Some of America's greatest treasures are its national parks, offering outdoor enthusiasts the chance to experience the country's breathtaking beauty and natural diversity. They stretch from the majestic mountain ranges of Alaska to the sprawling subtropical wetlands of Florida's Everglades.
These parks are especially appealing amidst the pandemic, as US travelers seek safe travel options that embrace the outdoors and social distancing.
A wide range of hotels can be found near most national parks to serve as convenient traveler bases. From the East Coast near Maine's rugged Acadia, down to Virginia's impressive Shenandoah with 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail, over to California, Wyoming, and beyond, these hotels won't upstage the parks, but they'll certainly come close. Prefer to stay in an Airbnb? We've also rounded up the best Airbnbs and vacation rentals near national parks.
Browse all of the best hotels near national parks below, or jump to a specific area:
- The best hotels near national parks
- More on our methodology for selecting hotels
- FAQ: US national parks
- More of the best hotels in the US
These are the best hotels near National Parks, sorted by price from low to high.
Little America Hotel Flagstaff near Petrified Forest National Park and the Grand Canyon, Arizona
Book Little America Hotel Flagstaff
Set on 500 acres of Ponderosa pine forest on the outskirts of Flagstaff, this sprawling family-friendly resort is less than a two-hour drive to the south rim of the Grand Canyon, and about the same distance to the Petrified Forest National Park. Built in 1952 and entirely renovated in 2018, the hotel features lodge-inspired decor with Southwestern touches, namely in the fireside lobby, lined with wood and dotted with Native American artwork.
Amenities include an enormous outdoor pool (open during summer) and hot tub surrounded by pine trees, as well as a nature trail, volleyball courts, and a playground. In winter, the grounds are strung with Christmas lights and a North Pole Experience includes a trolley ride through the trees to Santa's Workshop packed with fun holiday activities. The Silver Pine Restaurant & Bar serves a casual Southwest-influenced menu that includes kid-friendly burgers and tacos, plus a popular local Sunday brunch, and the outdoor patio is particularly inviting.
Rooms are comfortable and modern with Spanish-tile entryways, Southwestern-patterned carpeting, custom maple beds, a seating area, and large windows; some feature step-out balconies and pine forest views. Entry-level rooms measure 420 square feet and come with two Queen-sized beds; King rooms are slightly bigger at 480 square feet. Families may want to opt for one of the spacious suites with a living room, two bedrooms, a large bathroom, and a full-sized kitchen.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Graduate Charlottesville near Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Book the Graduate Charlottesville
Home to the Thomas Jefferson-designed University of Virginia and Monticello, Charlottesville ranks as one of the best college towns, according to Business Insider. It's also just a 40-minute drive to Shenandoah National Park, which encompasses the Blue Ridge Mountains, part of the Appalachian Trail, and the famed scenic Skyline Drive.
This high-rise hotel is ideally situated across from university grounds on what's known as the Corner, a stretch of Main Street lined with restaurants, bars, and cafes. Part of the trendy, boutique Graduate Hotels mini-chain, the Charlottesville outpost harks back to the college's 19th-century history with elegant Colonial-style furnishings, locally-sourced antiques, and vintage artwork in the lobby.
The second-floor game room is a popular hangout with a full bar and ping pong, foosball, shuffleboard, and a spacious patio for drinks. But the star is the top-floor Camp Ten Four, a wood-paneled restaurant and bar whose sprawling rooftop terrace offers fantastic views of the low-rise town and surrounding mountains.
Rooms are all tweedy nostalgia, with plaid carpeting, dark wood furnishings, leather headboards, and vintage-style telephones. Some feature fish hanging above the bed, a nod to the nickname of UVa students, known as Wahoos. Entry-level rooms have either one King-sized bed or two Queens; be sure to request one with a mountain view, which is similar in price.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Ivy Manor Inn near Acadia National Park, Maine
Book the Ivy Manor Inn
Set on historic Main Street in downtown Bar Harbor, this charming English Tudor-style inn is within walking distance of dozens of restaurants and bars, as well the Town Pier. It's just across from the Village Green, where you can hop a free (seasonal) shuttle bus that gets you to several different points in nearby Acadia National Park.
