fishing Capital of the World,” it lived up to its name. On August 18th, I joined Homer Halibut Hunters for a halibut combo fishing trip. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of reeling in a fish from the deep, cold waters of Kachemak Bay.

The following day was slower-paced. I wandered Bishop’s Beach, explored the charming town, and later enjoyed dinner at Fresh Catch Café. The name says it all—the seafood was incredibly fresh, and the waterfront views made the meal even more memorable.

Day 6: Bears at Katmai National Park

If there was one bucket-list moment, it was flying with Katmai Air to Katmai National Park’s Brooks Falls. This day was hands-down the best of our entire trip. Watching brown bears up close as they fished for salmon in the rushing falls was surreal. Dozens of them splashed through the water, jostling for position, showing off the raw, untamed power of Alaska.

Seeing these incredible animals in their natural habitat—not behind glass or a fence—was life-changing. This sounds totally corny, but it totally brought tears to my eyes to see these coastal brown bears on the waterfall. See the pics below in the gallery! Two bears actually crossed our paths on the hiking tail as well!!!!

Days 7–8: Salmon Fishing & Wildlife Cruise

August 21st was another day on the water, this time with Captain B’s Alaskan C’s Adventure. I can’t rave enough about Captain B and his stellar crew—they made the trip unforgettable. I caught my first-ever fish, and it wasn’t just any fish—it was a King Salmon! Because it was such a prized catch, I even had to get a special Alaskan stamp for it. That moment—rod bent, fish on the line, and cheers from the crew—was one of the highlights of my entire trip.

On the 22nd, I swapped rods for binoculars and joined Rainbow Tours for a wildlife cruise across Kachemak Bay to Seldovia. The scenery was breathtaking, with seabirds, seals, and the chance of spotting whales along the way. Once in Seldovia, my husband and I explored the quiet coastal town—and even looked at property there. The slower pace, small-town charm, and ocean views made it easy to imagine a life tucked away in this little slice of Alaskan paradise.

Day 9: A Farewell Dinner

On August 23rd, I wrapped up my time in Homer with a dinner at The Meandering Goat, a cozy spot that you can reach by cold water taxi or ferry. There’s something about a remote dinner destination, accessible only across the bay, that makes the evening feel like a secret shared with the sea.

Day 10: Back to Anchorage

On the 24th, we packed up not just our bags—but also 106 lbs of fish we had caught over the week, including halibut, salmon, and rockfish. A local fish packaging company handled everything perfectly, flash-freezing and boxing our catch for travel.

From there, we made the 3.5-hour drive back to Anchorage, returned the rental car, and boarded our flight home on United Airlines. Thanks to my United card, our checked bags—including all that fish—flew free! It felt like the perfect ending to an adventure filled with unforgettable memories and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Final Thoughts

Alaska isn’t just a destination—it’s an experience. From the glaciers of Lake Clark to the bears of Katmai (the highlight of the whole trip), and from halibut hauls to the thrill of catching my first King Salmon, every moment felt raw, real, and unforgettable. And who knows—maybe someday we’ll call Seldovia home. My thought on spending a lot of money like this are that life is never guaranteed. We don’t do these kinds of trip often, but maybe once every 5-10 years. If you are a lover of bears or want a truly thrilling adventure, add any of these things to your bucket list next summer!

Dry Tortugas: A paradise once known as a prison

Every year, I try to plan a few National Park Trips with friends and family. In the beginning, living in Denver, it was easy to plan little road trips that took 3-4 days and knock some trips of the bucket list. However now, after having been to 38 continental US parks, it is getting harder to reach the far out places!

Dry Tortugas is an outlier among the continental parks. It is NOT easy to get to I assure you, with 4 separate 3-4 hour long ferry rides, a stay in key west, and a flight to Florida ! I’m glad I got to do this, what an experience. I shared it with my best friend, Lexy, and two cousins who live in Cape Coral, Florida, Craig and Lizzy. 

We visited in February, 2022,  and it did not disappoint. We booked our boat tickets and reservations 3 months in advance, I can’t stress this enough. We took the Yankee Freedom Ferry for a day trip to Dry Tortugas that included lunch and free snorkel gear. https://www.drytortugas.com.  The whole day was 7am-5pm and was around $200 per person. We got a refund for having a national parks pass once we checked in. 

