What outdoor gear can I bring instead of a checked bag without extra fees?

Trade one of your checked bags for certain sports equipment and outdoor gear without any extra fees: Bicycle Fishing tackle box and fishing rod Archery equipment, including a bow, arrows, and an average size target (large target stands cannot be accepted) Boogie or knee board Snow ski equipment, including skis or snowboards, ski boots, and ski poles Water ski equipment Find the complete list and accompanying size restrictions on our Special Luggage policy page.

What outdoor gear can I bring for an extra fee?

Trade one of your checked bags for oversized sports and outdoors equipment for an extra $75: Kayak (other than a sea kayak) Kiteboard Wind surfing board Find the complete list and accompanying size restrictions on our Special Luggage policy page.

The great outdoors is calling. Answer with a flight toward adventure in a national park.

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Visit the Southwest Airlines ® Help Center for helpful information and answers to frequently asked questions.

Low fares on flights headed for outdoor adventure abound with Southwest Airlines®. Backpackers, dirt bikers, campers, and everyone eager to explore new flora and fauna: It’s time to pick your next adventure travel destination.

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It’s time to explore nature’s beauty. Click on a destination below to plan your outdoor getaway.

America the beautiful is on full display in our beloved national park system. Book your next flight out of town to spacious skies, fresh air, and natural splendor. Browse exciting options for adventure travel destinations from sea to shining sea.

Bozeman
Cleveland
Denver
El Paso
Fresno, CA
Greenville-Spartanburg
Hilo (Island of Hawaii)
Las Vegas
Little Rock
Miami
Palm Springs, CA
Phoenix
Portland, ME
Salt Lake City
Seattle/Tacoma

City:

Bozeman

Morning glory pool from above. Stormy weather. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN)

Start your next adventure in Big Sky Country in Bozeman, where you are within driving distance of Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park.

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Cleveland

Brandywine Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio, USA.

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)

From kid-friendly exhibits to 22 miles of winding river shores, Cuyahoga Valley National Park has something for outdoor adventurers of all ages.

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Denver

Alpenglow kisses Hallet Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park

Denver International Airport (DEN)

Choose from Rocky Mountain National Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve with this adventure destination.

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El Paso

Rio Grande river flows through Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park

El Paso International Airport (ELP)

Explore the Guadalupe Mountains, Big Bend, or Carlsbad Caverns—or make time for all three—when you fly into El Paso for your outdoor adventure.

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Fresno, CA

Huge rocky cliff faces protruding through pine trees

Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT)

Landing in Fresno puts you in perfect proximity to visit either Sequoia National Park or Yosemite National Park, which are both just about an hour-and-a-half drive away from the airport.

Find flights to Fresno, CA

Greenville-Spartanburg

Sunset nature photo of the Great Smoky Mountains

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP)

Answer Appalachia’s call with a visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for hiking, fishing, guided tours, horseback riding, and more mountain adventures.

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Hilo (Island of Hawaii)

Holei Sea Arch in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Hilo International Airport (ITO)

Whether you take a scenic daytime drive, explore sacred cultural sites, or time your visit around an eruption, the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park offers endless opportunities to explore.

Find flights to Hilo (Island of Hawaii)

Las Vegas

Great spires carved away by erosion in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA.

Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)

Take your pick from between Bryce Canyon National Park (about four hours from the airport), Death Valley National Park (about two hours from the airport), and Zion National Park (just under three hours from the airport).

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Little Rock

Bill & Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT)

Hot Springs National Park offers several indoor soaking options, but don’t forget to take advantage of the outdoor activities for adventure travelers.

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Miami

Florida wetland, Airboat ride at Everglades National Park in USA.

Miami International Airport (MIA)

Take advantage of the largest sub-tropical wilderness escape in the country and choose Everglades National Park as your outdoor destination.

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Palm Springs, CA

Early morning reflection at Barker Dam in Joshua Tree National Park

Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)

Commune with nature where the Mojave and Colorado deserts converge. Trek to Joshua Tree National Park for birding, biking, and stellar stargazing under the clear night sky.

Find flights to Palm Springs, CA

Phoenix

Grand Canyon View from South Rim with Bright Blue Sky at Sunset

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

Set your eyes on one of the Wonders of the World at Grand Canyon National Park in northwest Arizona, explore Petrified Forest, or take in the view of the iconic saguaro cactus at Saguaro National Park.

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Portland, ME

Portland International Jetport (PWM)

Have your next outdoor adventure at Acadia National Park, which includes rocky headlands into the Atlantic coastline and spectacular sunrise views.

