America's Best idea was the creation of the National Park System.
I think the second best was the creation of the National Park Lodges because these structures were built with a vision.
The vision was to give park visitors an unforgettable travel experience by allowing them to spend the night in a park next to one of its iconic destinations.
America's National Park Lodges, Hotels, and Inns
These lodges not only allowed visitors to be close to an iconic destination but were constructed in a manner that they became a destination themselves to see and explore.
This was accomplished by studying the area surroundings and building lodges that blended in with their environment with architecture that has come to be known as "Parkitecture".
Now park visitors come to see Old Faithful erupt at Yellowstone National Park, then they go explore the Old Faithful Inn with its whimsical log architecture, massive centerpiece fireplace, and massive dining hall as they have lunch.
Exploring America's National Park Lodges, Hotels, and Inns has easily become one of the most memorable parts of a visitor's national park vacation.
Lodge Amenities
The first thing I like to remind someone who has never stayed in a National Park Lodge before is that National Park lodges are not like today's typical hotel rooms.
Hotels today are designed to have things you would need at your home like multiple USB plug-ins, a color flatscreen TV with cable, a gym, High-speed WIFI and/or ethernet plug-in internet service, complimentary continental breakfast, and a swimming pool.
Many of the National Park Lodges were constructed in the early 1900s and leisure travel was considered a luxury for most Americans. This meant that leisure travel became a social event that required dressing up for dinner and socializing with other guests.
Many of the rooms themselves did not have a private bath or shower as extra space was saved for large communal social gathering areas like large dining rooms and lobbies.
Many lobbies will have large fireplaces, several seating areas, a gift shop, local art, and a piano.
National Park Entrance Fees
Most National Parks in the United States require an entrance fee. Even if you have a Lodge reservation, you still have to pay the fee to enter the park.
Depending if you plan on visiting more than one park in a calendar year, it may be beneficial to purchase the National Park System's America the Beautiful/National Park Pass (the interagency annual pass).
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.
Parkitecture
Parkitecture, also known as National Park Rustic Architecture, is the thought of building something that harmonizes with nature, something that seems to fit right into place and just belongs without deterring from nature's beauty.
Parkitecture was first seen a century ago, although the actual term is a much more recent expression.
The features that define the Parkitecture style are massive overhangs, wide log or timber columns, and multiple roofs and peaks. Features are likely wood and stone that are native to the area.
The structure seems to nestle itself into the landscape, almost as if the landscape is sprouting up around the building itself. This leads to the appreciation of the goal of national parks.
Their visitors get the feel of the buildings blending into the land and not encroaching on its beauty.
As the beauty of National Park structures is appreciated through the years, millions of visitors lead to a trend in architecture that is clearly popular in residential houses all over the country.
Families are seeking specialized lumber, columns, and stones for the building of their rustic-style homes. New land being bought and developed is satisfying the hunger for Americans to build their own getaways in the mountains, forests, and the depths of nature.
New road construction makes it easier to build and access these new homes.
Although the term was not used until recently, "Parkitecture" has long been a sense of peaceful beauty that millions of park visitors have appreciated for over a century.
Below is a list of National Park Lodges, hotels, and Inns in the parks. How many have you been to?
Acadia National Park, Maine
I am constantly getting asked, "Is there lodging in Acadia National Park."
There are no Acadia National Park lodging options within the park. The good news is that there are several options for lodging near Acadia National Park, especially in Bar Harbor.
Here is a list of a few local options available when visiting Acadia.
The Inn at Mount Desert - is a 9.6/10-star review hotel in Bar Harbor. The best part is that you are close to the park and Bar Harbor Whale Watching and the hotel offers free breakfast, free parking, free WIFI, and air conditioning.
Click here to book your stay at The Inn at Mount Desert
The Elmhurst Inn - is a 9.8/10-star review hotel in Bar Harbor. This cozy bed and breakfast has free breakfast, air-conditioning, WIFI, and parking included and is only a 2-minute walk to the West Street Historic District and close to whale watching tours and Acadia National Park.
Click here to book your stay at The Elmhurst Inn.
Asticou Inn - One of the closest places you can stay to the park is the Asticou Inn. Built in 1883, this breathtaking 19th-century hotel sits on Mount Desert Island with views of the blue waters of Northwest Harbor. Don't forget to have lunch or dinner here and miss out on great food and fantastic views too.
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Badlands National Park is located in western South Dakota and is a great national park for road trips. It can be combined with Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
You can stretch it out a little more and add Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota and Devils Tower in Wyoming. Badlands National Park is the only park from this list to have lodging options and space is limited. Make sure to get your reservations in early!
Cedar Pass Lodge - The Cedar Pass Lodge provides the only in-park lodging. It also allows you to wake up with epic views of the Badlands at sunrise and it is indeed spectacular. Cedar Pass Lodge opened in 1928 before the park was a National Monument.
Click here to book your stay at Cedar Pass Lodge.
Badlands Inn - The Badlands Inn is located just outside the park entrance but is within a couple of miles of the most popular attractions.
Park Alert: Badlands Inn Closure
- The Badlands Inn is currently Closed while it is being transferred to a new Concessionaire ExplorUS. There is no confirmed reopening date at this time.
- Lodging is still available in Badlands National Park at Cedar Pass Lodge.
Big Bend National Park, Texas
In the far western portion of Texas bordering next to Mexico and the Rio Grande is Big Bend National Park. It is well known for incredible sunsets, dark night skies, and a bird watchers paradise as 450 different birds have been recorded here!
Chisos Mountain Lodge - Chisos Mountain Lodge is located in the heart of Big Bend NP. The lodge has one of the best views of sunset we have found in any park.
