When most people think of staying overnight in a national park, tents and campfires often come to mind. But many parks are home to grand lodges and historic hotels that combine rustic charm with cozy comfort. Imagine sipping coffee while gazing out at snow-capped peaks, relaxing by a roaring fireplace, or waking up to a view of a volcano.
From iconic properties on the West Coast and Hawaii to hidden gems in the Midwest and East, here are some of the most beautiful national park lodges worth adding to your bucket list.
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West Coast Wonders & Hawaii
Volcano House Hotel – Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
Perched right on the rim of the Kilauea Caldera, this historic lodge gives guests the rare chance to wake up above an active volcano. The 33 guest rooms, 10 cabins, and 16 campsites offer options for every traveler. Inside, you’ll find touches of history like a lava-rock fireplace, paired with modern amenities such as Wi-Fi and sound machines. But the real star is outside, explore Mauna Loa, the world’s largest volcano, and take in Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ dramatic landscapes. Open year-round.
Paradise Inn – Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Located at the base of Mount Rainier, Paradise Inn feels like stepping into a classic mountain lodge. With 121 guest rooms free of TVs, phones, or internet, it’s a true digital detox. They are open year-round. Another option is the National Park Inn, a cozy year-round lodge with 25 guest rooms, a restaurant, and a general store.
Kalaloch Lodge- Olympic National Park, Washington
Come to this serene oceanfront setting to explore rainforests, glaciers, and protected coastline. This lodge offers the Main Lodge, Cabins, and Seacrest House. All rooms are TV and Wi-Fi free and have various amenities. There is a restaurant and gift shop in the lodge. This is the only accommodations open all year in-park.
Other places in-park: Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort (RV & Camping), Log Cabin Resort (Camping, chalets, cabins, and lodge rooms) and Lake Crescent Lodge (Cottages, cabins, and lodge rooms). Varying seasonal dates. All have dining options.
Crater Lake Lodge- Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Crater Lake Lodge, perched on the rim of its namesake lake, offers a breathtaking view of one of the deepest lakes in the world. The lodge’s historic architecture includes exposed beam ceilings and rustic stone fireplaces. There are 71 rooms here, many with lake views. You won’t find TVs in the rooms and amenities are basic. Open Mid-May to Mid- October.
Other Park Accommodations: The Cabins at Mazama Village are located high in the Ponderosa pines, seven miles south of Rim Village. You’ll find recently renovate rooms, no TV’s or air conditioning. Open Mid-May to Mid- September. Mazama Campground located next to Mazama Village is open Mid-June to Mid-September.
The Ahwahnee – Yosemite National Park, California
Known as the crown jewel of Yosemite, The Ahwahnee is a National Historic Landmark famous for its architecture and breathtaking views of Half Dome and Yosemite Falls. With 97 rooms and 24 cottages, it blends luxury with natural beauty and includes fine dining, comfy rooms with an abundance of amenities, including internet access and a heated outdoor pool. Open year-round.
Other Yosemite stays include Yosemite Valley Lodge, with quick access to Yosemite Falls, and Wawona Hotel, a Victorian-era lodge near the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.
Wuksachi Lodge – Sequoia National Park, California
This modern lodge in the Giant Forest area has 102 guest rooms, a full-service restaurant, and a cocktail lounge. You’ll find amenities including microwave and mini fridge in the rooms. Wi-Fi is limited. It’s the park’s signature hotel and is open seasonally (May–October). Nearby in Kings Canyon, you’ll also find lodges and cabins like John Muir Lodge and Cedar Grove Lodge.
Northern Beauties
Many Glacier Hotel – Glacier National Park, Montana
Many Glacier Hotel is in the “Switzerland of North America,′′ in the northeastern area of Glacier National Park. Its Swiss-style architecture stands on the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake and offers a five-story hotel containing 2 suites, 7 family rooms and 205 guest rooms offering lakeside, deluxe, standard and value rustic rooms. Keeping with the era in which the hotel was built, amenities are basic with no TV or air conditioning in the rooms. Wi-Fi is very limited. You’ll find two dining options and a gift shop here. They open the beginning of June and close in late September.
Other in-park lodging options at Glacier include Apgar Village Lodge, Lake McDonald Lodge, Belton Chalet, motels, and two backcountry chalets.