Ways to get to Key West: https://www.keywestexpress.net

• Fly into Miami and rent a car (could pair this with Biscayne NP)

• Key West Express Ferry from Ft. Myers (book early) 4 hour each way

• Key West Express Ferry from Marco Island (book early) 3 hour each way

We did not need a car in Key West, we were able to walk everywhere. You will want at least 2 nights here, as you will have to be there the day before the Dry Tortugas Trip, and then you will be too late to take the ferry back once you return. Key West has some great food spots! 

Dry Tortguas National Park: as taken from https://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm:

“Almost 70 miles (113 km) west of Key West lies the remote Dry Tortugas National Park. This 100-square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands.  Accessible only by boat or seaplane, the park is known the world over as the home of magnificent Fort Jefferson, picturesque blue waters, superlative coral reefs and marine life, and the vast assortment of bird life that frequents the area.”

Places to eat in Key West:

• Brunch- a staple in Key West: Blue Heaven: https://blueheavenkw.com

• Brunch or Lunch for Southern cuisine: Firefly: http://www.fireflykeywest.com

• Bars: Classic Historical Tavern: The Green Parrot. https://www.greenparrot.com

• Dinner: Bagatale for whole fried red snapper!: https://www.bagatellekeywest.com

• Tapas: Tiger Bar for exotic eats and a fun time:  https://tigerbarkw.com

Do not underestimate the Southern Charm on this little island, and if you can afford a few days, eat as many places as you can! I haven’t had such good food since I lived in Charleston. Now my landlocked self may be just a little deprived of good seafood. BUT…. Enjoy yourselves while there!!

I have been to Key West twice and highly recommend staying in a historical bed and breakfast. There are plenty of big hotels on the east side of the island, but I can promise it is worth the extra money to be able to walk everywhere and have a more authentic Key West experience.

Here’s where we stayed: https://www.keywesthospitalityinns.com/wickerguesthouse

This guest house was clean, comfortable, and the staff made us feel so welcome, they even remembered our names each time we came back. I would stay here again for sure, especially with the pool area in the back! This company had some other buildings in the downtown as well. You can tell it is owned as a small business and definitely made me feel that southern charm!

Money savings tips for Dry Tortugas: This is a hard one to save on… 

• Once you get to Dry Tortugas, Camp for a couple nights instead of staying in Key West. You have to book a campers permit ahead of time and also figure out how to fly with camping gear, but it could be amazing to see the night sky.

• Go just for one evening (the night before your Dry Tortugas boat trip) and then once you return, drive back to Miami.

• Pack your own meals and drinks. Everything on the island is expensive, think coffee $5, soda $4, beer $8. So if you really need to save cash, just pack a cooler! I’ve done it many times, but I wanted to eat seafood and southern cuisine while here this time!

No matter if you decide to go for just the park, or for the whole key west experience, you won’t be disappointed! I highly recommend swimming and snorkeling.

Insider tips for the boat rides:

• Bring cards or board games, there is no cell service and the boat rides are 3 hours each way!

• Bring your own towel and beach chair for chilling Oceanside once on the island!

• Sunscreen and good walking shoes if you plan to your the fort extensively.

• Don’t miss the snorkeling, as I went with some native Floridians, they said it was the clearest water they’d ever seen.

• Take an underwater camera!

• Plan on Dramamine for those that get motion sickness.

• Go on the ranger tour.

• Climb the spiral stairs and walk around the top level of Fort Jefferson.

Have fun and stay tuned for my next blog on national park visits !!

-Elaina

Hemingway cats frequent the island with an extra thumb! Yes cats with 6 toes!

You will be amazed at the color and clarity of the water!

How I Saw 3 National Parks For Under $300!

Carlsbad Caverns, Guadalupe Mountains, and White Sands National Parks
2 nights, 3 days, shared costs with 1 other friend

Day 1: Leave Denver at 5:30 am, drive 8 hours down to Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

• Stop for gas once: $45

• Ate food from our pantry, mostly snacks, veggies, fruits, crackers, canned tuna, and cliff bars.