Click Here to book your stay at Chisos Mountain Lodge
Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
There are three options for lodging along the Blue Ridge Parkway. These lodges are a great way to explore the 469 miles of parkway that runs through Virginia and North Carolina, linking Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Blue Ridge Parkway Lodging options include:
Peaks of Otter Lodge (Virginia) is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Bedford, Virginia, with beautiful views of the mountains and the lake. It is rated 8.6 out of 10 stars by almost a thousand reviews. Amenities include free parking, free WIFI, pet friendly (for a fee), air conditioning, a grocery/convenience store, a bar, and a restaurant. Check-in time starts at 3 PM, and check-out is before 11 AM.
Click here to book your stay at The Peaks of Otter Lodge.
The Pisgah Inn - opened its doors in 1919 and is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway southwest of Asheville, North Carolina. Expect beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains in a nice, quiet setting.
Park Alert: Bluffs Lodge Closure
- Bluffs Lodge at Doughton Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway has been closed since 2010 and is not currently accepting guests while the National Park Service seeks an operator for its rehabilitation and reopening. The Bluffs Restaurant at the same location is open seasonally. Check BRPFoundation.org for reopening updates.
Bluffs Lodge - One of only three hotels sitting directly on the Blue Ridge Parkway, a beloved 1949 rustic motor lodge perched at 3,750 feet in the heart of Doughton Park at Milepost 241.1, with sweeping views of the Pisgah National Forest plunging away from the ridge below.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Bryce Canyon is the largest concentration of Hoodoos on the planet! These whimsical rock formations will dazzle your imagination whether you stand at an overlook or get out and hike amongst them.
Lodge at Bryce Canyon - The Lodge at Bryce Canyon offers both lodge rooms and cabins near the rim of Bryce Canyon. You can easily walk from the lodge to the scenic overlooks of the hoodoos.
Click Here to Book the Bryce Canyon Lodge
The Lodge at Bryce Canyon fills up fast! If you can't find a room in the park, the Best Western Plus Ruby's Inn is just outside the park in Bryce Canyon City.
The Best Western Plus Ruby's Inn - is rated a 8.6/10 star review hotel with free parking, an electric charging station on site, free buffet breakfast available daily, and Free WIFI. There is also two restaurants on site, indoor pool, spa tub, seasonal outdoor pool, gym, bike rentals, helicopter/airplane tours and horseback riding available in the area.
Click here to book your stay at The Best Western Plus Ruby's Inn.
Buffalo National River, Arkansas
Buffalo Point Cabins and Lodge offers rustic cabins, modern duplexes, and lodge rooms within Buffalo National River.
Buffalo Point Cabins and Lodge - The only lodging inside Buffalo National River, America's first designated national river, perched on a bluff above one of the most beautiful stretches of the Buffalo River in the heart of the Arkansas Ozarks.
Canyon De Chelly National Monument, Arizona
The historic Thunderbird Lodge in Canyon De Chelly NM is Navajo owned and operated. The lodge offers the opportunity to enjoy a true canyon experience.
Thunderbird Lodge - The Thunderbird Lodge is the only lodge in Canyon De Chelly and is owned and operated by the Navajo. They also have a restaurant and guided tours into the canyon.
Click here to book your stay at The Thunderbird Lodge.
Outside the park
Best Western Canyon De Chelly Inn - is a short 4-minute drive to the park and offers free parking, WIFI, an indoor pool, gym, in-room refrigerator, and air-conditioning. They do not have free breakfast but they do have a restaurant available on site.
Click here to book your stay at The Best Western Canyon De Chelly Inn.
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Staying at Crater Lake NP is an amazing way to experience the park. You can sit out on the lodge's back deck and take in the epic view of Crater Lake!
The cabins at Mazama Village are lower in the park near the visitor center and have additional visitor services, but they still have easy access to Rim Road.
Cabins at Mazama Village - These cabins may not be on the rim of Crater Lake but they are not far away and have excellent access to the park.
Crater Lake Lodge - The Crater Lake Lodge sits on the rim of Crater Lake and offers breathtaking views of the lake itself.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
The Inn at Brandywine Falls overlooks Brandywine Waterfall in Cuyahoga Valley NP. The inn was built in 1848 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Inn offers 6 rooms for visitors. Your stay includes a 9 am candlelight breakfast.
Death Valley National Park, California
The lodging in Death Valley NP offers the chance to stay in a historic lodge, enjoy an epic dark sky park, and stay far away from any large city.
The Inn at Death Valley - Formerly the Furnace Creek Inn, The Inn at Death Valley is a AAA four-diamond resort with jaw-dropping views of the park, the Panamint Mountains, palm trees throughout the property, and a spring-fed pool.
Click here to book your stay in this incredible resort!
The Ranch at Death Valley - Located on Ca Hwy 190 right next to the Visitor Center and the Furnace Creek Golf Course, the world's lowest Golf Course! You will also find shopping, restaurants, and a gas station. The Ranch at Death Valley has a pool, bar, breakfast available, Free WIFI, Air-Conditioning, a spa, and much more!
Click here to book your stay at The Ranch at Death Valley.
Panamint Springs Resort - A small, rustic, western-style resort located on the west side of the park. Here you will find lodging, camping, gas, a general store, and a restaurant and bar. This pet-friendly resort has free WIFI, parking, and an electric car charging station.
Click here to book your stay at the Panamint Springs Resort.
Stovepipe Wells Village - Located next to the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, this hotel has a swimming pool, dining room, and gift shop.
Click here to book your stay at Stovepipe Wells Village.
Everglades National Park, Florida
Everglades National Park is the only National Park site in Florida that has Lodging available. They also offer glamping tents and houseboats for rent!
