Most Beautiful Hotels in National Parks
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The best way to experience national parks is to stay overnight. This allows you to experience the wonder of nature without interruptions.
But not everyone likes to recreate "Man vs. Wild" scenarios. Some people prefer to enjoy the great outdoors without sleeping in a flimsy tent. For those with modern sensitivities, many national parks in the U.S. have lodges and hotels within their boundaries.
These are the best hotels inside national parks. Every one of them is in a park, not just close to it, guaranteeing a memorable experience.
15. Many Glacier Hotel, Glacier National Park
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Location: Browning, Montana
Stars: 2.5
Rating: 0.35
*Note: Ratings are based on Tripadvisor reviews. To ensure accuracy, we divided the number of five-star reviews by the total number of reviews.
Why You Should Stay at the Many Glacier Hotel
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Want to wake up to views of a glacial lake surrounded by mountains? The Many Glacier Hotel sits right on the shore of Swiftcurrent Lake and has been open since around 1915.
To attract tourists, the lodge was built in the style of a traditional Swiss chalet. You won’t have television or A/C, but you will get first access to some of the park’s most majestic views.
The hotel also provides activities like horseback riding, day boat cruises and hikes guided by a trained ranger.
Check out the Many Glacier Hotel.
14. Lodge at Bryce Canyon, Bryce Canyon National Park
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Location: Bryce, Utah
Stars: 3
Rating: 0.36
Why You Should Stay at the Lodge at Bryce Canyon
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As its name suggests, this is the only lodge located within Bryce Canyon. Unless you want to pitch a tent, this is where you should definitely stay to truly experience the wonder of this arid park.
The Lodge is situated near the edge of the canyon, so you’re guaranteed beauty as well as easy access to trails. Rooms and studios are available, but we suggest you go with a cabin rental for the best experience.
Check out the Lodge at Bryce Canyon.
12. Old Faithful Inn, Yellowstone National Park (Tie)
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Location: West Yellowstone,Wyoming
Stars: 2
Rating: 0.37
Why You Should Stay at the Old Faithful Inn
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Named after one of Yellowstone’s most famous natural landmarks, the Old Faithful Inn is literal steps away from the punctual geyser. You’ll also be very close to other geysers as well as hot springs and several trails within the Rockies.
The hotel is a national historic landmark. Made with logs and stones, it’s the definition of rustic chic. It also has a large stone fireplace that makes it easy to get cozy in the chilly mountain nights.
Check out the Old Faithful Inn.
12. Crater Lake Lodge, Crater Lake National Park (Tie)
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Location: Crater Lake, Oregon
Stars: 2
Rating: 0.37
Why You Should Stay at the Crater Lake Lodge
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Crater Lake Lodge has more than just incredible views of the incomparable Crater Lake. A stay at here will make it easy to have an action-packed vacation.
Built in 1915, the lodge was recently rebuilt and renovated, and now has fairly modern rooms within a historic facade.
Wake up early to do some hiking or swimming, or stay in and simply enjoy the views as you sip hot cocoa in the stone and wood lobby.
Check out the Crater Lake Lodge.
11. El Tovar Hotel, Grand Canyon National Park
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Location: Grand Canyon Village, Arizona
Stars: 3
Rating: 0.38
Why You Should Stay at El Tovar Hotel
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Visiting the Grand Canyon is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Staying inside the natural wonder? There are no words for it.
As part of the National Register of Historic Places, El Tovar Hotel has operated since 1905. Some of its most celebrated guests include Albert Einstein, Oprah Winfrey and Paul McCartney.
It’s also about 20 feet from the canyon’s vertigo-inducing South Rim.
Check out the El Tovar Hotel.
10. Skyland Resort, Shenandoah National Park
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Location: Luray, Virginia
Stars: 2
Rating: 0.41
Why You Should Stay at the Skyland Resort
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Skyland Resort is the best place for lodging inside Virginia’s undulating Blue Ridge Mountains. The resort is easily accessible by driving through Shenandoah’s scenic Skyline Drive. This means that even those with limited mobility can enjoy the national park’s famed mountain scenery.
Unlike other resorts on this list, you can expect Wi-Fi and air conditioning, while keeping the simple cabin aesthetic. Besides hiking, you can rent kayaks or swim at the waterfalls that are near the lodge.
Check out the Skyland Resort.
9. Volcano House, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
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Location: Pahoa, Hawaii
Stars: 2.5
Rating: 0.42
Why You Should Stay at the Volcano House
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Hawaii Volcanoes is one of the best national parks in the U.S. and offers a glimpse of nature we rarely see. Two active volcanoes spout ash and lava into the ever-changing landscape, and you can experience all of this up close by staying at the Volcano House.
This hotel is historic. As in, 1840s historic. And it was built right next to the caldera of the Kilauea volcano. You won't even have to leave your room to witness something amazing, though you'll definitely want to do several hikes or rent a bike and go for a ride.
Check out the Volcano House.
8. The Ahwahnee, Yosemite National Park
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Location: Yosemite Valley, California
Stars: 4
Rating: 0.45
Why You Should Stay at The Ahwahnee
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Most hotels inside national parks are not exactly luxurious (and we don't expect them to be) because of their location, age and history. The Ahwahnee is one of the rare exceptions, bringing four-star accommodations to the base of Half Dome, Yosemite's famous rock formation.