Built as a residence in 1939 and converted to a hotel in 1996, the 18-room inn (which is indeed covered with ivy) retains its historic ambiance with antiques and period furnishings. While there's no on-site restaurant, a continental breakfast is included in the rate and the hotel's William Tell Lounge is a cozy spot for a wine or beer. Out front, the fire pit is a popular hangout come evening.
Queen and King rooms are individually decorated in a traditional style with wood-frame beds (many are four-posters), antiques, period furnishings, and classic artwork. Some have decorative fireplace mantels and shared decks. Six separate cottages with King-sized beds offer a more contemporary feel with polished concrete floors and vaulted ceilings. The inn is open seasonally, from May to mid-October.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
La Posada Hotel near Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Book La Posada Hotel
Sandwiched between the Sante Fe railroad and Route 66 in downtown Winslow, this 1929 mission-style hotel and designated National Historic Landmark is just an hour west of Petrified Forest National Park. It's one of the original 20th-century Harvey Houses, a chain of railroad restaurants and hotels built across the American West, the most famous being the Grand Canyon's El Tovar.
The hotel is surrounded by seven acres of flowering gardens, ponds, and cottonwoods, and its Turquoise Room restaurant and gift shop are popular tourist attractions. The property has been restored to reflect the original mission architecture, and the lobby, with its stone floor, colorful beamed ceilings, southwestern accents, and cozy seating nooks make for a welcoming entrance. There are stone patios to relax and soak up garden views or watch the trains pass by, and an on-site museum exhibits works by local artists.
Rooms are connected by stone passageways and come in a variety of sizes and configurations. All are individually decorated in a southwestern style, with brightly painted walls, wood furnishings, Ponderosa pine beds, handwoven rugs, and wood or tile floors. Some feature original black-and-white tiled bathrooms with six-foot cast-iron tubs. Standard rooms measure a snug 220 square feet; larger rooms have patios or balconies. Views vary and might look out over the gardens, the cottonwood grove, or the south lawn toward the railroad tracks.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Tenaya Lodge near Yosemite, California
Book Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite
Just two miles from the southern entrance of Yosemite, and about an hour to the famed Yosemite Valley, this upscale, year-round mountain resort is particularly well-suited to families. It starts at reception, with a special kids' check-in line, and continues throughout the 50-acre property, which boasts a children's adventure course and climbing wall, game room, daily nature hikes, indoor/outdoor pools, a seasonal ice-skating rink, and a nightly bonfire with s'mores.
Done up in a rustic-meets-modern design, with stone fireplaces and wood-beamed ceilings, the main lodge serves as the hub for dining and activities. There, you'll find Jackalopes Bar and Grill, with a casual menu of burgers and salads, plus a lovely alfresco terrace framed by towering trees. The fireside Embers has a refined selection of pasta, fish, and meat dishes, plus a kid-friendly menu.
Rooms have a homey, cabin-like vibe, with wood furnishings, rustic trim, and sliding wood doors. Entry-level Deluxe rooms are outfitted with a King-sized bed or two Queens and measure 350 square feet, but if you want better views, upgrade to a similar-sized Premium room. Extended rooms offer more space, plus a balcony or patio. The top-of-the-line, two-bedroom Explorer Cabins are a 10-minute walk from the lodge on 27 forested acres and feature kitchenettes, broad decks, and extra amenities such as free breakfast, a daily wine reception, and access to the exclusive Explorer Clubhouse.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
The Advenire near Zion National Park, Utah
Book The Advenire
Opened in February 2020 in the heart of historic St. George, this is the first luxury boutique hotel in the Greater Zion area. It lies about 40 miles west of Zion National Park, while the Red Cliffs National Reserve, with its many hiking trails, is less than a 10-minute drive. The hotel is within walking distance of the town's restaurants and bars, chic art galleries, and stately 19th-century buildings.
Interiors offer a modern take on pioneer architecture with wood-paneled walls, beamed ceilings, contemporary furnishings, and funky, industrial-style lighting. The open-plan wood.ash.rye restaurant offers a southern-infused menu using regional ingredients, while the bar specializes in cocktails made with local craft spirits. On the roof terrace, you'll find a spacious lounge with fire pits and a hot tub, plus amazing views of the surrounding red sandstone cliffs.
