Where Can You Stay Inside a National Park?

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her adventures around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

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Waking up inside a national park doesn’t have to mean roughing it at a campsite. There are a number of comfortable hotels located within the borders of America’s parks, so you can get out of bed and get right back to exploring.

Amenities like spas, heated pools, and stargazing decks—combined with incredible nature —make these the six best hotels inside national parks.

Old Faithful Inn, Yellowstone National Park

Distant view of Old Faithful Inn and erupting Old Faithful Geyser — Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Instead of crowding around Old Faithful and waiting to watch it erupt, you could watch this majestic geyser from the comfort of your very own hotel room—drink in hand. Just book a geyser basin view room at the Old Faithful Inn, all of which offer views of one of nature’s best shows.

Be sure to book in advance, as the inn is the most popular place to stay in Yellowstone. In addition to Old Faithful, you can check another brag-worthy site off of your bucket list—built in 1903 from local materials, the Old Faithful Inn is the largest log structure in the world.

Phantom Ranch, Grand Canyon National Park

Small cabin surrounded by trees at the base of the Grand Canyon — Grand Canyon National Park Lodges

Phantom Ranch is one of the world’s most exclusive hotels—a room here is so sought-after, that reservations are released on a lottery basis. To book a private cabin (or bed in a shared dorm) you’ll need to enter a monthly drawing held 15 months before the date you want to stay.

The prize? A night in the best location in the national parks—the base of the Grand Canyon. To get to Phantom Ranch, you’ll have to hike or take a mule ride 7.5 miles down from the rim,

The Inn at Death Valley, Death Valley National Park

Aerial view of the Inn at Death Valley — The Oasis at Death Valley

Death Valley is the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the country. Conditions are extreme, and travelers are advised to bring in at least a gallon of water per person per day, as water is scarce inside this desert environment.

After spending the day exploring the hot and desolate desert, stumbling upon the Inn at Death Valley’s lush palm trees and natural springs will feel like a mirage to travelers. The four-diamond property is a luxurious oasis inside the park, featuring a spring-fed pool (kept at 87-degrees year-round), a rooftop stargazing deck, and newly renovated rooms.

Jackson Lake Lodge, Grand Teton National Park

The views are the main attraction at Jackson Lake Lodge, and the hotel’s architecture is designed to show them off. 60-foot floor-to-ceiling windows in the lodge’s lobby frame gorgeous views of Jackson Lake and the Teton Range.

Splurge on a Mountain View Lodge Room and wake up to stunning sunrises over the mountains. Want to make the most of your trip to Grand Teton National Park? The hotel offers a variety of activities for guests to book, including river rafting and horseback riding.

Many Glacier Hotel, Glacier National Park

Many Glacier Hotel with mountains in the background — Glacier National Park Lodges

Feel the history of the national parks at Many Glacier Hotel, which has been inside Glacier National Park since 1914. The property was partially renovated in 2016 to add modern amenities without losing the historic charm.

Many Glacier’s main appeal is its location, set on the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake. Inside the hotel, a lounge, snack shop, restaurant, and gift shop provide guests everything they might need while at the park.

El Tovar Hotel, Grand Canyon National Park

If you’d rather stay at the top of the Grand Canyon than the bottom (or you didn’t win the Phantom Ranch Lottery), El Tovar Hotel is the place to book. Perched directly on the rim of the Grand Canyon, El Tovar offers unbeatable canyon views.

The historic hotel has held court over the Grand Canyon since it opened in 1905. Since then, the luxury hotel has hosted presidents and celebrities including Theodore Roosevelt, Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, and even Albert Einstein.

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