Beautiful views and exciting activities aren’t just for the parks. These accommodations also have their own charms.
People are exploring National Parks more than ever before. Visitation increased 4% from 2022 to 2023, according to the National Parks Service, with a record 325.5 million visits in the year.
This popularity doesn’t stop at the parks themselves, either ― the hotels and lodges near the parks are also in-demand. These accommodations regularly book out months in advance, with people clamoring to be close to the scenic destinations.
There are a few factors you should keep in mind when booking a hotel at or near a National Park, like the time of year you want to visit. Experts say shoulder season, like the fall and spring are best, because you’re more likely to avoid the crowds. (Winter can be a nice time, too, but many National Park lodges close down during the colder months, so you’ll need to think about alternative accommodations for that time.)
Beyond when to go, it’s equally as important to know where to stay. Below, travel experts share their picks for the best hotels at or near National Parks:
The Stanley Hotel at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado
You may know The Stanley Hotel from a certain iconic horror movie; it served as the inspiration for “The Shining,” said Jim Pattiz, the co-founder of More Than Just Parks.
It’s right outside of Rocky Mountain National Park in “Estes Park, which is sort of the gateway to Rocky Mountain,” Jim Pattiz said. This makes the Stanley Hotel a great home base to hike, drive or sightsee your way through the National Park, all while making time to see Rocky Mountain gems like Emerald Lake and Sky Pond, and to walk the Bear Lake trailhead.
The Claremont Hotel at Acadia National Park in Maine
The Claremont Hotel is just two miles from Acadia National Park in Maine and offers a range of accommodations, from individual guest rooms to full home rentals.
The property has waterfront views, a heated pool, on-site bars and restaurants, a spa, and easy access to the state’s beloved national park. Visitors love Acadia for its location right on the Atlantic Ocean, which makes it ideal for waterfront views, boating, fishing and, of course, scenic hiking. More, in the fall, folks plan trips to the park to take a peek at the vibrant foliage.
Grand Canyon Lodge at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona
Matt Cotter, the senior director of program management at Road Scholar, an educational travel company for older adults, recommends Grand Canyon Lodge for its location within the Grand Canyon.
“While ― like all of the parks ― the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is getting busier, its more secluded location affords it a bit more in the way of peace and quiet to enjoy the beauty of the Canyon when compared to lodging on the South Rim,” Cotter said.
Plus, the lodge itself is a sight to see: It’s an example of “parkitecture,” which is an American-style of architecture in which the building is designed to “blend in with the landscape,” explained Will Pattiz, the co-founder of More Than Just Parks. Local materials are used in these building’s construction to further achieve this goal, Will Pattiz noted.
The northern location gives you easy access to sites like Angels Window Overlook and Point Imperial, which is the highest spot in the Grand Canyon.
Rush Creek Lodge and Spa at Yosemite National Park in California
“In addition to its modern amenities and location just outside of Yosemite, Rush Creek affords our groups easy access to more off-the-beaten-path sites in Yosemite,” Cotter said.
The hotel is close to Yosemite attractions like the Dead Giant Tunnel Tree, Yosemite Valley Vista Point and the Devil’s Dance Floor mountain peak.
You can explore the park on your own, or sign up for one of the guided Yosemite tours that can be booked through Rush Creek.
Red Cliffs Lodge at Arches National Park in Utah
In Moab, Utah, Red Cliffs Lodge “feels like you’re out of a scene of an old western movie,” said Joanne Gardner, the vice president of worldwide operations for Tauck, a guided tour company that operates worldwide.
The hotel is right on the Colorado River and surrounded by the cliffs of Moab, she noted. It’s roughly 15 miles from Arches National Park and a bit further — roughly 40 miles — from Canyonlands National Park.
“And there’s tons of adventurous options right outside the door, from horseback riding to mountain biking, rafting, hiking, all kinds of outdoor activities,” Gardner added.
Under Canvas in 13 outdoor locations, including National Parks
If you’d rather have a more outdoorsy stay, Under Canvas is a glamping hotel that has locations near National Parks and major outdoor recreation areas throughout the country, including Zion, Acadia, Great Smoky Mountains and Yellowstone (where Gardner particularly recommends).
“You can sleep under the stars, you can have a morning yoga class, go for a hike … have fire pits in the evenings with roasted marshmallows and cocktails or both,” Gardner said.
Outdoor activities are curated for each location, but you can expect guided hiking tours, scenic driving tours, wildlife watching, boat tours, stargazing and more. Or you can embark on your own journey of the National Park. (And, yes, you can book a tent with a private bathroom.)
The Sage Lodge at Yellowstone National Park in Montana
While not directly at Yellowstone National Park, the Sage Lodge is just 35 minutes away from the grounds and offers a more luxe change from the rustic on-park lodges.
“It’s set in the rolling ranch lands near the Yellowstone River, with the mountain range in the background,” Gardner said. “It was just awarded three Michelin keys for 2024.”