Rooms feature wood floors, neutral patterned wallpaper, craftsman furniture, and oversized windows with seating nooks. Entry-level rooms measure 343 square feet and have King-sized beds and city views; pricier top-floor dormer rooms feature vaulted ceilings and enormous windows. Higher-category rooms and suites offer balconies and kitchenettes and boast mountain views. The hotel is part of the Autograph Collection, which means Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and redeem points.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
El Tovar Hotel near the Grand Canyon, Arizona
Book El Tovar Hotel
Nestled mere footsteps from the rim of the Grand Canyon, staying at this 78-room chalet-meets-villa essentially gives you VIP, all-day access to this national park and world wonder.
The hotel, a registered National Historic Landmark, is almost as legendary as the surroundings. Built in 1905, it's welcomed famous visitors such as Teddy Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, Paul McCartney, and Oprah Winfrey, and was designed to appease European tastes.
The hotel is still quite handsome today with its log and brick exterior and dimly lit lobby accented by wood-laden walls, a fireplace, and mounted animals. Standard rooms are modest but small. The quaint decor skews a touch dated but is comfortable and bathrooms are large.
Be aware that while the hotel is right at the doorstep of the canyon, most rooms do not actually have great views. If seeing the Grand Canyon from bed is important, book well in advance and be prepared to pay extra for a suite, which starts around $635 per night. In addition to views, suites offer separate sitting areas and private porches.
Read our full hotel review of El Tovar Hotel
The Inn at Death Valley near Death Valley National Park, California
Book The Inn at Death Valley
Smack-dab in the heart of Death Valley, this four-star inn is part of the Oasis at Death Valley resort, which also includes the family-friendly Ranch at Death Valley just down the road. But this is the more elegant and intimate of the two, set in a gorgeous mission-style building that dates back to 1927, where the likes of Clark Gable and Carole Lombard once stayed.
The inn is perched on a mountain surrounded by palm trees, lush gardens, and fountains—all framed by otherworldly desert formations. The recently renovated property (now open year-round) features a warm, welcoming lobby and bar area with Saltillo tile floors, wood-beamed ceilings, antique furnishings, comfy leather seating, and spectacular views through arched windows. Amenities include a spring-fed outdoor swimming pool with a sprawling stone deck, fireplace, and pool cafe, a new spa and fitness center, and tennis courts. The highlight of the gourmet Inn Dining Room is the terrace, which directly overlooks the shimmering Panamint Range.
Rooms in the main inn are updated and feature an old-school ambiance with graceful furnishings, creamy white headboards, and marble bathrooms. Entry-level Double Rooms measure around 300 square feet, while Deluxe rooms are larger with patios, decorative fireplaces, and mountain views. The 22 new one-bedroom Casitas offer more privacy and space, as well as kitchenettes, patios, and a seating area with a pullout sofa bed. Casitas also come with golf carts to get around the property.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Parker Palm Springs near Joshua Tree National Park, California
Book Parker Palm Springs
The chic desert town of Palm Springs makes an ideal base for exploring Joshua Tree National Park, an easy 45-mile drive east, while the San Bernardino National Forest is also less than an hour away. One of the city's most stylish hotels, this midcentury posh icon is one of our top hotels in Palm Springs. It opened in 1959 as California's first Holiday Inn and a decade ago was entirely transformed into a sleek, contemporary hideaway under the direction of design guru Jonathan Adler.
Interiors pop with bright colors and zingy patterns, and Adler's trademark whimsy is everywhere, from the custom-made needlepoint pillows to animal-shaped poofs. His eclectic designs even extend out to the 13 acres of gardens, where a seven-foot-tall bronze banana sculpture dominates the main lawn. Outdoor amenities include areas for croquet and petanque, clay tennis courts, and two saltwater pools. There's an indoor pool at the standalone spa, dubbed the Palm Springs Yacht Club, which also houses a 24-hour fitness center with tall arched windows overlooking the grounds. Dining-wise, the alfresco terrace of Norma's restaurant draws a fashionable crowd, while dinner and late-night drinks are enjoyed at the glamorous lobby-adjacent Mr. Parker's, tucked behind turquoise velvet doors.