• Arrive at Carlsbad Caverns national park and use park pass to enter. Pay for a tour $15. https://www.nps.gov/cave/planyourvisit/tour_schedule.htm

• Wait for the evening bat flight program and hope to see the bats nightly exit from the cavern! https://www.nps.gov/cave/planyourvisit/bat_flight_program.htm

• Stay local at motel in Carlsbad, New Mexico *good reviews for cleanliness $79 per night divided by 2 = $39.50 per person. Eat soup and crackers at the hotel for dinner.

Day 2: Drive to Guadalupe Mountains National park at 7am, use park pass to get in.

• Hiked Devil's Hallway trail, which took most of the morning. https://adventuremorefamily.com/devils-hall-trail-guadalupe-mountains/

• Picnic lunch with snacks and sandwiches

• Fill up gas tank: $45

• Drive to Alamogordo, New Mexico stay in a motel * cleanliness and good reviews a must. $90 divided by 2 = $45 per person

• Heat up dinner in microwave, could be soup, leftovers, TV dinners, etc.

Day 3: Drive to White Sands National Park for sunrise!

• Park pass to enter: $0.

• Most epic part of the trip was seeing the sunrise here; the sky was pink and the sand was sparkling! https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-mexico/sunrises-park-worth-waking-up-early-nm/

• Drive back to Denver in the afternoon. $45 fill up gas tank.

• Splurge on a good place for dinner $20 per person.

• Total Cost: $254 per person.

I know many of you don't live nearby, however, if you can book flights to El Paso, TX for free using your southwest points, then rent a car on Turo.com, and make a well-planned trip to the grocery store, you too can do this trip cheaply and quickly!

---

LINKS:

https://www.nps.gov/cave/planyourvisit/tour_schedule

https://www.nps.gov/cave/planyourvisit/bat_flight_program.htm

https://adventuremorefamily.com/devils-hall-trail-guadalupe-mountains/

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-mexico/sunrises-park-worth-waking-up-early-nm/

10 Tips For Budget-Friendly Travel

A lot of people want to know how to travel on a budget and how I can do so many trips.

I would love to share some tips and tricks with you here, but I am fortunate to be a hospital-based nurse with lots of flexibility in scheduling, so that helps.

However, there are ways to do trips over long weekends and budget friendly if you are willing to make some simple sacrifices in luxury.

Tip #1: DRIVE!  

• I have driven 10 hours each way on a short 3-day trip, the only cost accruing here is gas, which I know can be a lot, but it's still cheaper then an alternative.

• Driving allows you to pack your own food, and possibly car camp depending on weather and location.

Tip #2: Pack and plan your meals

Whether I am driving my own car, or renting a car and flying in, I meal plan and make budget friendly choices for the trip.

Some examples are:

• Breakfast: toast and eggs, (if car camping try cereal or fruit).

• Lunch: hummus wraps, peanut butter sandwiches, turkey, cheese, and crackers.

• Snacks: fruit, veggies, chips, nuts.

• Dinner: (this is where I splurge to experience the culture), However, I have also been known to eat tuna and crackers, or soup in a hotel room to save $$!

Tip #3: Credit Cards Perks! 

Airlines: I have airline credit cards for everyday use. I use Southwest, United, and plan to apply for an Alaskan card to fly to Alaska for free.

• I use my Southwest credit card for meals, gas, groceries, and everyday purchases. I often can fly at least one way for free using points this way. I just flew to Florida for free to see Dry Tortugas, and last year-round trip to California to see Redwoods and more! 

• Wait until they offer at least 60,000 points, and sometimes, they even offer 80,000! https://creditcards.chase.com/southwest/home

• I use my United card for incidentals, miscellaneous, utilities, and other.  https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/products/chase.html

I don't fly United as often, but they go to more locations, for example, Missoula, Montana, I flew here for free to visit Glacier my savings up rewards points.

• Alaskan Airlines now offering bonus points to sign up. They are great for the pacific northwest, Alaska. There are so many parks up here, Olympic, Mt. Rainier, Denali, etc.  https://www.alaskaair.com/content/credit-card/visa-signature

      If you prefer more flexibility in your credit card.