Flamingo Lodge - opened in November 2023 with 24 guest rooms and an indoor/outdoor restaurant. Highlights in the Flamingo Area include sunsets over Flamingo Bay. These rooms are very popular and filling up fast so make sure to get a reservation in early to ensure availability.
Click here to book your stay at Flamingo Lodge.
Glacier National Park, Montana
We have the Great Northern Railway to thank for several of the Iconic National Park Lodges in Glacier National Park.
This was because the railroads were maxing out their profits from freight travel so they had an idea.
Their plan was to increase passenger service on their trains by building massive lodges in Glacier National Park.
Apgar Village Lodge - I stayed in the creekside motel and the rooms were very small but the location is fantastic and the price was great too.
Glacier Park Lodge - This lodge has a main lobby lined with Massive Douglas Fir Pillar and tons of spaces to sit down and relax
Click here to book your stay at the Glacier Park Lodge.
Lake McDonald Lodge - Don't forget to take the Lake McDonald Boat tour right outside the lodge! You are also close to one of my favorite hikes in Glacier, The Trail of the Cedars.
Click here to book your stay at the Lake McDonald Lodge.
Many Glacier Hotel - Often referred to as the "Switzerland of North America," this Swiss Chalet-Style lodge has one of the most epic views overlooking Swiftcurrent Lake and the incredible and fascinating double helix staircase in the main lobby. This lodge has several activities available including boat cruises on Swiftcurrent Lake, horseback riding, and of course taking tour on one of Glacier's iconic Red Busses.
Click here to book your stay at the Many Glacier Hotel.
Motel Lake McDonald - Here is another budget-friendly lodge in Glacier. Nothing luxurious but you are a short walk to the Lake McDonald Lodge and the Trail of the Cedars.
Rising Sun Motor Inn - Located on the East side of the world-famous Going to the Sun Road. Nice rooms that have a history of bears all around so make sure to stay bear aware.
Click here to book your stay at the Rising Sun Motor Inn.
Swiftcurrent Motor Inn - is located near the Many Glacier Hotel in the eastern portion of Glacier National Park.
Click here to book your stay at the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn.
Village Inn at Apgar - I love this lodge! I love the 70's look inside this classic-looking motor inn. I also think the view of Lake McDonald can't be beaten from your room!
Click here to book your stay at the Village Inn at Apgar.
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Glacier Bay Lodge offers visitors the opportunity to wake up with an epic view of Bartlett Cove in Glacier Bay. The only way to reach the lodge is by flying into Gustavus, Alaska, or on a private boat with a permit. This remote lodge is one of the most unique lodges in the National Park System.
Glacier Bay Lodge - This was one of the most relaxing lodges I have ever stayed at! You are in a temperate rainforest region so we definitely heard the light rain hit the roof of our cabin that just put me right to sleep. Maybe it's just me, or perhaps a park ranger thing, but I love the smell of the forest when it rains! the combination of these two things gave me the best sleep I have had in years! Don't forget to go to the restaurant and get the Halibut for dinner, it was fantastic! We sat out on the back deck afterward and saw humpback whales in Bartlett Cove from our chairs!
Click here to book your stay at the Glacier Bay Lodge.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona
There are three lodging options within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. They are spread throughout the park offering the opportunity to explore different regions of this gorgeous park.
Defiance House Lodge in Bullfrog - The 48 newly remodeled rooms are in a remote and wonderfully secluded lakeside lodge perched on a hillside overlooking Bullfrog Bay and the stunning Water Pocket Fold mountain range, the most isolated full-service lodge inside Glen Canyon National Recreation Area!
Click here to book your stay at Defiance House Lodge in Bullfrog.
Halls Crossing and Marina - The most remote and adventurous lodging option inside Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, sitting directly on the shores of Lake Powell at Halls Crossing Marina on the stunning Utah side of the lake!
Lake Powell Resort - This 348 room premier in-park resort sitting directly on the shores of Lake Powell at Wahweap Marina, with jaw-dropping views of Tower Butte, Antelope Island, and Navajo Mountain right from your room!
Click here to book your stay at the Lake Powell Resort.
Golden Gate National Recreation Area & San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, California
Most people don't realize that there are three lodges within Golden Gate National Recreation Area. These hotels offer the incredible opportunity to wake up with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge and experience how amazing the area is.
The Argonaut - is located in San Francisco, with easy access to many of the city's top attractions. The Argonaut is a AAA 4 diamond Award hotel for twenty years. Several rooms even boast epic water views of San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge and walking distance to Ghirardelli Square, Fisherman's Wharf, and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.
Click here to book your stay at The Argonaut.
Cavallo Point - The Lodge at the Golden Gate - is located in San Francisco nestled at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge! Here is your chance to experience luxury lodging, activities, and one of San Francisco Bay's top culinary experiences while visiting the Golden Gate National Recreation Area!
Click here to book your stay at Cavallo Point.
Inn at the Presidio - is located in San Francisco's Presidio next to Fort Point and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. They have 22 rooms, 17 of which are suites with fireplaces and has beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge, beaches, forests and several trails for hiking and biking.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Grand Canyon National Park Lodges is one of the few parks that provide numerous lodging facilities with a variety of opportunities including historic lodges, cabins, and modern hotels.
The majority of park visitors travel to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon thus most of the lodges and services are located there as well.
Park Ranger John Pro Tip
For a unique fun adventure, travel to the Grand Canyon like the early park visitors did, by rail! Yes, instead of driving into the park, drive to Williams, Arizona, and hop aboard the Grand Canyon Railway.
There's even a wild west shootout before you depart and tunes of the west during the ride.
