Stunning Stays to Enjoy America’s National Parks
Spending so much time at home over the past year has for many, led to a renewed desire to appreciate the amazing natural beauty all around us. In fact, endorsements such as hiking (94%), clean air (50%) and nature (44%) on Booking.com have increased significantly since the start of the pandemic*. On top of that, 73%** of Americans say they are looking to appreciate more of life’s simple pleasures, such as spending more time outdoors, once it’s safe to travel again.
Considering this growing passion to reconnect with the great outdoors and with National Park Week coming up, which kicks off with free entrance to all national parks in the United States on April 17, we have delved into our more than 28 million listings in over 153,000 destinations around the world to present seven sensational stays near some of America’s most beautiful national parks. From rustic resorts and lodges to spacious campsites surrounded by gorgeous greenery, there is something for every traveler, when the time is right again.
Lajitas Golf Resort, Big Bend National Park, Texas
Encompassing more than 800,000 acres in southwest Texas, Big Bend National Park is a hiker's paradise. With miles of scenic trails winding through stunning rock formations and impressive canyons, the park provides visitors with an amazing opportunity to experience the region’s unique plants and wildlife firsthand.
Nestled between Big Bend National Park and the State Park with the same name, Lajitas Golf Resort is perfect for nature lovers. More adventurous guests can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities like zip-lining through Quiet Canyon, horseback riding and mountain biking. For stunning views of the iconic actual ‘Big Bend’ in the Rio Grande river, the resort’s golf course offers a unique experience even for the most well-travelled golf players.
Jackson Lake Lodge, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Just north of Jackson, Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park is an incredible expanse of alpine lakes, pine forest and the towering, craggy peaks of the Grand Teton Mountain Range. Boasting 310,000 acres of lush valleys, this breathtaking national park is a wonderland for outdoor activities, including everything from mountain climbing and fly fishing to horseback riding and hiking.
Located directly in Grand Teton National Park, the comfortable cottages of the Jackson Lake Lodge are surrounded by evergreen trees in every direction. After a day of exploring, the lodge’s floor-to-ceiling windows provide picture-perfect vistas of the impressive nearby peaks.
Kilauea Lodge and Restaurant, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
Featuring one of the most unique geological landscapes in the US, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is located 45 miles southwest of Hilo and is home to two active volcanoes, Maunaloa and Kilauea. Travelers visiting this marvelous national park can discover 150 miles of hiking trails through a striking landscape of volcanic craters and tropical rainforest.
Situated only a mile away from the entrance to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea Lodge and Restaurant was originally built as a YMCA camp in 1938. This historical lodge is a real rainforest retreat with lush, tropical gardens, perfect for a relaxing break. After a day exploring the island, guests can kick back with a drink in the property’s beautiful restaurant, with its cathedral ceilings and exposed wooden beams.
Crater Lake Resort, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
One of the world’s most pristine lakes and the deepest in the United States, Oregon’s iconic Crater Lake inspires global travelers with its mesmerizing blue color and surrounding rock formations. Fed only by snow and rain, the lake’s crystal clear waters create the perfect backdrop for Instagram-worthy images any time of the year.
Located in Fort Klamath in the southwest corner of the state, Crater Lake Resort offers luxurious tents, comfortable bungalows and beautiful cottages near the national park. Surrounded by a dense pine forest, this accommodation gives travelers the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities like fly fishing, kayaking and bird watching in the surrounding area.
The Inn at Death Valley, Death Valley, California
One of America’s largest national parks and famous for being the hottest place in North America, Death Valley is part of the Mojave Desert and popular for its colorful canyons and sand dunes. Full of an array of natural wonders, including ancient geological formations and salt flats that are actually 282 feet below sea level and also the lowest place on the continent, this unique national park is a photographer’s dream thanks to its varied landscapes. The park is also a perfect destination for stargazing, especially during the winter and spring months, thanks to clear skies and low light pollution in the park.
Located within the national park itself, The Inn at Death Valley is a beautiful resort with palm trees and natural springs running through it. Overlooking the Panamint Mountains, the resort’s spa is ideal for a little pampering, particularly after a long, hot day exploring all the desert landscapes Death Valley has to offer.
McKinley Creekside Cabins, Denali National Park, Alaska
Centered around the tallest mountain peak in North America and bearing the same name, Denali National Park covers over six million acres of land, with over two million as officially designated wilderness. Home to an incredible range of unique plant and animal life, and stunning glaciers that cover about 16% of the park, this practically untouched paradise is perfect to visit any time of the year. Travelers can enjoy blooming wildflowers blanketing the valleys during the warmer months, while winter is a great time for skiing.
Located about 12 miles south of the Denali National Park entrance on Carlo Creek, these wooden cabins are surrounded by expanses of forest and jagged mountain peaks. Before a day of adventure, guests can start their morning with a hot cup of coffee on the property’s patio, serenaded by the gurgling waters of the nearby creek.
The Inn on Mount Desert, Acadia National Park, Maine
Situated along the rocky, picturesque coast of Maine, about 160 miles from Portland, Maine, and about 50 miles from Bangor, Acadia National Park impresses visitors with its beautiful hiking trails, deep forests, breathtaking ocean views and crystal-clear lakes. The park’s easy accessibility makes it an attractive destination for any time of the year. Travelers can swim in the lakes in summer, with hiking being a popular pastime during the cooler months, especially in autumn, when the park is popular for the fall foliage that is particularly stunning in mid-October.
The Inn on Mount Desert is about a mile away from Acadia National Park and within walking distance from the downtown of charming Bar Harbor. Surrounded by oak trees, the rocking chairs on the property’s front porch are perfect for a relaxing moment after a day exploring the great outdoors.
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*Based on endorsements left on Booking.com as part of post-stay reviews. Insight based on endorsements that saw the biggest increase in monthly usage between 1st April 2020 and 11th September 2020, compared to the average monthly endorsements between January 2019 and February 2020.
**Research commissioned by Booking.com and conducted among a sample of adults who have traveled for business or leisure in the past 12 months, and must be planning to travel in the next 12 months (if/once travel restrictions are lifted). In total 20,934 respondents across 28 countries and territories were polled (including 999 from USA, 496 from Canada, 497 from Mexico, 997 from Colombia, 999 from Brazil, 499 from Argentina, 995 from Australia, 499 from New Zealand, 999 from Spain, 996 from Italy, 996 from France, 999 from UK, 996 from Germany, 498 from Netherlands, 499 from Denmark, 499 from Sweden, 498 from Croatia, 1001 from Russia, 498 from Israel, 997 from India, 994 from China, 499 from Hong Kong, 497 from Thailand, 496 from Singapore, 499 from Taiwan, 997 from South Korea, 500 from Vietnam and 995 from Japan). Respondents completed an online survey in July 2020.