National parks are among my favorite vacation destinations, and I aim to visit all 63 sites across the U.S.
No matter which park I visit, it will be full of pure natural beauty, history, and hidden gems. Often, a single day isn’t enough time to explore a park’s boundaries. A better strategy is to make it a multi-day trip and, ideally, stay overnight within the park itself.
Several years ago, during a visit to Yellowstone National Park, I chose to stay at the historic Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel rather than at a nearby campground. Built in 1883 as the park’s first high-class lodging option, it quickly won me over with its unique style, history, and location. It was more than just a place to rest my head, and I soon realized it’s just one in a collection of national park lodges offering a similar experience.
Each one is atmospheric, steeped in nature, and boasts striking architecture. The following are seven of the most visually stunning national park hotels in the U.S., including a few of my personal favorites.
In this article
- Paradise Inn: Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
- Crater Lake Lodge: Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
- The Ahwahnee Hotel: Yosemite National Park, California
- El Tovar: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
- Old Faithful Inn: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
- Jackson Lake Lodge: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
- Many Glacier Hotel: Glacier National Park, Montana
- The Shortcut
Paradise Inn: Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Located in the Paradise area of Mount Rainier National Park and surrounded by alpine meadows and rugged mountains, the Paradise Inn officially opened its doors in 1917. Designed by architect Frederick Heath from Tacoma, Washington, it was envisioned as a rustic retreat immersed in the park’s landscape.
Much of the original historic property was built using salvaged trees from the nearby Silver Forest Fire in the late 1800s. When first constructed, there were only 37 rooms and a large dining hall. However, 104 rooms were added in the 1920s.
Throughout the years, the Paradise Inn has undergone several renovations, including extensive structural and seismic improvements, to preserve the building while maintaining the original rustic charm.
While the exterior beautifully blends into the surrounding landscape, the interior is equally rustic, particularly the lobby, with furnishings handcrafted by German artist Hans Fraehnke, including 1,500-pound tables, throne-style chairs, and a 14-foot grandfather clock.
Reservations for the Paradise Inn's 121 guest rooms typically open one year in advance and fill up quickly. This national park hotel is seasonal, typically open from mid-May through the end of September.
Crater Lake Lodge: Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Crater Lake Lodge immediately catches your eye with its wood and stone exterior, an architectural style often referred to as “National Park Rustic” or “Parkitecture.” Architecture firm R.N. Hockenberry designed this cabin-like building, and construction began in 1909. It took several years for the lodge to be ready to welcome guests; it officially opened its doors in 1915 with 54 guest rooms.
Built on the edge of the caldera, approximately 1,000 feet above Crater Lake, the property allowed for some of the park's most breathtaking views, a perk that has attracted visitors for years. Unfortunately, weather, snow, and a poor foundation eventually caused the lodge’s structure to sag. Steel cables were even installed in rooms to keep the walls from caving in.
In 1967, the National Park Service officially acquired the property with plans to demolish the hotel, but the public did all they could to save it, and they were successful. It closed in the 1980s and underwent a major rehabilitation project, strengthening the foundation while preserving much of its original stone and wood exterior.
Today, there are 71 rooms, and you can book approximately one year in advance. Many accommodations offer incredible scenery outside the window, from direct views of Crater Lake to the surrounding forest and meadows. This national park hotel is seasonal, typically open from mid-May to early October.
The Ahwahnee Hotel: Yosemite National Park, California
Nestled in the Yosemite Valley, I think the Ahwahnee is one of the most gorgeous national park hotels in the U.S.
Officially opening its doors on July 16, 1927, this luxury lodge was built to increase funding for the National Park Service. Well-known architect of the time, Gilbert Stanley Underwood, designed the hotel with a main tower and three wings. The building was constructed primarily of steel, granite, and concrete to protect it from fire, but many areas are stained to resemble wood. The Ahwahnee Hotel features a Native American theme to honor the people who lived here centuries ago.
Today, rooms vary from standard offerings to luxury cottages that feel more like a home. You can make your reservation up to a year in advance, and dates fill up quickly in the spring, fall, and during the holidays.