Once you arrive at the train station in the Grand Canyon, either take a bus walk over to your hotel and enjoy your stay. Did I mention that there are also several South Rim Restaurants to dine at?
I loved every meal at the El Tovar Dining Room and the service was fantastic! We even got lucky and had a view of the canyon from my table.
South Rim Lodges and Hotels
Park Alert: Several Park Locations closed from a Flash Flood That Occured on 8/31/26
- All Overnight Lodging inside the South Rim including: El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, and Yavapai Lodge (Ongoing Water infrastructure impacts).
- Limited Lodging might be available in Tusayan (Just outside the Parks South Entrance Gate) at the Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon and Grand Canyon Hotel & Suites.
- The NPS hopes to have water running again on November 16, 2026 and overnight lodging might begin a phased reopening around Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026) pending successful water system restoration.
- Trailer Village RV Park
- Phantom Ranch, Cabins, canteen, and facilities closed.
- Cottonwood Campground and Bright Angel Campground (inside the canyon)
- North Kaibab Trail is entirely closed from the North Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch
- River Crossings: The Black Bridge and Silver Bridge spanning the Colorado River are closed
- Inner-Canyon Areas: Supai Tunnel, Manzanita Day Use Area, and Phantom Delta Areas remain Restricted.
Bright Angel Lodge - The Bright Angel Lodge has several cabins along the rim of the canyon! We had a Canyon view room and was a perfect location in the winter to simply stare off into the canyon in a warm room with a cup of coffee.
Click here to book your stay at Bright Angel Lodge.
El Tovar Hotel - The 78-room El Tovar Hotel opened its doors in 1905 as a former Harvey House. The hotel was constructed of native stone and Oregon pine. The hotel has hosted amazing dignitaries and celebrities including President Theodore Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, and President Bill Clinton.
Click here to book your stay at the El Tovar Hotel.
Kachina Lodge - The Kachina Lodge is right next to the El Tovar Hotel. The rooms are very comfortable and close to everything but does not have anything for services. You check in at the El Tovar.
Click here to book your stay at the Kachina Lodge.
Thunderbird Lodge - The Thunderbird Lodge has nice comfortable rooms and is located next to the Bright Angel Lodge. You will check in at the Bright Angel Lodge and find most services at either the Bright Angel Lodge or the El Tovar.
Click here to book your stay at the Thunderbird Lodge.
Maswik Lodge - The Maswik Lodge is another nice lodge but is not located right at the rim of the Grand Canyon but is just a short walk to the other hotels and rim of the canyon. They have several dining options to choose from.
Click here to book your stay at the Maswik Lodge.
Yavapai Lodge - Yavapai Lodge is located near the south rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. The lodge offers comfortable rooms with easy access to the South Rim and amazing Grand Canyon Viewpoints.
Click here to book your stay at the Yavapai Lodge.
Hermit's Rest (No Longer a lodge for overnight accommodations)
Architect Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter has been referred by some to be the Mother of Parkitecture.
Her interest in southwest Native American ruins inspired Hermit's Rest which includes a large number of native stones that meshed perfectly with the unique environment within the Grand Canyon. The park service used her ideas to build many structures with the same style.
North Rim Lodges and Hotels
Grand Canyon Lodge This is the only lodging option on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The lodge has a restaurant, parking, gym, and laundry facilities.
Park Alert: North Rim Grand Canyon Closures
- On July 13, 2025, The Dragon Bravo Fire destroyed the Grand Canyon Lodge, along with 50 to 80 other structures on the North Rim.
- At this time there is no official reopening date or active construction timeline to rebuild the Historic Grand Canyon Lodge. Lodging is available in Kanab and Page Arizona.
- There are also several trail closures due to the Flash Flood that occured on 8/31/26. Area closures include:
- The North Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch, Phantom Ranch, Cottonwood Campground, Bright Angel Campground, The Black Bridge and Silver Bridge, River Trail between River Resthouse and Black Bridge, South Kaibab Trail below the tipoff, Bright Angel Point Trail, Widforss Trail, Transept Trail, Arizona Trail between North Kaibab Trailhead and the W1-A (Old Entrance Road), Ken Patrick Trail west between the North Kaibab Trailhead and Cape Royal Road, and Uncle Jim Trail.
Lodges in the Grand Canyon
Phantom Ranch - The Phantom Ranch is located at the bottom of the Grand Canyon and there are only two ways to get there, By hiking or by taking a mule ride. Just remember that there is limited space and if you want to stay here, you need to make a reservation.
Grand Teton National Park & John D Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway, Wyoming
Grand Teton National Park is one of my all-time favorite National Parks! Surrounded by the towns of Jackson and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, this park offers epic views of the Tetons and is a wildlife haven! Grand Teton NP lodging includes historic cabins, a dude ranch, a climbers club, and a lodge with one of the best views of any National Park Lodge.
Colter Bay Village - The Colter Bay Cabins are located next to Colter Bay Village and offer amazing access to the lake and water activities. They are spread out in the trees with easy parking in front of them.
Click here to book your stay at Colter Bay Village.
Headwaters Lodge and Cabins at Flagg Ranch - Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch is located along the Rockefeller Memorial Parkway in between Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
Click here to book your stay at Headwaters Lodge and Cabins at Flagg Ranch.
Jackson Lake Lodge - Jackson Lake Lodge offers a variety of 385 rooms including view rooms, lodge rooms, and cabins. Amenities include a swimming pool, epic views of willow flats, modern design, and comfort in the heart of Grand Teton National Park.
Click here to book your stay at the Jackson Lake Lodge.