You can make the short, scenic drive to the park grounds to take in the geysers, hot springs and wildlife that Yellowstone’s known for or enjoy some of the activities (like horseback riding and Western dance lessons) that the hotel offers.
Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming
“Within viewing distance of Old Faithful Geyser, this is one of the few remaining log hotels in the U.S. and a masterpiece of rustic architecture,” Cotter said.
The hotel is made of logs and stone local to the Yellowstone area, and was the largest log structure in the world at the time of its construction, according to Jim Pattiz.
“[Old Faithful Inn] has this sort of rustic look … you walk into the lobby, and you are just floored by this grandiose view,” said Jim Pattiz. “They have whole trees that are standing up in the building … the whole thing is just constructed of these giant logs.”
The hotel is near its namesake geyser, in addition to Yellowstone must-sees like Norris Geyser Basin and Grand Prismatic Spring.
Volcano House at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island in Hawaii
Volcano House, at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island has various lodging options: hotel rooms, camper cabins and a campground, all of which overlook Kīlauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
“So you’re sitting there on the rim of the crater and you can just see it, you can smell the sulfur in the air — that is a pretty unique experience,” Will Pattiz said.
While you can see the volcano from the hotel, it’s worth the trip to the Kīlauea Overlook for a different vantage point and doubly worth stops at the Devastation Trail and Sulphur Banks.
The Lodge at Jackson Hole at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming
According to Will Pattiz, the Lodge at Jackson Hole is a newer hotel that he regularly recommends to folks who are going to Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
“It’s usually way less expensive than the lodges inside of the park,” Will Pattiz added.
It’s 6 miles from Grand Teton, making it easy to take advantage of everything the park has to offer, such as wildlife, and its stunning mountain and lake views. The hotel also isn’t far from Jackson town square where you can find bars, restaurants, shops and art galleries.
The Oasis at Death Valley National Park in California
Spanning both California and Nevada, Death Valley National Park is an attraction that’s popular among people looking to explore one of the country’s most unique parks. It’s home to Badwater Basin, which is the lowest point in North America, in addition to spring wildflowers, ghost towns and desert views.
The Oasis at Death Valley, which is made up of two hotels — the Inn at Death Valley and the Ranch at Death Valley — is just a few minutes from the park entrance, allowing guests to explore the vast space.
The hotel itself has a number of restaurant options, a spring-fed pool, golf course, and plenty of views of Death Valley’s desert and rock formations.
Timberline Lodge at Mt. Hood National Forest in Oregon
Not too far from Portland, Oregon, you’ll find Timberline Lodge at Mt. Hood National Forest.
The hotel is at the summit of Mount Hood, the tallest mountain in Oregon, which makes it especially popular among skiers and snowboarders who can enjoy its snowy conditions 10 months a year.
The lodge itself is a National Historic Landmark. “It’s just so cool and everything in there down to the banisters on the staircases are carved intricately,” said Jim Pattiz.
Many Glacier Hotel at Glacier National Park in Montana
“Many Glacier [Hotel] is located in the heart of Glacier National Park, overlooking Swiftcurrent Lake and its stunning mountain scenery,” Cotter said.
It’s the biggest of the hotels at the beloved Montana National Park and offers a rustic feel that dates back to its construction in the early 20th century.
You can take in the mountain views from a boat tour along the lake or simply go for a hike outside of the hotel grounds where you’ll be met with mountain peaks and likely some wildlife, too.
Prince of Wales Hotel at Waterton Lakes National Park in Waterton Park, Alberta, Canada
“Located in the heart of Waterton Lakes National Park just across the border in Canada, the hotel features Swiss chalet architecture and sweeping views of Waterton Lakes and the surrounding mountains and prairies,” Cotter said.
Built in 1927, the Prince of Wales hotel takes inspiration from its historic roots with a prohibition-style cocktail menu and historic-inspired lobby. The park promises hiking, boating and even stargazing; Waterton Lakes National Park is a designated international dark sky park.
A few points to keep in mind when booking.
In general, the accommodations that aren’t directly in the National Parks tend to be more updated. So, it’s important that you go in with proper expectations when you stay at the lodges on the park grounds, Gardner said. Do your research before booking so you have an idea of the food, the amenities and more.
“Understand that not only are the accommodations inside the parks more rustic, but a lot of these properties are seasonal, which means … your service levels may differ from, say, the Four Seasons that you stayed at in Scottsdale before you went on to the Grand Canyon,” noted Gardner.
“They’re also older properties in somewhat remote destinations that have few other options available,” Cotter said. “Sometimes that requires a degree of flexibility from travelers. Take time to focus on the positives — appreciate the beauty of your surroundings and an opportunity to disconnect from the world — rather than maybe some of the downfalls you might encounter, like limited meal choices or spotty Wi-Fi and cell reception.”
Will Pattiz added that you should look at reviews on multiple sites before booking these lodges and make sure they have the things you want — like air conditioning and private bathrooms, for example.
If you are OK with the reviews and the more rustic surroundings, these lodges do truly offer something special ― after all, there’s a reason why they book out months and months in advance.
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