El Tovar: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
The El Tovar opened on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in 1905. Designed by architect Charles Whittlesey, the Fred Harvey Company and the Santa Fe Railway originally owned and operated it. Whittlesey designed the hotel to resemble a blend of a Swiss chalet and a Norwegian villa, and it was considered the most elegant hotel west of the Mississippi River at the time. It was built from local limestone and Oregon pine and cost about $250,000.
Throughout the years, many prominent individuals stayed at the hotel, including President Theodore Roosevelt and Albert Einstein.
Today, you can reserve one of 78 guest rooms, many of which are suites. Reservations are available up to 13 months in advance, and open on the first of each month for the entire corresponding month of the following year.
Old Faithful Inn: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
While I do have a special place in my heart for Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel in Yellowstone National Park, Old Faithful Inn, next to the iconic Old Faithful Geyser, is truly exquisite.
Designed by a 29-year-old named Robert C. Reamer, this historic hotel is one of the largest log buildings in the world. It was built between 1903 and 1904, using lodgepole pine. The exterior is fitting for the forest and mountain setting of Yellowstone National Park, but it is best known for its stunning lobby with 76-foot-high ceilings.
The massive lobby fireplace is a major focal piece. Approximately 500 tons of rhyolite volcanic rock were used to build it, and it’s the perfect centerpiece in such an iconic and legendary hotel. Also, look out for the handcrafted clock in the lobby, made from copper, wood, and wrought iron.
Like other national park hotels, the Old Faithful Inn is seasonal, open from May through mid-October. The hotel offers a variety of room types, from standard guest rooms to geyser basin view suites. A dining room, deli, and gift shop are also located inside the Old Faithful Inn. And, of course, the location right next to Old Faithful Geyser is just one of the many perks of staying here.
Jackson Lake Lodge: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Jackson Lake Lodge is a bit different than the other national park hotels on our list. Built between 1950 and 1955, this lodge features a modern design rather than a rustic style. Designed by Gilbert Stanley Underwood, the same architect behind iconic buildings like Yosemite National Park’s Ahwahnee Hotel, Jackson Lake Lodge was meant to be more of a middle-class destination than luxury accommodations.
The lodge was built using a wood-grain textured concrete called Shadowood. It was then stained to look like natural timber and underwent a massive rehabilitation project in 2022 to repair and restore its exterior concrete.
I have visited this lodge several times and even hiked Lunch Tree Hill right outside its doors. What I love most about this lodge is the massive 60-foot floor-to-ceiling windows that frame breathtaking views of the Teton Range and Jackson Lake. I’ve even spotted wildlife right outside. It’s one of my favorite places for a picnic when visiting Grand Teton National Park.
This historic hotel features 385 rooms ranging from traditional guest rooms to suites and cottages. The lodge itself also has several restaurants, shops, a swimming pool, and hiking trails. Reservations are available on a 12-month rolling basis, and the lodge is closed during the winter months.
Many Glacier Hotel: Glacier National Park, Montana
Nestled along the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake and at the base of Mount Grinnell in Glacier National Park is Many Glacier Hotel.
Open since July 4, 1915, this Swiss-style alpine lodge is the largest hotel inside Glacier National Park and also one of the most visually striking.
Louis W. Hill, president of the Great Northern Railway, strongly advocated for the creation of Glacier National Park and worked with the government to have the railway serve as the official concessioner. He then began developing several hotels in the park, including the Many Glacier Hotel, one of his greatest projects.
Hill designed this four-story hotel to resemble Swiss chalets, hoping to market the Montana park as the “American Alps.” Wood was used from the surrounding forest, and the hotel was painted in a deep brown with white and gold trim. The Cross of Helvetia, also known as the Swiss Cross and a symbol of Switzerland, is on the door of every room.
Today, the hotel has 214 rooms, including traditional guest rooms, family rooms, and suites. This is a seasonal hotel, typically open from June to September, and reservations can be made up to 13 months in advance.
The Shortcut
Book a year out, not a season out. Most of these lodges open reservations 12 to 13 months ahead, and peak dates go first.
El Tovar runs on its own calendar. A full month of rooms goes on sale on the first of each month, 13 months ahead. Set a reminder.
Plan around the season. Most of these lodges close for winter, and some only operate from June to September.
The location is the upgrade. Staying inside the park puts you next to the geyser, on the caldera rim, or steps from the trailhead, with no drive-in before sunrise.