Hotels:

• Hotels.com is usually cheaper than other sites and if you book 9 hotel rooms, you get 1 night free.  https://www.hotels.com/

• Marriott credit card offers great perks if you like staying in hotels as opposed to camping or motels.

• I also look up southwest.com, hotels options because sometimes they offer 10-15,000 points to book a specific hotel in the area, that will pay for a flight for next time! (and you would have had to book the hotel anyways)

• Don't be afraid to try a hostel, just be sure to look up reviews to make sure it's clean.

Tip #4: Go with groups! Don't be afraid to invite someone, people are often so excited to go, but just don't have the planning skills or ideas of where to go!

• Going with a group of friends means you can split the cost. It is a win/win for everyone, as they will be able to split costs as well.

• I realize this doesn't work with families, however I am doing a family reunion in Sleeping Bear Dunes area, and everyone in the family gets to stay at a big lake house since we're all sharing costs!

• Examples: rental car in California for 7 days was $800, if you split between 2 people , it's still $400 each, but if you can find more friends and go with 4, now it's only $200 per person!

• When you go with friends, you can often splurge a little more on a cool place because the costs are being shared, also it's more fun!!

Tip #5: Bring your own drinks

• Refillable water bottles are a must, and if you must have filtered water, buy a big jug at the store!

• Pack a collapsible cooler and buy local beers or beverages to enjoy as a picnic, or at your hotel/air bnb in the evening. If you are camping, it's a must!

• Electrolyte packets are a great alternative to Gatorade or Powerade and are more eco-friendly! I mix mine with ice in my water bottle to get the day going.

Tipe #6: Buy a National Park pass

• One-time fee will save you money in the long run, and sometimes get you a refund. For example, I booked a Dry Tortugas boat tour and got a $30 refund per person for having a pass.

Tip #7: Camp!

I didn't grow up camping, I never thought I could do it, yet here I am, camping with girlfriend on the road.

You will still need to make reservations many places, which is better to secure your spot in busy areas. Some are still first come, first serve, get there early if this is the case.

Go simple, all you need is a Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, cooler with food and drinks, water, firewood (local only), and warm clothes!

What's in my "camp bin"?? A small plastic tote or bag with essentials for any camp adventure. Leave it ready like a go bag.

• toilet paper

• lighter

• wine opener

• can opener

• coffee mugs and plastic cups

• 2 dish towels

• fire starter cubes

• hot hands warmers, or toe warmers

• wireless charger for phones, etc

• ear plugs

• salt and pepper

• tissues

• cards

• flashlight

• headlamp

• extra batteries

• paper plates and bowls or better yet, reusable dishware

• reusable utensils from a camp store, spoon, forks, knife

• small cutting board and pocketknife

• extra socks and gloves (it gets cold out west!! even in summer)

• paper towel roll

Tip #8: Pair park trips with other necessary travel. You can't wait for "next time" because life is short!

• Going on a work trip to Boston? Let work pay for part of it, then extend 2 more days, rent a car, and go see Acadia! ** bonus, can some of it be a tax write off?

• Have to go see family in San Antonio? See if they are down for an adventure weekend in Big Bend instead of seeing the same city again. You may be surprised how into this family and friends are.

• Going to a wedding in Portland? Stay an extra day or 2 and go see Crater Lake!

• Family and Friends are more open than many realize! I have way more exciting memories when we do something together outdoor.

Tip #9: Travel in the off-season for your park.

• Grand Teton in winter, Big Bend in summer, Badlands in March, and more!

• You will save on hotels big time by going in the off season, and bonus is that there will be significantly less visitors.

• Plan accordingly for weather. I live in Colorado, so I'm not afraid of the cold, wear thermal leggings under your pants, a good down coat is a must!

Tip #10: Rental Car Tips:

• Always book a car that is eco-friendly to save on gas.

• I have been trying Turo.com, which is like an air bnb service for cars. People use their own personal cars to make money on the side, and often is cheaper then rental car websites. https://turo.com/

• Book early, don't wait to book your rental car, as prices go up as time goes on.

• Invite more friends along to share on costs.