Jenny Lake Lodge - Jenny Lake Lodge is extremely popular, especially because of its location near Jenny lake! Rooms here always fill up fast, just like the parking spaces at Jenny Lake itself. The lodge does have a restaurant, free WIFI, breakfast available, a bar, tea/coffee makers in each room and more.
Click here to book your stay at Jenny Lake Lodge.
Signal Mountain Lodge - Signal Mountain Lodge has some of the best views period. I could have easily and happily spent the entire weekend on the back deck with a cup of coffee sitting in the Adirondack chair looking out over Jackson Lake and the Tetons in the background! I dream of going back again!
Click here to book your stay at Signal Mountain Lodge.
Triangle X Ranch - Celebrated 100 years in 2026, the only dude ranch operating inside Grand Teton National Park and one of the most authentic Western experiences in the American national park system!
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
LeConte Lodge- is located at 6400 feet just below the summit of Mt. LeConte. Visitors will need to hike a minimum of 5.0 miles up to 9.1 miles to reach the lodge. There are no roads leading to the lodge.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
This tropical paradise is located on the southern portion of the Big Island of Hawaii and hours away from the tourist area of Kona.
Volcano House - Volcano House is perched near the rim of Kilauea volcano crater offering amazing views of the crater.
Click here to book your stay at the Volcano House.
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
Hotel Hale - The only hotel located inside Hot Springs National Park, occupying the oldest standing bathhouse building on iconic Bathhouse Row, built in 1892 and now one of the most unique boutique hotel experiences in the entire national park system!
Click here to book your stay at Hotel Hale.
Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
Rock Harbor Lodge -Rock Harbor Lodge is located in northwestern Lake Superior is within Isle Royale National Park. The only way to reach the lodge is via seaplane or boat.
Kings Canyon National Park, California
There are two lodging options within Kings Canyon NP. Both of the lodges offer the unique opportunity to wake up near the Giant Sequoia Trees the park is famous for.
Cedar Grove Lodge - Cedar Grove Lodge is located in the heart of Cedar Grove in Kings Canyon National Park. Approximately 35 miles from the Grant Grove this area of the park is quieter and offers amazing hiking opportunities.
Click here to book your stay at Cedar Grove Lodge.
John Muir Lodge - John Muir Lodge is located near Grant Grove Village in Kings Canyon National Park. The John Muir Lodge has 36 rooms available year-round. The lodge is located truly in the heart of Kings Canyon NP.
Click here to book your stay at John Muir Lodge.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada
The three resorts in Lake Mead NRA offer visitors the opportunity to stay next to the lakeshore. They are spread throughout the park making it easy to check out different regions of this great park.
Cottonwood Cove Resort - A classic Mission 66-era lakeside resort tucked on the Nevada shore of Lake Mohave inside Lake Mead National Recreation Area, one of the Southwest's best-kept secrets just an hour north of Laughlin.
Lake Mohave Resort - is a full-service lakeside resort sitting directly on the stunning deep blue waters of Lake Mohave inside Lake Mead National Recreation Area, just north of Bullhead City, Arizona.
Temple Bar Resort - is the only resort on the Arizona side of Lake Mead, sitting in one of the most remote and spectacular locations inside Lake Mead National Recreation Area, named for the jaw-dropping towering Temple rock formation rising across the crystal blue water.
Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
Lassen Volcanic National Park is located in the Northeastern portion of California.
Drakesbad Guest Ranch - Drakesbad Guest Ranch is tucked away in the southeast corner of Lassen Volcanic NP. The guest ranch offers primitive cabins tucked away in the woods. Perfect for getting away and enjoying nature. 2 night stay minimum.
Click here to book your stay at Drakesbad Guest Ranch.
Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Lodge at Mammoth Cave - The Lodge at Mammoth Cave offers Sunset Terrace and Heritage Trail motel rooms along with Historic and Woodland Cottages. The great thing about staying at the Mammoth Cave lodge is you have easy access to early cave tours and to explore the park.
Click here to book your stay at the Lodge at Mammoth Cave.
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Far View Lodge is located 15 miles from the entrance to Mesa Verde NP perched near the historic ancient cliff dwellings and major attractions within the park. The view from the lodge is amazing and one you don't want to miss.
Far View Lodge - Far View Lodge is the only lodging available within Mesa Verde NP. The lodge is located 15 miles from the park entrance and provides amazing views over the parklands.
Click here to book your stay at the Far View Lodge.
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
There are two lodging options within Mt. Rainier NP. The historic Paradise Inn is located up the mountain near the main visitor center. The National Park Inn is open year-round at the base of the mountain in historic Longmire.
National Park Inn - The National Park Inn offers 25 guest rooms and is the only lodging inside Mount Rainier National Park open year-round, a beloved 1917 historic inn nestled in the ancient forest of the Longmire Historic District at 2,700 feet, just 6.5 miles from the Nisqually Entrance.
Click here to book your stay at the National Park Inn.
Paradise Inn - A National Historic Landmark and one of the designated "Great Lodges of the West," perched at 5,400 feet inside Mount Rainier National Park! The Inn offers 121 guest rooms, a 200-seat dining room, a gift shop, the Tatoosh Café, and the magnificent lobby.
Click here to book your stay at Paradise Inn.
North Cascades National Park, Washington
One thing about staying in a lodge at North Cascades NP is you need to plan for an adventure. A boat ride across Lake Chelan is required to reach the lodges at Stehekin. To reach Ross Lake Resort you will want to plan for hiking in or taking a ferry shuttle to reach the floating cabins.
Park Alert: North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin Closure
- North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin is currently closed for the 2026 season and will not offer lodging, dining, retail, fuel, laundry, or shower services due to historic flooding that occurred in December 2025. Ferry service, postal service, and private tours continue to operate. Please check back for 2027 reopening updates.