Incorporating Native American artwork to granite and stone, the hotel is absolutely stunning. It blends to its stunning surroundings, rather than takes away from them.
The Ahwahnee has been open since 1927, and the quality of its service and guest experience proves that experience matters.
Check out The Ahwahnee.
7. Lake Quinault Lodge, Olympic National Park
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Location: Quinault, Washington
Stars: 3
Rating: 0.46
Why You Should Stay at the Lake Quinault Lodge
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The Lake Quinault Lodge is another national park hotel that's listed in the National Register of Historic Places. And it's been helping people experience Olympic National Park since 1926. At less than three hours away from Seattle, this is the perfect weekend getaway into the Washingtonian wilderness.
Year-round, the lake will be the highlight of your stay. You can actually swim in it, so it's easy to enjoy it in the warmth of summer, when you'll see people fishing, swimming and paddleboarding.
The lake is surrounded by a temperate rainforest with tall, moss-covered trees so you can also spend time hiking and breathing in the pure air.
Check out the Lake Quinault Lodge.
6. The Oasis at Death Valley
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Location: Death Valley, California
Stars: 3.5
Rating: 0.51
Why You Should Stay at The Oasis at Death Valley
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This lodge, formerly known as The Inn at Death Valley, has gone by many names throughout its almost 100-year history. Its most recent one hints at its true identity: an actual oasis within the desert of Death Valley.
The oasis is what made an entrepreneur invest in a railroad to the remote location, which he initially intended as a mine and eventually turned to a reclusive hotel.
From Clark Gable to George Lucas, many Hollywood stars have come here to rejuvenate in the springs of the oasis and the mysterious energy of the desert. Swim in spring water, take a horse ride through Death Valley and catch a perfect sunset.
Check out The Oasis at Death Valley.
5. Zion Lodge, Zion National Park
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Location: Springdale, Utah
Stars: 3
Rating: 0.55
Why You Should Stay at the Zion Lodge
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If you want to stay inside Zion without camping, Zion Lodge is your only choice. Thankfully, it's a good one.
The lodge understands people's desire to stay somewhere with character without roughing it. Its historic cabins, which were built in the 1920s, have been recently remodeled. They also have modern perks like microwaves and coffee makers, so you're not expected to fully disconnect from modern life.
You'll also have easy access to many of the park's best sites on the Zion shuttle.
Check out the Zion Lodge.
3. The View Hotel, Monument Valley National Park (Tie)
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Location: Monument Valley, Utah
Stars: 3
Rating: 0.61
Why You Should Stay at The View Hotel
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Like Zion Lodge, the View is the only hotel available in Monument Valley. The hotel has been aptly named, given that it has a spectacular view of the valley's Mittens, two towering red rock buttes.
It is adjacent to the Monument Valley Tribal Park Visitors Center, so you can take time to learn about the Navajo people for whom this is ancestral land.
The View's best feature is that every single room has a balcony that gives you private access to the panorama. Try to wake up early for one of the best sunrises of your life.
Check out The View Hotel.
3. Denali Backcountry Lodge, Denali National Park (Tie)
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Location: Healy, Alaska
Stars: N/A
Rating: 0.61
Why You Should Stay at the Denali Backcountry Lodge
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The Denali National Park is so remote and difficult to get to that you will definitely want to find lodging inside it. There are several in-park lodges, accommodating to different styles and budgets of visitors. But if you can spare the expense, we recommend staying at the Denali Backcountry Lodge.
As the name suggests, the lodge is deep within the backcountry of the park. You'll have a pretty good chance to see wildlife, including caribou, moose, eagles and grizzlies. On clear days, you will have a first-rate view of Denali, the highest peak in the U.S.
Prices for the lodge are typically over a thousand dollars, but they include all meals and most activities, so it's well worth it.
Check out the Denali Backcountry Lodge.
2. North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin, North Cascades National Park
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Location: Stehekin, Washington
Stars: N/A
Rating: 0.62
Why You Should Stay at the North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin
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We simply can't figure out how this idyllic wonderland of Alpine meadows and sharp mountains is one of the least-visited national parks. But all this means is that you won't have to share the beauty of this wilderness with too many other people.
North Cascades Lodge is located at the pristine Lake Chelan. The resort does not offer modern amenities, as its priority is helping its guests disconnect and truly experience nature. You won't find Wi-Fi, TVs or telephones. You'll also have to take a ferry or hike in order to reach the hotel.
Basically, this is for people who do want to somewhat rough it without sleeping outside and worrying about bears and wolves.
Check out the North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin.
1. Signal Mountain Lodge, Grand Teton National Park
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Location: Moran, Wyoming
Stars: 3
Rating: 0.63
Why You Should Stay at the Signal Mountain Lodge
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Signal Mountain Lodge is one of the few in-park lodges at the incomparable Grand Teton National Park. You will be perfectly located right on Jackson Lake and Signal Mountain, so you'll have countless activities to choose from.
We recommend spending at least a couple of days, so you can hike up the mountain and enjoy fun water activities.
The lodge's waterfront is also a perfect place to set up in a cozy spot at night and spend hours stargazing and sharing stories with your travel companions.
Check out the Signal Mountain Lodge.