Individually decorated rooms vary in size and layout depending on the building and are similarly playful. Entry-level Estate rooms measure around 320 square feet and are situated near the lobby's bar and restaurant. Deluxe rooms offer more space and proximity to the hotel's Silicon Valley pool. If you crave private outdoor space, spring for a Hammock room, with an enclosed sand patio complete with hammock.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Read our list of the best hotels in Palm Springs
Volcano Village Lodge near Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
Book Volcano Village Lodge
Located 4,000 feet above sea level and surrounded by lush tropical rainforest, waterfalls, and koi ponds, this upscale Big Island bed and breakfast is a true island escape. Wonderfully secluded, the property is just 2 miles from Volcanoes National Park and its active Kīlauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes.
All five handcrafted bungalows have a treehouse-like feel with wood floors, walls, and ceilings, plus huge windows and decks looking onto the rainforest. Each room is individually designed but all feature electric or gas fireplaces, dining tables, seating areas, and kitchenettes. Breakfast (included in rate) is prepared and delivered to rooms each evening.
The smallest is the Hale Kilauea, with a Queen-sized bed and floor-to-ceiling windows surrounded by enormous ferns. Those wanting an airier, larger space will find it's worth spending another $40 or so for one of the three 400-square-foot lodges, which have cathedral ceilings and a variety of amenities such as a spa tub or a lanai that overlooks lava rock formations. There is a two-night minimum stay during the high season.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa near Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Book Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa
Nestled at the base of the skiing wonderland of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, this four-star alpine lodge is also conveniently located near two major national parks: Grand Teton National Park is less than a mile away, while Yellowstone is about a 1.5-hour drive. The hotel partners with several companies that offer a variety of full and half-day tours of both parks, which can all be arranged through the concierge.
Interiors feature a modern mountain flair with a grand timbered lobby, bookended by wood-burning stone fireplaces, and outfitted with cozy contemporary velvet and leather seating. The Spur Restaurant and Bar has a fantastic mountainside patio, and there is also a full-service spa with steam rooms, indoor/outdoor pools, and five hot tubs, including a 22-person rooftop Jacuzzi with incredible mountain vistas.
Rooms are thoughtfully designed with large picture windows, wood headboards, and furnishings that provide a nice rustic touch. Lodge King rooms measure 350 square feet, while the slightly larger Grand King category comes with gas fireplaces, balconies, and kitchenettes.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
More on our methodology for selecting hotels
In addition to the criteria outlined above, we also considered:
Location: Every hotel is what we consider the best hotel near a given national park in the US.
Past stays: We're familiar with the properties on this list through our extensive travel reporting as well as from our own experiences.
Reviews: We also researched guest reviews and ratings on trusted traveler sites such as Trip Advisor, Hotels.com, Booking.com, to confirm that others also had overwhelmingly positive experiences.
Price: We only accepted starting room rates in low season under $400 per night. Though, those prices may surge much higher during high season such as summer weekends.
Experiential value: We chose hotels that are not only close to park entrances and reasonably priced, but offer attractive amenities after a dark in the park as well with great pools, spas, dining, and other recreational activities.
COVID health and safety: We only selected hotels that are prioritizing the health and safety of their guests with new strict new cleaning policies in light of COVID-19.
FAQ: US national parks
How many national parks are in the USA?
Today the National Park Service counts 62 national parks in 29 states and US territories.
Where are the most national parks?
The greatest number of parks are in California, including Yosemite, known for spectacular granite cliffs and ancient giant sequoia groves. In stark contrast, there's also Death Valley, the largest park in the lower 48, made up of 3.4 million acres of desolate, surreal desert landscape.
Next door, Arizona is home to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon, and the lesser-known but still fascinating Petrified National Forest, where fossilized trees date back millions of years. And Wyoming lays claim to the nation's oldest national park, Yellowstone, famous for hot springs and gushing geysers, while nearby Grand Teton National Park is a stunning alpine wilderness of jagged snowy peaks and glacial lakes.
Are there hotels in national parks?
There are, but many national park hotels often book far in advance. However, many hotels are typically located near entrances to national parks to serve traveler needs and often have cheaper pricing, more amenities, and a greater variety of types of lodging.
Is it safe to stay in a hotel during COVID?
The CDC has said that fully vaccinated people can safely travel in the US.
And if you're booking a hotel, rest easier knowing that most hotels have implemented strict new cleaning procedures to ensure guest safety. You will, however, encounter other people in common spaces such as lobbies, restaurants, and pools, but experts say that with added precaution, hotels are safe.
To minimize risks, follow CDC guidelines and wearing a mask, wash and sanitize hands, and follow social distancing.
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