Find flights to Portland, ME

Salt Lake City

Sunrise at Mesa Arch at the Canyonlands National Park, Utah, United States.

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)

Endless outdoor adventure awaits in Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands National Park, and Capitol Reef National Park. Which will you choose to explore?

Find flights to Salt Lake City

Seattle/Tacoma

Mt. Shuksan reflected in Picture lake at North Cascades National Park, Washington, USA

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

Pacific Northwest outdoor adventure opportunities abound at Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades National Parks. Get going!

Find flights to Seattle/Tacoma

When you fly Southwest®

Two bags fly free®¹

No change² and no cancel fees³

Flight credits don't expire⁴

Free entertainment^5,6 and $8 Internet⁷

General outdoor adventure travel questions.

Trade one of your checked bags for certain sports equipment and outdoor gear without any extra fees:

Bicycle⁸
Fishing tackle box and fishing rod⁹
Archery equipment, including a bow, arrows, and an average size target (large target stands cannot be accepted)¹⁰
Boogie or knee board¹¹
Snow ski equipment, including skis or snowboards, ski boots, and ski poles¹²
Water ski equipment¹³

⁸Bicycles are defined as nonmotorized and having a single seat, including Bike Friday and Co-Pilot, properly packed in a hard-sided bicycle box that falls within the dimensions and weight limits established for normal Checked Baggage, (i.e., 62 inches or less in overall dimensions and less than 50 pounds in weight). Pedals and handlebars must be removed and packaged in protective materials so as not to be damaged by or cause damage to other Baggage. Bicycles packaged in cardboard or soft sided cases will be transported as limited release items.

⁹Fishing rod must be encased in a cylindrical fishing rod container suitable to Carrier for withstanding normal Checked Baggage handling without sustaining damage to the rod. Fishing rod containers may measure up to three inches in diameter and 91 inches in length.

¹⁰Bow and arrows must be encased in a container acceptable to Carrier for withstanding normal Baggage handling without sustaining damage to the equipment.

¹¹If the boogie board exceeds 50 pounds in weight or 62 inches in size (outside length plus height plus width), excess weight and size charges may apply.

¹²Includes one pair of skis or one snowboard, one set of poles, and one pair of ski/snowboard boots encased in a container(s) acceptable to Carrier. When substituting ski equipment for a free bag, Southwest Airlines allows up to two bags (containing one set of snow skis, ski poles, and ski boots) to count as one item, even if they are packed and tagged separately.

¹³Water ski equipment must be encased in a container(s) acceptable to Carrier and include no more than one pair of water skis and one life preserver or vest.

Find the complete list and accompanying size restrictions on our Special Luggage policy page.

Trade one of your checked bags for oversized sports and outdoors equipment for an extra $75:

Kayak (other than a sea kayak)¹⁴
Kiteboard¹⁵
Wind surfing board¹⁶

¹⁴Kayak paddle(s) must be secured.

¹⁵Kiteboard keels and fins must be removed and placed in carryon or checked baggage.

¹⁶Wind surfing board keel must be removed and placed in checked baggage to prevent damage to the sail, boom, and other baggage.

Find the complete list and accompanying size restrictions on our Special Luggage policy page.

Yes! Explore a range of bundling possibilities with Southwest Vacations®—and earn even more Rapid Rewards® points when you fly.

You can rent a car at all Southwest destination airports except José Martí International Airport (HAV), making it easy to go from deplaning to getting on the road to your outdoor adventure. Book your rental car with your flight.

Yes! Flights to there or anywhere can be changed with no change fees. Fare difference may apply.

Check the status of your upcoming Southwest flight here.

To view up-to-date information regarding travel restrictions, visit our COVID-19 Travel Information center.

Visit the Southwest Airlines® Help Center for helpful information and answers to frequently asked questions.

¹First and second checked bags. Weight and size limits apply.

²Fare difference may apply.

³Failure to cancel a reservation at least 10 minutes prior to departure may result in forfeited Travel Funds.

⁴Flight credits unexpired on or created on or after July 28, 2022, do not expire and will show an expiration date until our systems are updated. See full details here.

⁵Where available. Available only on WiFi-enabled aircraft. Limited-time offer.

⁶Due to licensing restrictions, on WiFi-enabled international flights, free live TV and iHeartRadio may not be available for the full duration of flight.

⁷Internet access for $8 per device from takeoff to landing. Price is subject to change. May not be available for the full duration of flight. In order to provide a top-notch Internet experience, we prohibit access to certain high-bandwidth applications and websites. We also prohibit access to certain obscene or offensive content.

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