The 11 Best National Park Lodges in North America

by Christina Garofalo

The 11 Best National Park Lodges in North America

by Christina Garofalo

America’s first national park lodges drew well-off Easterners westward, promising easy living amid stunning scenery. While the clientele has changed, the appeal to these properties remains: Unrivaled access to North America’s top wonders. Note: Rooms fill up quickly and prices are subject to change.

America’s first national park lodges drew well-off Easterners westward, promising easy living amid stunning scenery. While the clientele has changed, the appeal to these properties remains: unrivaled access to North America’s top wonders. Note: Rooms fill up quickly and prices are subject to change.

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Many Glacier Hotel / Xanterra Travel Collection
Oasis at Death Valley
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Oasis at Death Valley, California

Following a $50-million makeover, the historic Inn at Furnace Creek has reopened as the Oasis at Death Valley. Shaded by date palms, the resort is made up of a 66-room inn (perfect for couples), 22 Casitas (each Casita is over 500 square feet and features a living room area, sleeper sofa, and wet bar), and a family-friendly ranch, complete with 224 rooms. The lush property also features a spring-fed pool, a dreamy wellness center, and an 18-hole golf course. Rates from $189 per night, depending on the season. 

Following a $50-million makeover, the historic Inn at Furnace Creek has reopened as the Oasis at Death Valley. Shaded by date palms, the resort is made up of a 66-room inn (perfect for couples), 22 Casitas (each Casita is over 500 square feet and features a living room area, sleeper sofa, and wet bar), and a family-friendly ranch, complete with 224 rooms. The lush property also features a spring-fed pool, a dreamy wellness center, and an 18-hole golf course. Rates from $189 per night, depending on the season. 

Volcano House
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Volcano House, Hawaii

After months of eruptions, Volcanoes National Park reopened this fall, along with the park's only lodge. Overlooking one of the most active volcanoes on the planet, Volcano House offers views of the caldera from many of its 33 rooms and the dining room. Guests have access to more than 150 miles of pristine park trails, as well as complimentary use of iPads and GoPros to ensure Instagram-worthy snapshots of the picture-perfect surroundings. Rates from $159 per night. 

After months of eruptions, Volcanoes National Park reopened this fall, along with the park's only lodge. Overlooking one of the most active volcanoes on the planet, Volcano House offers views of the caldera from many of its 33 rooms and the dining room. Guests have access to more than 150 miles of pristine park trails, as well as complimentary use of iPads and GoPros to ensure Instagram-worthy snapshots of the picture-perfect surroundings. Rates from $159 per night. 

Fairmont Banff Hotel
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Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Canada

Built in 1887, this upscale property more closely resembles a Scottish Baronial castle than a national park lodge. The luxe rooms offer unadulterated views of Banff National Park’s Bow River and Tunnel Mountain. Guests can enjoy golf, tennis, as well as mountain biking, and also have the opportunity to experience the unique amenities of the hotel's sprawling spa, which incorporates native plants and minerals (for an additional fee of $69 per day). Rates from $300 per night, depending on the season. 

Built in 1887, this upscale property more closely resembles a Scottish Baronial castle than a national park lodge. The luxe rooms offer unadulterated views of Banff National Park’s Bow River and Tunnel Mountain. Guests can enjoy golf, tennis, as well as mountain biking, and also have the opportunity to experience the unique amenities of the hotel's sprawling spa, which incorporates native plants and minerals (for an additional fee of $69 per day). Rates from $300 per night, depending on the season. 

Jenny Lake Lodge
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Jenny Lake Lodge, Wyoming

Jenny Lake Lodge in Grand Teton National Park combines rustic charm with upscale amenities. Guests stay in historic cabins complete with scenic views of the Tetons towering above. A stay includes daily breakfasts, nightly five-course rotating dinner menus, an array of complimentary activities, horseback riding, cruiser bicycles, and much more. However, since there are only 31 cabins, be sure to reserve your room ahead of time  many of them are already sold out for the upcoming season. The lodge opens for the 2019 season on June 1 and closes on October 6. Rates from $542 per night, depending on the month.

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Jenny Lake Lodge in Grand Teton National Park combines rustic charm with upscale amenities. Guests stay in historic cabins complete with scenic views of the Tetons towering above. A stay includes daily breakfasts, nightly five-course rotating dinner menus, an array of complimentary activities, horseback riding, cruiser bicycles, and much more. However, since there are only 31 cabins, be sure to reserve your room ahead of time  many of them are already sold out for the upcoming season. The lodge opens for the 2019 season on June 1 and closes on October 6. Rates from $542 per night, depending on the month.

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Cavallo Point Lodge
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Cavallo Point, CA

Golden Gate Park is an urban oasis that spans over 1,000 acres across the Bay Area. In 2001, the park acquired Fort Baker  a historic army outpost overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge — and transformed it into Cavallo Point Lodge. The property features stunning accommodations with large windows that overlook the water, a swanky wellness center and spa, a cooking school, and even a one-of-a-kind tea bar. Rates from $400 per night, depending on the season. 

Golden Gate Park is an urban oasis that spans over a 1,000 acres across the Bay Area. In 2001, the park acquired Fort Baker  a historic army outpost overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge — and transformed it into Cavallo Point Lodge. The property features stunning accommodations with large windows that overlook the water, a swanky wellness center and spa, a cooking school, and even a one-of-a-kind tea bar. Rates from $400 per night, depending on the season. 

