Picture this: You’re waking up to the sounds of nature — birds chirping, leaves rustling and maybe even the distant howl of a wolf. But instead of crawling out of a tent and shaking the dirt off your sleeping bag, you’re rolling out of a plush bed in a room with a view that would make John Muir’s heart skip a beat. Whether you’re the kind of traveler who needs a cozy base camp to unwind after a day of trailblazing, or you’re just in it for the views (no judgment here), we’ve rounded up some of the best hotels and lodges in (or a short drive from) one of the United States’ 63 national parks.
AutoCamp Joshua Tree
6 miles to Joshua Tree National Park
While AutoCamp has glamping sites in over a dozen national parks throughout the United States, we’re particularly keen on its Joshua Tree offering. Here, you’ll find classic silver Airstream trailers surrounded by native high desert plants, dramatic rock formations and, at night, some of the darkest skies for stargazing around. Each Airstream Suite is outfitted with a queen bed set before a panoramic window, a modern bathroom with a walk-in rain shower and a kitchenette. Right outside, each also comes with a private lounge area and firepit. If you feel like being more social, you can hang out in The Clubhouse, a modern take on Quonset huts, with a large shaded patio adjacent to the hybrid hot tub/plunge pool and full-size swimming pool. It’s where you’ll find The Kitchen, too, an all-day a la carte casual eatery, and The General Store, which is stocked with local grocery items and ingredients for grilling and picnics. For those who want to avoid doing any planning, AutoCamp offers guided trips into the park, including river rafting and mountain biking.
1 mile from Yosemite National Park
If you’re looking for a classic national park experience — we’re talking a homey cabin with a woodburning stove, s’mores over the fire and animals ambling outside your front door — Evergreen Lodge near Yosemite National Park delivers. There are 88 individual one- and two-bedroom cabins spread through 20 acres of old-growth forest (which is particularly pretty in autumn), a heated pool, hot tub, two outdoor playgrounds for those traveling with kids and an on-site restaurant and tavern dishing up the kind of hearty fare necessary to fuel all-day hikes to waterfalls and mountaintops. The Lodge also provides a slew of guided tours, ranging from river rafting to summiting the North Dome with a naturalist. Or, if you’re more of a nature-light person, you can arrange for an al fresco California craft beer tasting.
in Everglades National Park
In 2023, the 24-room Flamingo Lodge opened on the southernmost tip of the Florida peninsula in Everglades National Park, making it the first and only accommodation (other than a tent you bring yourself) within the protected land. The rooms, constructed from raised shipping containers, are a solid choice, with queen- or king-sized beds, a kitchenette and balcony views of the Florida Bay. However, we’d opt for one of the 42-foot houseboats bobbing in the marina. They’re more basic, with enough beds for four adults, a living area, a bathroom and a galley kitchen, but it means you can explore the park without leaving the comfort of the AC.
in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Having operated since 1846, Hawaii Volcano House is technically the oldest hotel in Hawai’i. We say technically because it’s been rebuilt a handful of times — it’s walking distance from the edge of an active volcano, which has caused some damage when things have gotten particularly fiery. The hotel, in its current iteration, has 33 guest rooms, 10 cabins and 16 campsites for intrepid adventures. By day, you can rent bikes or hike around the park. By night, you can dine at The Rim, a restaurant with Hawaii-inspired entrees and views of the Kilauea caldera and the Halema’uma’u Crater. The magma from these craters often paints the clouds above the eatery vibrant shades of pink, orange and red. It’s a sunset you won’t soon forget.
in North Cascades National Park
You’d be hard-pressed to find a more unique and secluded getaway than this one nestled within the stunning wilderness of North Cascades National Park in Washington State. The wood cabins of this resort literally float on the waters of its namesake lake, encased on all sides by towering mountains and dense forests. Jump in the water for some kayaking, canoeing and fishing, or go hiking along the numerous trails that wind through the park’s rugged terrain. The cabins are no frills, but all cabin sizes include a combination of queen and bunk beds, fully equipped kitchens (though you’ll need to pack in all your own food), bathrooms and a private deck with views of Colonial and Pyramid peaks reflecting off the water.
4 miles to Kenai Fjords National Park
Tucked away in an ancient spruce forest, and surrounded by curlicued fiddleheads and bright pink fireweed, Salted Roots has 12 offbeat, fun rentals. When Salted Roots first opened in 2019, it offered just two glass-front A-frame cabins, appropriately named the Red Door and the Blue Door. Each has two bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a bathroom with a freestanding soaking tub and a private deck. In the time since, they’ve added two cottages with a similar design, renovated a 1970s bus and acquired a neighboring property with three seaside craftsman cabins and a lodge housing four private rooms, now called Rustic Roots, that has sweeping views of Resurrection Bay. The property is located on a private beach in Lowell Point, where otters can be seen hunting for clams and whales can be seen breaching in the bay during the summer months. Salted Roots can also partner with a local kayak operator to organize paddling adventures through the glaciers of Kenai Fjords National Park.
8 miles from Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Pigeon Forge, located just outside of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and hollerin’ distance from Dollywood, is known for being a quirky mountain town. Think: offbeat museums (like the Alcatraz East Crime Museum, home to O.J. Simpson’s white Bronco), themed dinner shows and a lumberjack theme park owned by Paula Deen. The Wayback, a retro motor lodge that received a ’70s-style makeover in 2023, is fittingly funky. Expect bright pops of color everywhere, from the rainbow-striped canopy to the peachy pool loungers, guestrooms with playful furnishings, a restaurant serving a menu of seasonally rotating tacos and cocktails with heavy tequila pours served from an Airstream trailer.
in Zion National Park
The only formal accommodation within Zion National Park, the Zion Lodge has comfortable cabins, motel-style rooms and suites, all designed to complement the beautiful red cliffs of the surroundings. You get easy access to the park’s hiking trails, including the popular Emerald Pools and Angels Landing trails, as well as guided horseback rides, scenic drives and abundant opportunities for wildlife viewing. As for food, the lodge’s Red Rock Grill focuses on locally sourced ingredients and substantial meals, while the Castle Dome Café is perfect for a quick bite before heading out on an adventure.
