7 Stunning National Park Lodges That Are Every Bit As Iconic As The Parks They Represent

Itchy bison finds personal backscratcher in Yellowstone National Park

A bison was caught on video scratching itself against a sign post in the snowy landscape of Yellowstone National Park.

Staring up at the sheer granite face of Half Dome. Marveling at the sky-high waterworks of Old Faithful. Drinking in views of the Grand Canyon at sunrise. This is the stuff family vacation memories are made of, and days spent exploring national parks are perfectly paired with overnights at a national park lodge. Known for their grand lobbies and dining rooms, cozy guest rooms, and architecture rooted in local materials, America's best national park lodges are almost as iconic as the parks themselves.

From iconic stays within national parks to charming gems just outside park boundaries where in-park lodging is limited, you can expect stunning interiors, thoughtfully designed rooms, and unforgettable views that showcase the best of America's wild beauty. Here are my picks for the most impressive national park lodges in the United States, plus some just-outside-the-park gems where in-park lodging isn’t available. 

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Built at the turn of the 20th century in Yellowstone National Park, the log-style Old Faithful Inn is a shining example of “Parkitecture,” the distinctive architectural style of national park lodges. Its massive fireplace is built from local rock, and many of the original fixtures and furnishings are still on display (check out the lobby’s mission-style furniture and the chandeliers in the dining room). You can stay in one of the more than 300 rooms here between early May and mid-October, and be sure to take a tour of the historic hotel to get the full experience.

Yosemite National Park, California

With its prime position near the base of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park’s main valley, The Ahwahnee delivers style and grandeur inside and out. Completed in 1927, this rustic-elegant national park lodge blends log-beamed ceilings, Native American artwork, and a granite facade and massive stone hearths that echo the surrounding landscape. Welcoming public spaces mean that even non-guests can get a peek at what makes this majestic hotel special. 

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Grand Canyon National Park South Rim, Arizona

Perched on the edge of the magnificent South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the historic El Tovar Hotel delivers classic charm and iconic views to national park guests. Revered as one of the West’s most refined hotels when it opened in 1905, this classic Grand Canyon National Park lodge has welcomed famous guests including Theodore Roosevelt and Albert Einstein. Each of the hotel’s 78 rooms offers a unique layout and decor, and family-friendly suites are also available. 

Bonus tip: If you’re looking to avoid the biggest Grand Canyon crowds, look north. The North Rim has its own smaller Grand Canyon National Park lodge, appropriately named The Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim. Generally, it’s easier to score a reservation here, and while you have to work a little harder for those spectacular views, it remains a sensational Grand Canyon experience. 

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Crater Lake Lodge in Crater Lake National Park first opened in 1915, but the piecemeal approach to construction meant that, in the 1990s, the lodge was deemed unsafe and had to be rebuilt. Many of the original touches of Crater Lake's first lodge remain, though, and the accommodations still feel like a quintessential national park lodge, complete with roaring lobby fireplaces, a rustic dining room, and outdoor seating that makes the most of those unbeatable Crater Lake views. 

EXPLORE MORE: Why my family keeps coming back to Crater Lake, one of the country’s best (and least known) national parks 

Note: Crater Lake will be closed to the public from 2026 to 2029 as its Cleetwood Clove Trail (the only path to the lake) will undergo repairs and renovations.

Olympic National Park, Washington

Though it’s flanked by dense Olympic National Park rainforest, Lake Quinault Lodge still feels warm and welcoming thanks to its grand-but-casual architecture, homey lakeside location, and inviting front lawn with plenty of room to bask. In the lobby, stretch out on a leather couch in front of the fire, or head to the hotel’s deck for a lakeside drink. You’re never far from the water at this national park lodge, either. The indoor pool promises fun rain or shine, and there are boat and paddleboard rentals at the lake. 

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Not only is the Lodge at Bryce Canyon a beloved historic lodge, it’s also the only in-park lodging option in Bryce Canyon National Park. Crowning a mesa near the edge of the canyon, the lodge offers both an ideal location for exploring the national park and a grand-but-cozy retreat. Milled timbers, steeply pitched roofs, and extensive stonework recall the building’s early 20th-century beginnings. Lodge rooms and cabins round out the accommodation options at this rustic resort.

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Glacier National Park, Montana

Enter the lobby at Lake McDonald Lodge in Glacier National Park and you’ll understand immediately what a national park lodge should look like. A massive fireplace, log-style construction, open balconies, and arts-and-crafts style adornments meld to create a rustic elegance that feels like a hug after a long day exploring nature. Built in 1913 on the shore of Lake McDonald, this Glacier National Park hotel retains a simple, rustic elegance. There are also cabin rooms and two annexes: Cobb House offers elegant suites and Snyder Hall has a hostel-style layout. 

Not every national park has a historic lodge within its boundaries. Here are two iconic lodges built just outside their famed national parks. 

▶ Grand Lake Lodge at Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Think you’re going to stay in Rocky Mountain National Park? Think again: The park is one of the few national parks with no in-park lodging. Happily, there are plenty of great options in the nearby communities of Grand Lake and Estes Park. Among the most national-park-lodge-inspired options is the Grand Lake Lodge. At this century-old hotel, you’ll find a comfortable main lodge building with a restaurant, plus 70 cabins spread around the property. 

▶ Bar Harbor Inn at Acadia National Park, Maine

Millions of visitors each year come for some of the nation’s wildest—and most beautiful—coastline at Acadia National Park, making it one of the most popular family vacation spots in the entire country. And while Acadia has no in-park lodges, there are plenty of historic accommodations in nearby communities, including right next door to the park in the charming seaside village of Bar Harbor. One of the most beloved places to stay near Acadia, the Bar Harbor Inn offers many of the trappings of a classic national park lodge. Exceptional views, historical charm, and a grand presence come standard with stays at this property that was originally built in 1887. 

America’s 10 most stunning national park lodges are every bit as iconic as the parks they represent originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations. If you buy an item through a link in our content, we may earn a commission.