North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin - Located on the shore of Lake Chelan, this is one of the most remote and bucket-list-worthy lodges in the entire national park system, accessible only by passenger ferry, seaplane, or a very long hike into the wilderness of North Cascades National Park!
Ross Lake Resort - One of the most extraordinary and hard-to-reach lodging experiences in the entire national park system, a collection of 15 rustic floating log cabins perched directly on the turquoise glacial waters of Ross Lake inside North Cascades National Park with no road access whatsoever.
Stehekin Valley Ranch - is a private, family-owned guest ranch that located inside the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.
Olympic National Park, Washington
The lodges at Olympic National Park are some of our favorite National Park Lodges to stay in. The view from the Kalaloch Lodge is unbelievable.
Kalaloch Lodge - The only oceanfront lodge in Olympic National Park, perched on a dramatic bluff where Kalaloch Creek meets the driftwood-strewn shores of the Pacific Ocean, one of the most spectacular lodge settings in the entire national park system.
Click here to book your stay at the Kalaloch Lodge.
Lake Crescent Lodge - Lake Crescent Lodge is located right on the shores of Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park. This lodge offers a variety of lodging options including lodge rooms and cottages.
Click here to book your stay at Lake Crescent Lodge.
Lake Quinault Lodge - A PBS Great Lodges of the National Parks featured property and one of the most beautiful historic lodges in the Pacific Northwest, sitting on the shores of glacial Lake Quinault at the edge of Olympic National Park since 1926.
Click here to book your stay at Lake Quinault Lodge.
Log Cabin Resort - The Log Cabin Resort is located on beautiful Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park, Washington.
Click here to book your stay at the Log Cabin Resort.
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort - The only developed hot springs resort inside a national park in the entire Pacific Northwest, tucked 12 miles deep into the ancient rainforest of Olympic National Park along the banks of the Sol Duc River!
Click here to book your stay at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort.
Oregon Caves National Monument, Oregon
Park Alert: The Chateau at Oregon Caves Closure
- The Chateau at Oregon Caves National Monument is currently closed indefinitely and unavailable for lodging or dining due to a large-scale structural rehabilitation project. The NPS is evaluating next steps following the termination of the original construction contract in March 2023. Cave tours continue to operate seasonally. Please check back for reopening updates.
The Chateau at the Oregon Caves - A National Historic Landmark and one of the National Park's designated Great Lodges, a stunning six-story rustic masterpiece built in 1934 from Port Orford cedar bark and cave marble, perched directly above Cave Creek inside Oregon Caves National Monument.
The main goal of the Parkitecture style is for the structure to blend effortlessly with the nature that surrounds it. This Chateau at Oregon Caves is perhaps one of the finest examples.
Its rocks are the same marble as seen in the nearby Oregon Caves and the bark which covers the structure is from local cedar trees native to Oregon. This lodge essentially sits in a gorge, with painstaking work done to support and secure the structure.
The third floor comes in at eye level when entering - so literally half the building sits in the gorge and half rises out of the gorge and towers up with the cedar trees.
Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri
The Ozark National Scenic Riverways in southern Missouri protects 134 miles of the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork Rivers, the first national park area established specifically to preserve a river system. Fed by some of the largest freshwater springs in the world, the crystal clear 58-degree waters draw canoeists, kayakers, tubers, and trout fishermen from across the country year-round.
Park Alert: Big Spring Lodge and Cabins Closure
The lodge underwent renovation and is fully rehabilitated but not yet open. The NPS needs to finalize a concession contract. It is not known when the contract will be filled and the lodge reopened.
Check with the NPS.gov/ozar page and the Ozark National Scenic Riverways Facebook page are the best places to check for reopening updates.
Big Spring Lodge and Cabins - A beautifully restored National Register of Historic Places treasure built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, sitting along the banks of the Current River next to Big Spring, one of the largest freshwater springs in the entire United States flowing an average of 289 million gallons of water daily!
Sequoia National Park, California
Wuksachi Lodge is located in the Giant Forest area of Sequoia NP. It is surrounded by big trees and epic views.
Wuksachi Lodge - Sequoia National Park's flagship lodge with 100 rooms, sits at 7,200 feet and is surrounded by the most magnificent giant sequoia forest on earth, just minutes from the General Sherman Tree, the largest living tree on the planet!
Click here to book your stay at Wuksachi Lodge.
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Shenandoah NP has three epic lodging opportunities ranging from cabins to historic lodge rooms.
Skyland Resort - The highest lodging on all of Skyline Drive at 3,680 feet, a historic resort established in 1888 spread across 28 buildings and 16 acres of Shenandoah wilderness with some of the most breathtaking valley views found at any national park lodge on the East Coast!
Click here to book your stay at the Skyland Resort.
Big Meadows Lodge - A National Register of Historic Places treasure perched at mile 51 of Skyline Drive in the heart of Shenandoah National Park, sitting adjacent to the famous Big Meadow where black bears, white-tailed deer, and some of the best stargazing skies on the East Coast await.
Click here to book your stay at Big Meadows Lodge.
Lewis Mountain Cabins - The most affordable and most authentically rustic cabins inside Shenandoah National Park, tucked in the Blue Ridge forest at mile 57.5 of Skyline Drive, just 75 miles from Washington D.C.
Virgin Islands National Park, US Virgin Islands
Virgin Islands National Park is located on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Cinnamon Bay Resort - The only place to stay inside Virgin Islands National Park, sitting directly on the longest and most beautiful beach on the island of St. John with turquoise Caribbean water, coconut palms, and the lush green hills of the national park as your backyard.
