the best places to stay at your favorite national parks!

where to rest out west.

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Glacier National Park, Montana

Many Glacier Hotel

Located in an area called ‘the Switzerland of North America’ you simply can’t beat the mountain and lake views surrounding this hotel.  Built by the Great Northern Railway between 1914-1915, this is the largest hotel in Glacier National Park with plenty of history and charming old-world touches to delight.

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Lake McDonald Lodge


Built in 1913, this lodge boasts a dreamy Swiss chalet feel with your choice of a suite or cabin rental.  In addition to a convenient location 10 miles within the park, the lodge also offers plenty of on-site activities like horseback riding, boat tours on Lake McDonald, and rustic but comfortable accommodations.

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Village Inn at Apgar


Also located on the shores of Lake McDonald, rooms at the Village Inn treat guests to stunning views of the lake and mountains in the near distance.  Visitors should prepare to unplug before visiting Glacier National Park, as cell phone reception is unavailable inside the park, and wifi is unreliable – even within hotels.

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Joshua Tree National Park, California

Mojave Sands at Joshua Tree

This unique 5-room motel is a quirky mix of retro and desert-chic.  Originally built in 1952, Mojave Sands retains its original feel although it was fully renovated in 2002.  Each room includes a typewriter stocked with paper, a record player, and a Bose sound dock – because we like our retro with a sprinkle of modern.

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Spin and Margie’s Desert Hideaway


Spin and Margie’s offers boutique lodging for ‘the experienced traveler’ that’s part Mexican hacienda and part artist’s palette.  Desert lovers will fall hard for the picturesque scenery, and all within five minutes of the west entrance to Joshua Tree National Park.

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The Desert Lily B+B


This cozy ranch-style hideaway has only three guest rooms, and LOTS of privacy.  Fill up on the gourmet breakfast (served on the patio) before heading into Joshua Tree – only five minutes away from the park’s west entrance.  Previous guests rave about the night sky views and complimentary treats, like wine and warm cookies.

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Yosemite National Park, California

Ahwahnee Hotel (Majestic Yosemite Hotel)

Built in 1927 as a luxury hotel for wealthy park visitors, this grand 1920’s relic is steeped in rich history and stunning architecture.  Take in the 34-foot ceilings, timber beams, wrought iron chandeliers, Native American tapestries, and walk the same halls that have hosted dozens of famous guests, including Queen Elizabeth II and John F Kennedy.  While it may always be known as the Ahwahnee, a recent trademark dispute forced an official name change in early 2016, so search for the new name of Majestic Yosemite Hotel when booking.

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Rush Creek Lodge


While many state park lodges are nearing their 100th birthday, the Rush Creek Lodge is the first resort to open in Yosemite in over 25 years.  The official opening date is June 15, 2016, so you can be certain that everything is crisp and new.  Guests can choose from lodge rooms, suites, and hillside villas – most with sunset views.  The Big Oak Flat Entrance is less than a mile from the lodge, and if you’re seeking more than a park experience, Rush Creek offers a wide variety of activities like whitewater rafting, fly fishing trips, wine tasting, and more.

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Curry Village (Half Dome Village)


Now officially named Half Dome Village, the famous Curry Village was founded by David A Curry and Jenny Etta Foster in 1899.  Accommodations haven’t changed greatly since then, and still offer everything you need, and nothing you don’t.  But this isn’t your average campsite – consider this a form of glamping, with sturdy canvas tents that feature wooden doors, beds with linens, and electric lights.  Curry Village is located within the Yosemite Valley inside the park, within close proximity to Half Dome and Glacier Point.  And if history is your draw, it’s also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Volcano National Park, Hawaii

Volcano Rainforest Retreat

This tropical B+B offers a self described ‘casually elegant Big Island lodging getaway’.  Located only a few miles from the park, visitors are mere steps away from lush rainforest, lava tubes, ancient petroglyphs, and active lava flows.  For a truly jaw-dropping experience, take in the nighttime glow of the Kilauea Volcano – still active with views that are truly awe-inspiring.

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Volcano House


Choose between a room in the hotel and 10 newly refurbished cabins, all within view of the Kilauea Volcano.  Another spot on the National Register of Historic Places, the original Volcano House structure was built in 1877, and archaeological evidence shows human activity in the area for hundreds of years, including the collecting of volcanic glass for producing primitive cutting tools.  Located within the park and at the edge of an active volcano, you simple can’t get any closer to the action that this.

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Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Old Faithful Inn

True to its name, this multi-story log cabin-style lodge is located within view of the infamous Old Faithful Geyser.  Built between 1903-1904, the building is considered the largest log structure in the world and the inspiration for ‘park-itecture’.  Old Faithful Inn is the most popular hotel in the park, and with 327 rooms to choose from, there is something for everyone.  Rates run between $115 and $572 per night depending on the room type, so book early to guarantee your top choice.  Old Faithful Inn operates in the summer season only.

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Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Cabins


For wintertime accommodations, look to the Old Faithful Snow Lodge for the ultimate winter wonderland experience.  Due to weather conditions, the lodge is only available via commercially operated oversnow vehicles (snowcoaches), and snowshoes are recommended.  The area has plenty of natural wonders to offer, like the frozen Lower Falls and the Upper Geyser Basin which offers a unique view of snow mixing with the hot springs.

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Acadia National Park, Maine

Bass Cottage Inn

As the oldest National Park east of the Mississippi River, Acadia has plenty of historic lodging options available nearby.  Bass Cottage Inn was built in 1885, is Bar Harbor’s oldest continually operating inn, and is a short 5 minute drive from the park.  While not billed as a B+B, a delicious gourmet breakfast is included in the room rate, and features food from local farms and dairies.

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The Harborside Hotel


The accommodations at The Harborside are nothing short of luxurious, so if your idea of a national park vacation is tents and sleeping bags, these dreamy digs are not for you.  Located in downtown Bar Harbor on the marina, the hotel promises exceptional amenities within a short drive to Acadia and within walking distance to shops and restaurants.  If you like a park experience with class, look no further than The Harborside Hotel.

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Acadia Yurts


These modern Acadia-style yurts offer a glamping experience on Mount Desert Island, on which Acadia National Park resides.  Don’t let the exterior fool you – these yurts feature heating and A/C, wifi, 4G cell phone reception, queen beds and fold out sofas that sleep up to 4, and a kitchen complete with a stovetop and oven.  For additional items, check out the free community-shared amenities like a coffee bean grinder, lobster pot with cracking kit, and a DVD library.  This is DEFINITELY not your average camping experience.

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Dry Tortugas National Park

Garden Key

Dry Tortugas is a bit different from your average national park.  Located on the westernmost extent of the Florida Keys, the park is more than 99 percent water and only accessible by seaplane or ferry.  There is no actual lodging in the park, so your only option for sleeping onsite is primitive camping.  Garden Key offers 10 campsites that include picnic tables and grills, but nothing more – campers must bring in all food, water, and fuel.  Interested?  Sites are available on a first-come-first-serve basis, so plan ahead and arrive early.
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The Southernmost House


The nearest hotel-style accommodations to Dry Tortugas National Park are located in Key West, and The Southernmost House offers top notch boutique-style lodging within easy access of other historical sites and hotspots.  As one of the only Key West hotels situated on the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll appreciate your lush seaside surroundings after a rustic visit to the park.  Enjoy a blend of old-world charm mixed with plenty of modern amenities in this converted 1896 Duval Street residence.

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