What are the best affordable zoom lenses for Nikon DX cameras that a beginner can actually afford? I am leaving for a trip to the Grand Canyon in exactly six days and I just realized the lens that came with my camera doesnt actually zoom in on anything far away which is basically the whole point of going to a canyon right? I feel like a total idiot asking this but I have no idea where to even start because I look at websites and there are a million numbers and letters and prices that are like two thousand dollars which is more than I spent on my car.

I bought a used Nikon D5600 and it says DX on it so I think I need to stay with that? My budget is really tight like maybe 200 or 300 dollars max since I spent all my savings on the trip itself and the camera. I really want to take pictures of animals or just things across the canyon but every time I try to zoom with the lens I have it just stops. Its a 18-55mm thing if that helps? Someone told me to look for a telephoto but when I type that in I get so confused and everything looks different.

Here is what I am looking for if anyone can help me:

• something that zooms in really far
• cheap enough for a student budget
• wont break if I am a little bit clumsy
• works with a D5600 without needing fancy settings

I saw some stuff about AF-P vs AF-S and I dont know if my camera can handle the P one or if that even matters for a zoom lens. I am just really worried I am gonna buy the wrong thing and be stuck with a heavy paperweight while I am on vacation. Is it better to buy a used one or is that risky? I just need something that works and I am running out of time to order it because I need it delivered before I get on my flight Friday and I am starting to panic a little bit...