Cinnamon Bay Resort offers eco-tents and cottages with direct access to Cinnamon Bay Beach.
Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
Kettle Falls Hotel and Resort - The only lodging inside Voyageurs National Park, a National Register of Historic Places gem built in 1913 and accessible only by boat or floatplane, sitting at the remote intersection of Rainy Lake and Namakan Lake on the U.S./Canada border.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone is unique for many reasons. It is not only America's first national park but also the world's first national park. Many guests will appreciate that Yellowstone Lodges are the most pet-friendly in the National Park System.
There is a wide variety of Yellowstone National Park Lodges, including historic lodges, cabins, and National Park Hotels. Xanterra manages these lodges as well as several campgrounds, including Bridge Bay, Fishing Bridge RV Park, and Madison campgrounds.
Canyon Lodge - Yellowstone's largest in-park lodge with over 500 rooms and cabins, sitting just half a mile from the breathtaking Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and its thundering Upper and Lower Falls!
Click here to book your stay at Canyon Lodge.
Canyon Lodge Cabins - The Canyon Lodge is the largest lodging facility within Yellowstone National Park. The Canyon Lodge Cabins offer easy access to everything the Canyon Lodge has to offer while staying in a great cabin.
Click here to book your stay at Canyon Lodge Cabins.
Grant Village Lodge - has 300 motel-style rooms and is the most modern and family-friendly lodging option near Yellowstone Lake, sitting on the southwest shore just 2 miles from the spectacular West Thumb Geyser Basin where hydrothermal features bubble and steam directly into the lake.
Click here to book your stay at Grant Village Lodge.
Lake Lodge Cabins - The most relaxed and affordable way to stay on Yellowstone Lake, with a classic log main lodge featuring a wide front porch lined with rocking chairs and unobstructed lake views that rival anything in the park.
Click here to book your stay at Lake Lodge Cabins.
Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins - The Lake Yellowstone Hotel is a National Historic Landmark and a Green Seal Gold Certified hotel. Located on the shores of Lake Yellowstone you can enjoy epic sweeping views over the lake and easy access to other attractions within the park.
Click here to book your stay at Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins.
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel - The only Yellowstone in-park lodge open year-round, a beautifully renovated 1936 historic gem sitting just 5 miles from the North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana, surrounded by the famous travertine terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs and resident elk herds that graze the grounds daily.
Click here to book your stay at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.
Mammoth Hot Springs Cabins - Cozy historic cabins tucked behind the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, just steps from the iconic travertine terraces and some of the best wildlife watching in all of Yellowstone, with elk and bison regularly wandering through the cabin area.
Click here to book your stay at Mammoth Hot Springs Cabins.
Old Faithful Inn - The most iconic hotel in the American national park system, a National Historic Landmark and the largest log structure in the world, sitting just steps from Old Faithful geyser!
Click here to book your stay at Old Faithful Inn.
Old Faithful Lodge Cabins - The most affordable and budget-friendly way to sleep steps from Old Faithful, inside a historic 1920s lodge built of massive logs and stone pillars with the best indoor geyser viewing window of any lodge in Old Faithful Village.
Click here to book your stay at Old Faithful Lodge Cabins.
Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Cabins - One of only two lodges open in winter inside Yellowstone, a stunning award-winning parkitecture masterpiece with heavy timber construction, exterior log columns, and a cedar shingle roof, just a 5-minute walk from Old Faithful.
Click here to book your stay at Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Cabins.
Roosevelt Lodge Cabins - Roosevelt Cabins has two types of cabins available: Frontier Cabins and Roughrider Cabins. The difference is that Frontier Cabins have a private bathroom and a shower, while Roughrider Cabins do not have a bathroom but have communal bathrooms and showers nearby.
I also love the fact that they offer an old west dinner cookout, horseback rides, and stagecoach adventures! You will also be located at the beginning of Lamar Valley (America's Serengeti) where wildlife viewing opportunities are endless and close to some of the best fly-fishing in Yellowstone.
Click here to book your stay at Roosevelt Lodge Cabins.
Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite NP has a great variety of lodges spread between Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, and the Wawona historic district. Make sure to check out the gorgeous dining room in the Ahwahnee.
Ahwahnee Hotel - A National Historic Landmark and one of the crown jewels of the entire national park system, a magnificent 1927 native stone and timber hotel sitting in the heart of Yosemite Valley with Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Glacier Point all visible from the hotel grounds! The lodge highlights its natural surroundings, including views of Half Dome, Glacier Point, and Yosemite Falls.
Click here to book your stay at the Ahwahnee Hotel.
Yosemite Valley Lodge - This 245 room lodge is the closest lodging to Yosemite Falls inside Yosemite National Park, a family-friendly lodge spread across 15 two-story buildings in the heart of Yosemite Valley with the Merced River flowing right behind the property.
Click here to book your stay at the Yosemite Valley Lodge.
Curry Village Cabins - A step up from the tent cabins and a step into the wilderness, the Curry Village wood cabins put you in the heart of Yosemite Valley beneath jaw-dropping views of Half Dome and Glacier Point in your own private wooden structure.
Click here to book your stay at Curry Village Cabins.
Curry Village Tents - The most affordable and most iconic way to sleep inside Yosemite Valley, a beloved canvas tent cabin tradition dating back to 1899, sitting directly beneath the soaring granite faces of Half Dome and Glacier Point.
Click here to book your stay at Curry Village Tents.
Housekeeping Camp - If you are looking to stay in the heart of Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park and not bring your own tent you will love Housekeeping Camp.
Tuolumne Meadows Lodge - Located off Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park the Tuolumne Meadows Lodge includes 69 canvas-tent cabins without electricity. They are the highest elevation lodging in Yosemite National Park at 8,700 feet perched along the banks of the Tuolumne River, 60 miles from Yosemite Valley and a world away from the crowds!
