School graduations are happening across the country, which means that the dream summer vacation is almost here. The United States is blessed with amazing and beautiful national parks, and some of them feature some of the best hotels in the world. They feature some of the best lodging, amenities, and dining options any guest could want.
What makes these hotels even better is their location. They are not an hour away from trailheads or the front gates of national parks; instead, they are located right there, or just minutes from the great outdoor adventures. Each one of these hotels is a Michelin-selected hotel, which means guests can expect to be staying at a top-notch location. For those hitting the road this summer, here are some of the best hotels in the world that are close to U.S. national parks.
Lionsback Resort — Moab, Utah
Moab is a small town that features big-time scenery and is less than five minutes away from Lionsback Resort in Utah. Here, dramatic crimson cliffs meet the refreshing embrace of the Colorado River, creating a stunning backdrop for adventure. The resort redefines the Moab experience with private, design-forward whole-home vacation rentals set against Utah’s most iconic desert landscape. Lionsback is crafted for guests seeking tranquility, trail access, and a more elevated way to explore Moab.
Moab’s diverse trails promise unforgettable experiences that cater to every skill level. The resort features easy access to nearby Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, and Sand Flats Recreation Area. Lionshead Resort offers custom-planned adventure packages tailored to its guests’ interests and itineraries.
Guests can choose from a variety of outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and off-roading trails within the 9,000+ acre Sand Flats Recreation Area. It has direct access to the famed Mill Creek Trail and Hells Revenge 4×4 Trail for some of the world’s most adventurous terrain. For those who do not want to leave the comforts of the resort, there is an on-site trail system for roaming and biking through the resort.
Rush Creek Lodge at Yosemite — Yosemite, California
Over four million people visit Yosemite National Park each year, making it one of the most visited parks in the United States. Just a half mile outside the Highway 120 West entrance of Yosemite, visitors will find Rush Creek Lodge, a hidden gem that allows guests to have their own backstage pass to the national park.
The lodge’s many amenities are designed to create an outstanding getaway for kids and adults alike. It features a Yosemite-inspired spa, local nature trails, an amazing restaurant and tavern, a charming general store, a swimming pool area, guided Yosemite adventures, and daily onsite activities. Rush Creek Lodge opened in 2016 and has 143 rooms that are a combination of suites and hillside villas that are spread throughout the trees.
Rush Creek’s onsite Recreation Team provides Yosemite tours, daily activities, and free planning advice. Guests can choose from dozens of Yosemite excursions that include everything from driving tours of the park’s most iconic spots to more adventurous hikes, fly fishing, overnight backpacking, and even airplane rides over the Park.
Ofland Escalante — Escalante, Utah
Ofland Escalante is one of the more unique resorts on this list, and its 22 acres are surrounded by the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. This resort has a wide variety of lodging options, like modern cabins, restored vintage airstreams, or campsites, that all have luxurious amenities and expansive views. Bryce Canyon National Park is located about 45 minutes away, but the resort itself is the perfect place to experience America’s greatest western landscapes.
Guests who choose to stay in an Airstream are in for a treat. The camper features full access to a spa-quality shared bathhouse, fully stocked and complete with heated outdoor showers. Ofland Esclante’s hotel has private outdoor showers, a drive-in movie theater, an oversized pool and hot tub, and countless Southern Utah activities close to the hotel.
Guests can hike to a slot canyon or waterfall, drive Utah’s All-American Scenic Byway 12 (one of the most beautiful roads in the U.S.), or ride horseback through Bryce Canyon National Park. This year, Ofland Escalante joined the ranks as one of the few boutique outdoor-centric hotels recognized by Travel + Leisure’s 500 World’s Best Hotels Awards.
Rocky Waters Inn — Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Located in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, Rocky Waters Inn sits directly on the Little Pigeon River in downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The resort is an adults-only retreat steeped in history, with the intent to allow guests to slow down, relax, and enjoy nature. No two rooms are the same at the inn, but all are located close to the water and a peace rooted in the past. The inn’s Heirloom Room restaurant features Appalachian dry-aged meats and small-batch bourbons.
The Great Smoky Mountains are America’s most-visited national park and are just a short drive from the inn. The park offers hundreds of miles of trails, scenic drives, waterfalls, and wildlife viewing; it’s a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty of the Smokies.
For nature lovers who like to explore, the park itself covers over 800 square miles in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. No other area of equal size in a temperate climate can match the park’s amazing diversity. There are over 19,000 species that have been documented in the park, and scientists believe an additional 80,000-100,000 species may live here.
The Bungalows — Joshua Tree, California
The Bungalows are 14 renovated mid-century post-and-beam-style suites located in the historic Joshua Tree Retreat Center in California. This 150+ acre retreat is situated a few minutes’ drive from the national park and is home to the Mentalphysics Spiritual Teaching and Retreat Center, as well as the largest known collection of buildings by the architect Lloyd Wright, son of Frank Lloyd Wright.
The retreat’s 14 rooms, studios, and suites share three structures; each one feels like a freestanding mid-century home, complete with full-length windows that stretch from the concrete floors to the post-and-beam ceilings. They also come with kitchenettes or full kitchens, plus a pantry that can be stocked with groceries and coffee. There’s communal outdoor space, including fire pits and grills, and each unit has its own private patio with a far-ranging view of the austere landscape. It is surrounded by serene desert landscapes and offers a peaceful stay while being only minutes from Joshua Tree Village, the national park, and Pioneertown.
Joshua Tree National Park covers nearly 800,000 acres of mystical beauty and is renowned for its serene landscape of sweeping granite monoliths and boulder formations, perfect for meditation and exploration. The Bungalows are conveniently located just a few miles from Joshua Tree Village and the park’s west entrance.
The Inn at Little Washington — Washington, Virginia
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, The Inn became the first in America to earn two five-star awards from Mobil/Forbes Travel Guides, one for its restaurant and one for accommodations, and also received two five-diamond awards from AAA and two stars from the Michelin Guide.
For those looking for a summer escape to explore the Virginia Countryside, this culinary gem should be on your list. It features a one-night stay in one of its 23 luxurious accommodations, complete with a three-Michelin-star-rated dinner for two and a complimentary breakfast the next morning. The rooms and suites are decorated in English theatrical style with heavy drapery, antiques, and hand-painted ceilings. Breakfast is served in-room or in the Terrace Room, and afternoon tea is a traditional daily event.
The Inn at Little Washington, which was once a humble garage in a tiny Virginia town, has transformed into a world-renowned culinary destination since its founding in 1978. World-renowned chef Patrick O’Connell has been recognized as a pioneer and “the Pope” of American cuisine. Chef O’Connell has cooked for VIP’s and even for Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Virginia in 2007.
The inns’ locations give guests plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures, historical sites, culinary delights, or unique shopping experiences; there’s something here for everyone. The inn is two miles from the breathtaking landscapes of Shenandoah National Park and the fascinating underground world of Luray Caverns, to the artisanal offerings at local wineries and breweries.
The park is just 75 miles from Washington, DC, and features cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. It has over 200,000 acres of protected lands that are a haven to deer, songbirds, and black bears. There are so many things visitors have to explore at this great national park.
While the United States boasts 63 designated national parks and a vast system of 433 protected areas, not all lodging is created equal. The parks on this list stand out for featuring the absolute best hotels—offering guests premier accommodations, top-tier amenities, and unparalleled access to the great outdoors.