El Tovar
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El Tovar, AZ

Since it opened in 1905, El Tovar has hosted eight U.S. presidents (from Teddy Roosevelt to Bill Clinton) on their tours of the Grand Canyon. The 78-room property’s main draw is its location — it's perfectly perched on the canyon’s south rim. Plummeting views can be enjoyed over cocktails on the porch, in the dining room, or, on the private decks of one of the 12 suites, which can sell out more than a year in advance. Rates from $217 per night, depending on the room type. 

Since it opened in 1905, El Tovar has hosted eight U.S. presidents (from Teddy Roosevelt to Bill Clinton) on their tours of the Grand Canyon. The 78-room property’s main draw is its location — it's perfectly perched on the canyon’s south rim. Plummeting views can be enjoyed over cocktails on the porch, in the dining room, or, on the private decks of one of the 12 suites, which can sell out more than a year in advance. Rates from $217 per night, depending on room type. 

Old Faithful Inn
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Old Faithful Inn, Wyoming

Opened in 1904 to provide luxury accommodations within Yellowstone, America’s first national park, Old Faithful Inn is one of few remaining log hotels in the U.S. and is also the largest log structure in the world. Its towering lobby features an 85-foot stone fireplace and hosts live music as guests enjoy unfettered views of one of the world’s most famous geysers. Old Faithful Inn opens for the 2019 season on May 3 and closes on October 7. Rates from $166 per night, depending on the month. 

Opened in 1904 to provide luxury accommodations within Yellowstone, America’s first national park, Old Faithful Inn is one of few remaining log hotels in the U.S. and is also the largest log structure in the world. Its towering lobby features an 85-foot stone fireplace and hosts live music as guests enjoy unfettered views of one of the world’s most famous geysers. Old Faithful Inn opens for the 2019 season on May 3 and closes on October 7. Rates from $166 per night, depending on the month. 

Majestic Yosemite Hotel
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Majestic Yosemite Hotel, California

Majestic Yosemite Hotel (formerly the Ahwahnee Hotel) is among one of the most iconic park lodges in the country, and its most famous guests include Queen Elizabeth II, Clark Gable, and John F. Kennedy. The lobby boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, as well as fireplaces big enough to stand in. Plus, almost every room offers a prime view of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, or Glacier Point. Rates from $478 per night, depending on the season. 

Majestic Yosemite Hotel (formerly the Ahwahnee Hotel) is among one of the most iconic park lodges in the country, and its most famous guests include Queen Elizabeth II, Clark Gable, and John F. Kennedy. The lobby boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, as well as fireplaces big enough to stand in. Plus, almost every room offers a prime view of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, or Glacier Point. Rates from $478 per night, depending on the season. 

Crater Lake Lodge
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Crater Lake Lodge, Oregon

Crater Lake National Park is home to one of the deepest lakes in North America. The park’s only lakeside hotel offers prime views into the caldera (famous for its cerulean water) and also features remarkable stargazing after dark. Activities include hiking, biking, boating, and fishing. Early reservations are essential — especially if you're looking to book a room that boasts scenic water views.  The hotel opens for the 2019 season on May 17, and closes on October 14, but the property is already almost sold out for most of June, July, August, and September. Rates from $197 per night. 

    Crater Lake National Park is home to one of the deepest lakes in North America. The park’s only lakeside hotel offers prime views into the caldera (famous for its cerulean water) and also features remarkable stargazing after dark. Activities include hiking, biking, boating, and fishing. Early reservations are essential — especially if you're looking to book a room that boasts scenic water views.  The hotel opens for the 2019 season on May 17, and closes on October 14, but the property is already almost sold out for most of June, July, August, and September. Rates from $197 per night. 

    Jasper Lake Lodge
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    Jasper Park Lodge, Canada

    This Fairmont-owned luxury mountain resort is home to one of the best golf courses in North America. The property spans 700 acres along the shores of Lac Beauvert, where elk, caribou, and moose roam freely. In 2014, the property began an extensive multi-year, multiphase renovation and now features new and updated cedar chalets and log cabins. Rates from $178 per night, depending on the season. 

    This Fairmont-owned luxury mountain resort is home to one of the best golf courses in North America. The property spans 700 acres along the shores of Lac Beauvert, where elk, caribou, and moose roam freely. In 2014, the property began an extensive multi-year, multiphase renovation and now features new and updated cedar chalets and log cabins. Rates from $178 per night, depending on the season. 

    Many Glacier Hotel
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    Many Glacier Hotel, Montana

    The charming Many Glacier Hotel sits right next to Glacier National Park's pristine Swiftcurrent Lake, which makes for all-around amazing views. The hotel features two suites, seven family rooms, and 205 additional rooms. Each of the many rooms provides a rustic feel, combined with coziness and comfort. Plus, there's no better time than now to visit Glacier National Park. Despite the hotel's name, of the 120 glaciers that existed at the park more than a century ago, only 25 remain. The hotel opens for the 2019 season on June 7 and closes on September 30. Rates from $211 per night, depending on the month. 

    The charming Many Glacier Hotel sits right next to Glacier National Park's pristine Swiftcurrent Lake, which makes for all-around amazing views. The hotel features two suites, seven family rooms, and 205 additional rooms. Each of the many rooms provides a rustic feel, combined with coziness and comfort. Plus, there's no better time than now to visit Glacier National Park. Despite the hotel's name, of the 120 glaciers that existed at the park more than a century ago, only 25 remain. The hotel opens for the 2019 season on June 7 and closes on September 30. Rates from $211 per night, depending on the month. 

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