Park Alert: Wawona Hotel closure
- The Wawona Hotel is currently closed indefinately and foressable future due to the need to conduct a comprehensive condition assessment on the hotel complex.
- The National Park Service recently undertook a roof replacement project on the main hotel building which revealed the need for more intensive investigation and assessment of the hotel.
- Additional Lodging Options are listed below
Wawona Hotel - Built-in 1856 the Wawona Hotel formerly Big Trees Lodge is a National Historic Landmark located near the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and the Pioneer History Center in Yosemite National Park.
Park Alert: White Wolf Lodge Closure
- White Wolf Lodge is currently closed indefinitely by mandate of the National Park Service due to severely damaged sewer lines.
White Wolf Lodge - offers 24 canvas tent cabins and is one of Yosemite's best kept secret and most secluded lodging, a charming 1927 subalpine meadow retreat tucked 1 mile off Tioga Road at 8,000 feet, just 30 miles from Yosemite Valley with virtually none of the crowds!
Zion National Park, Utah
Zion NP has two lodging options between the lodge and cabins. They offer the opportunity to wake up in Zion Canyon and start your day in the park.
Zion Lodge - It's the perfect location to explore all that Zion has to offer and there is nothing quite like waking up and looking out at sunrise as the sun's rays light up the 8,000-foot canyon walls and bring them to life!
Click here to book your stay at the Zion Lodge.
Zion National Park Cabins - Located next to the Zion Lodge, they are the only lodging inside Zion National Park, nestled among towering cottonwoods at the heart of Zion Canyon with Angels Landing, the Emerald Pools, and the Narrows all just steps from your door.
Click here to book your stay at the Zion National Park Cabins.
We hope you enjoy this list of National Parks with Lodging!
Have you stayed in one of these lodges? What was your experience like? We would love to know more about which lodges you have stayed in and what you thought.
State Park Lodges
Several States now have lodges to stay in. Here are a few of the best state park lodges that I have stayed at that I am sure that you would enjoy.
Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores Alabama
Gulf State Park is located in Gulf Shores Alabama and along the Gulf of Mexico. Here you can enjoy miles of trails, biking, beaches, and even the cottages on Lake Shelby!
The Lodge at Gulf State Park - The lodge boasts 350 rooms and is Alabama's only LEED Gold-certified beachfront hotel, sitting directly inside Gulf State Park on 2.5 miles of sugar-white Gulf Shores beach with a pedestrian bridge connecting the property straight into the park's 6,150 acres of trails, dunes, and coastal lakes.
Click here to book your stay at The Lodge at Gulf State Park.
Eagle Cottages, Gulf State Park Alabama - I was a park ranger for 20 years and I can honestly say I have never seen or experienced cottages in a state park like Eagle Cottages at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores Alabama! I would have never guessed that you could rent such a beautiful and well-maintained three-bedroom cottage with epic lake views in what I consider one of the best State Parks in the U.S.
Click here to book your stay at the Eagle Cottages.
Gulf State Park Cabins - Brand new in 2024, these stunning modern stilt cabins perched on the shores of Lake Shelby inside Gulf State Park are the most unique and nature-immersive lodging option on the entire Alabama Gulf Coast. Make sure to plan ahead, Both the Cabins and Eagle Cottages fill up fast!
Click here to book your stay at Gulf State Park Cabins.
Wakulla Springs State Park, Florida
Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park sits just 14 miles south of Tallahassee and protects one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world, pumping millions of gallons of crystal clear 68-degree water daily from the depths of the Florida aquifer. The park is a wildlife paradise where manatees, alligators, river otters, anhingas, and over 180 species of birds call the spring-fed Wakulla River home, and the legendary wildlife river tours have been drawing visitors since the 1930s.
As a former park ranger, I can tell you this is one of the most genuinely wild and unspoiled natural areas remaining in Florida, and the kind of place that reminds you why we protect these special places in the first place.
The Lodge at Wakulla Springs - A magnificent 1937 Spanish Colonial Revival lodge sitting inside Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, one of the world's largest and deepest freshwater springs and home to manatees, alligators, river otters, and one of the most spectacular wildlife boat tours in all of Florida.
Click here to book your stay at The Lodge at Wakulla Springs.
Custer State Park, South Dakota
Custer State Park makes a great hub for a South Dakota National Park Road Trip. This park is surrounded by Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. They are also just a couple hours away from Badlands National Park and Minuteman Missile National Monument. If that's not enough, Custer State Park has numerous things to do like scenic drives, wildlife viewing, hiking, and more! Custer State Park is consistently being ranked as one of the top 10 State Parks in the United States.
State Game Lodge, Custer State Park - The State Game Lodge in Custer State Park was the summer White House in 1927 for President Calvin Coolidge. The State Game Lodge has seven rooms in the historic lodge and also has an adjacent motel and cottages. The State Game Lodge is registered on the National Register of Historic Places.
Click here to book your stay at the State Game Lodge.
Creekside Lodge, Custer State Park - Creekside Lodge at Custer State Park is located near the State Game Lodge. This newer hotel offers 30 lodge rooms. The Creekside Lodge was built in 2008 and offers many modern conveniences. Creekside Lodge is open year round so you can explore Custer State Park at any time.
Sylvan Lake Cabins, Custer State Park - Sylvan Lake Lodge in Custer State Park has 67 rooms some of which overlook Sylvan Lake and offers great cabins. Sylvan Lake Lodge was built in 1937 with a new wing of rooms added in 1991. There are 31 cabins in the hillside surrounding the historic lodge.
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