6 Best Lodgings Near America’s National Parks

Apr 16, 2019 | Article

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Spring has sprung (at this writing), and residents of Southern Utah are relieved, to say the least! After one of the coldest and wettest winters on record, the sun is gracing the blue sky again, temperatures are warm, and people are outside for their comings and goings. It’s time for day trips or longer vacations, and America’s national parks are just the ticket. The National Park Service expects record numbers of visitors to parks like Zion National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon—the “Big Four.”

To welcome and coddle you on your stay, six fine lodges and vacation rentals in or near the “Big Four” and the rest of America’s national parks await you. Here they are:

Within minutes of Zion National Park, you’ll find the Watchman Villas, the jewels of vacation condos. The villas are furnished with class, and their kitchens leave nothing to be desired—all for your independence and relaxing pleasure. The Watchman is close to great restaurants, like Bit and Spur, near fantastic gift shops, and convenient, of course, to the free shuttle into Zion Canyon.

Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park is busy, but understandably so. The hikes are gorgeous and varied—something for everyone. The Stanley Hotel is just five miles from the Park’s entrance and has nostalgia written all over it. Built in 1909, the 140-room Colonial Revival Stanley Hotel is famous for its inspirational role in The Shining, a novel by Stephen King. Contrary to the novel and movie, The Stanley is family-friendly with great views and lots of antique kitsch.

Glacier National Park in Montana has earned the moniker, Crown of the Continent, and is the headwaters for streams that flow to the Pacific Ocean, Hudson’s Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico. About 25 miles away, near Whitefish, Montana, are the Snow Bear Chalets, which stand like luxurious tree houses in the forest. This stop is known for its tasty restaurants and exquisite architecture.

Yosemite is well-known for its ubiquitous waterfalls and picturesque valleys. It also features giant sequoias and expansive meadows. Yosemite’s Majestic Hotel has been serving tourists since 1927. It offers vistas of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Glacier Point. The outdoor pool is heated year-round. Without Yosemite, America’s national parks would be like a wrestler without an arm.

The Grand Canyon’s steep walls and colors are world-famous and make stunning photographs. Follow the ridge out to Skeleton Point for a 360-degree view of the canyon. After a good night’s sleep, you can wake up near the edge at El Tovar, a special lodge designed by Charles Wittlesly and built in 1905 on the south rim of the canyon.

The Great Smoky Mountains—part of the Appalachian Mountain Range—are the most visited of America’s national parks. Its bevy of hikes, rivers, and wildlife make it the outdoors of dreams, books, and movies. The morning, the poignant fog gave the park its name. Blackberry Farm stands in eastern Tennessee and lives up to its name, offering seasonal, delicious produce.