NEW YORK, NY — Spending the night inside or near a national park can turn a visit into a full getaway, with trailheads, lakes and mountain views just outside the door. A new Condé Nast Traveler roundup spotlights some of the country’s most beautiful places to stay.
The list includes upscale lodges, inns, treehouses and glamping sites in and around parks from Big Bend to Yellowstone. Many offer the comforts of a hotel while keeping travelers close to the outdoors.
Luxury stays pair park scenery with hotel comforts
The roundup emphasizes properties that combine location and design, from five-star lodges in Grand Teton to inns with heated pools in Acadia. It also includes treehouse stays in the Great Smoky Mountains for travelers who want something more unusual.
These options are aimed at visitors who want access to nature without giving up a king-size bed, a private bathroom or other modern amenities. Some of the stays are inside park boundaries, while others sit nearby.
America’s most visited parks remain major draws
The article notes that Great Smoky Mountains National Park was the most visited U.S. national park in 2025, drawing 11.5 million visitors. Zion followed with 4.98 million visits, and Yellowstone received 4.76 million.
It also points to the Grand Canyon as the best-known park culturally, arguing that it is one of the names most Americans immediately recognize.
Overnight lodging is available in nearly every national park
According to the roundup, nearly every U.S. national park offers some form of overnight stay. Most parks have campgrounds, and some also include hotels, resorts or vacation rentals located directly within park boundaries.
The piece notes a few exceptions, including Gateway Arch National Park and the National Park of American Samoa, but says camping and other lodging options are widely available across the system.
Spring and fall are often the easiest times to visit
The article says there is no single bad season for a national park trip, but spring and fall often bring a better balance of weather and crowd levels. Summer can be busy, and some western parks can also become very hot.
It adds that winter can be an especially appealing time for parks such as the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Acadia, where colder months may bring lower hotel prices and lighter crowds.
Plan smarter with Travel Your Way.