Old Faithful Inn – Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Imagine waking up to the legendary eruptions of Old Faithful, just steps away from the Old Faithful Inn. Located in Yellowstone National Park, this rustic lodge is a piece of history, being one of the largest log structures in the world. The nearly 330 guest rooms range from cozy quarters with shared bathrooms to spacious suites. Whatever room category you book, it won’t include A/C, wi-fi or TV. There are two dining options at the Inn plus three other options in Old Faithful Village.
*Pro Tip: Old Faithfull in is only open May – October and reservations fill fast, so book as soon as possible to assure you get a room.
There are eight more lodges (both hotel and cabin-style) in the park. All are open from late spring through fall.
Jenny Lake Lodge – Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Once a 1920s dude ranch, this AAA Four Diamond eco-resort now offers 37 luxury cabins with private porch and Wi-Fi (but no TVs). Another unique option is Triangle X Ranch, the last remaining dude ranch inside the park, offering horseback riding vacations and rustic cabins.
Other accommodations in park: you will find five other places in-park from bunk style open rooms to a full-service resort hotel. All the accommodations in- park are open spring through fall. Check exact dates before you go.
Southwest Gems
Far View Lodge – Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Located 15 miles inside the park, this adobe-style lodge offers sweeping views of Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. Rooms have modern touches like Wi-Fi and mini fridges, but no TVs. Open seasonally, with a restaurant and gift shop on-site.
El Tovar Hotel – Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Opened in 1905, this historic lodge sits right on the South Rim, offering unmatched views of the canyon. Rooms feature TVs, A/C, and Wi-Fi, but space is limited, book early! Be aware that there is not an elevator or separate parking for hotel.
Other South Rim options include lodges like Bright Angel and Kachina, or the adventurous Phantom Ranch at the canyon floor, accessible only by foot or mule.
Zion Lodge – Zion National Park, Utah
The only in-park lodging at Zion, this lodge has 76 hotel rooms, 40 cabins, and 6 suites. Some offer TVs and Wi-Fi, while others remain rustic. Dining and shopping are available on-site, and the lodge is open year-round.
Bryce Canyon Lodge – Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
This 1920s National Historic Landmark is the only in-park lodge at Bryce Canyon National Park. With 114 rooms, cabins, and suites, it’s a cozy retreat just steps from the iconic Bryce Amphitheater. You won’t find TVs, A/C or WiFi here, but you will find a wonderful restaurant open 24/7. Open seasonally.
Midwest Jewel
Cedar Pass Lodge – Badlands National Park, South Dakota
The Cedar Pass Lodge provides the only in-park lodging. These cabins have regionally handcrafted lodgepole pine furniture and many amenities including air condition/heat, TVs and more. There is a restaurant and gift shop here. Open mid-April until mid-October. Badlands National Park is 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. This is the only Midwest National Park with lodging in-park.
East Coast Classics
Skyland Resort – Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Skyland Resort, perched on the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park, offers sweeping views. Discover a range of lodging options from updated premium rooms to charming, detached cabins, all with great amenities, most with air conditioning and TVs. Wi-Fi is available. The Pollock Dining Room, Mountain Taproom, Starbucks Grab ‘N Go, and Skyland Gift Shop are all located in the dining room building. Its season runs from the beginning of May to Mid or late November.
Other options: Shenandoah National Park offers Big Meadows Lodge and Lewis Mountain Cabins both open seasonally.
LeConte Lodge – Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
The only non-camping option in America’s most visited park, LeConte Lodge is an adventure in itself. Perched atop Mount LeConte, it’s accessible only by a 5-to-9-mile hike to access the lodge atop Mount LeConte. Rustic cabins, communal dining, and no electricity make this a truly unique backcountry experience.
Final Thoughts
From historic lodges perched on canyon rims to lakeside retreats and rustic cabins deep in the forest, these national park lodges offer more than just a place to sleep, they provide a front-row seat to some of America’s most incredible landscapes. Don’t forget to get your America the Beautiful Park pass if you’re planning on visiting more than one park. Learn more here about how this can save you money. You may also want to check out roadtrippers.com to plan a trip to more than one park on your vacation. Use code BTR5QTP to save $5.
Because these lodges are popular and often book up months (or even a year) in advance, be sure to plan ahead. And if you can’t secure an in-park reservation, don’t worry, there are plenty of nearby hotels, cabins, and campgrounds that make it easy to enjoy the magic of the national parks. We want to pass on tips and information that we learn along the way to help you when you plan your next trip. We hope to inspire you to find your adventures, have fun and make lots of memories, so grab your hiking boots, sunscreen and camera to visit these beautiful parks.