12 Best Historic National Park Lodges, Hotels & Resorts

As much as I love camping, I also really enjoy staying at historic national park lodges. In fact, in some national parks, such as Yellowstone, Glacier, Shenandoah, and Olympic, spending a night or two at a lodge or rustic hotel is unforgettable. It’s no less than a quintessential national park experience in some places.

After a day filled with activities—hiking, kayaking, fishing, wildlife viewing,… whatever it may be—few things are more enjoyable than relaxing in the lobby, bar or reading room of a rustic lodge.

Many of the greatest historic lodges in the national parks feature that distinct “parkitecture” style, also known as National Park Service Rustic or NPS Rustic.

This typical architectural style uses native materials, whole logs and thoughtful designs to let buildings in national parks, including lodges and hotels, but also visitor centers and museums, blend in with their natural environment.

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12 Greatest Historic National Park Lodges, Hotels & Resorts
More Historic National Park Lodges and Hotels

12 Greatest Historic National Park Lodges, Hotels & Resorts

So, if you’re planning to, or dreaming of, spending the night at one of the grand national park lodges, you’ll find the best ones in this blog post. Each has its own character and atmosphere. All are worth seeing, visiting and staying at.

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Crater Lake Lodge, Crater Lake National Park

Established: 1915
Season: late-May through mid-October
Nearby attractions: Crater Lake, historic Rim Village, Rim Village Promenade, Garfield Peak, Wizard Island, Discovery Point Trail

Crater Lake Lodge seen from the Garfield Peak Trail, Crater Lake National Park

Discovery Point Trail view, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Set on the southwestern rim of the Crater Lake caldera and one of the park’s top attractions, Crater Lake Lodge overlooks this extraordinary lake, located a thousand feet below.

Dating from 1915, this rustic lodge has attracted visitors ever since it opened, even despite its initial lack of facilities. The stunning view of this famous Oregon lake below has always been enough to draw in a steady stream of tourists. That extraordinary Crater Lake panorama continues to dazzle visitors to this day.

Nowadays, however, the lodge does have most modern hotel amenities, while still offering a classic 1920s atmosphere and charming interior.

Because of the high amount of snowfall in Crater Lake National Park, which makes it one of the best national parks for snowshoeing, the lodge is only open from late-May through mid-October.

From the Crater Lake Lodge, hiking trails lead to nearby peaks and along the crater rim. The Garfield Peak Trail, one of my favorite hikes in Crater Lake National Park, starts right next to the lodge.

The scenic Rim Village Promenade offers breathtaking views of the lake, eventually turning into the unpaved Discovery Point Trail.

Check Availability at Crater Lake Lodge Here

More About Crater Lake National Park

Paradise Inn, Mount Rainier National Park

Established: 1916
Season: late-May through early-October
Nearby attractions: Skyline Trail, Paradise meadows, Myrtle Falls, Reflection Lakes

Paradise Inn in Mount Rainier National Park in Fall

Edith Creek, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

In Mount Rainier National Park, situated in the heart of Washington, you can stay at one of the greatest buildings and lodges in the national parks system.

The fifth-oldest national park in the United States, Mount Rainier National Park was the very first one that had a master plan behind its design.

The area’s initial lack of human settlement in combination with that master plan made it a fantastic place for “parkitecture” development.

Nowadays, the park has four distinct historic areas—Sunrise, Paradise, Longmire and Ohanapecosh—which all boast the National Park Service Rustic architecture style.

The park’s best example of the style is the Paradise Inn, a large hotel designed to weather and withstand the challenging winters of the Cascade Mountains. Observant of the native-materials policy, the hotel was built partially with the remains of a forest fire.

The Paradise Inn, built in 1916 and designated as one of the “Great Lodges of the West”, still has its original rustic style and atmosphere.

Located at popular Paradise at Mount Rainier, this beautiful lodge also has a gift shop, post office, dining room and café.

It’s a phenomenal place to spend a night or two at Mount Rainier, situated mere steps from the spectacular Skyline Trail and Myrtle Falls, amazing Mount Rainier views, and a short drive from Reflection Lakes.

In summer the Paradise meadows burst into a spectacular display of wildflowers, while berry bushes exhibit brilliant oranges and reds in the fall at Mount Rainier.

Of the two Mount Rainier National Park lodges—the other one is the National Park Inn at Longmire—this is inarguably the grandest.

Check Availability at Paradise Inn Here

More About Mount Rainier National Park

Lake Quinault Lodge, Olympic National Park

Established: 1926
Season: All year
Nearby attractions: Quinault Rain Forest, Lake Quinault, Quinault Rain Forest Loop Drive

Located in the lush Quinault Valley, which encompasses both Lake Quinault and the Quinault Rain Forest, the Lake Quinault Lodge is easily one of the grandest historic national park lodges.

If you’re exploring the Pacific Northwest on a national parks road trip, this is one of the lodges I recommend staying at. Additionally, it is also one of the best national park wedding locations!

The rustic Lake Quinault Lodge oozes charm and is the star accommodation at Lake Quinault, taking up a large area along its southern shore.

Technically, however, the lodge is in Olympic National Forest, but you can get to the southwestern part of Olympic National Park via the wonderful Quinault Rain Forest Loop Drive.

Dating from 1926, this rustic national park lodge features a large sitting area, restaurant, grassy lawn with wonderful lake views, boat rentals and lake access. It’s open all year.

While winters come with bucket loads of rain on the western Olympic Peninsula, it’s still a great time to experience Olympic National Park’s magnificent temperate rain forests. Spring and fall weather is unreliable and erratic, while the brief summers are sunny and warm.

After a day of exploring these enchanting mossy forests, you can warm and dry up in the lodge’s cozy main room, which has a restaurant and bar, board games, books and atmospheric lighting.

Offering various lake activities, as well as fantastic wildlife viewing, great hiking, breathtaking Quinault Rain Forest scenery, and some beautiful waterfalls, there’s more than enough to do around Olympic’s Lake Quinault to keep you busy for two to three days.

Check Availability at Lake Quinault Lodge Here

More About Olympic National Park

Ross Lake Resort, North Cascades National Park

Established: 1952
Season: mid-June through October
Nearby attractions: Ross Lake Dam, Diablo Lake Overlook, Maple Pass Loop Trail

Maple Pass Loop hiker Caroline in the North Cascades, Washington

The tranquil Ross Lake Resort offers lakeshore accommodation on the heart of the spectacular North Cascades.

Located in the Ross Lake National Recreation Area, which is part of the greater North Cascades National Park Service Complex, the resort consists of a series of fifteen floating cabins.

Established in 1952, this mountain getaway is so popular reservations are only accepted one year in advance. Ross Lake Resort is fully booked every season, so it’s critical to plan and book way ahead.

A stay at this scenic resort provides you with amazing outdoor recreation opportunities. The resort has its own marina and boat rentals, while trails wind deep into the North Cascades wilderness.

Ross Lake Resort is not accessible by road, making it the ultimate mountain retreat. To get there, you either have to hike in or take a short boat shuttle from the Ross Lake Dam.

If you’re looking for day trip options away from the resort, there are a few other must-see places in the North Cascades.

I recommend going for a drive on Route 20. Hike the spectacular Maple Pass Loop and admire the jaw-dropping view from the Diablo Lake Overlook, easily one of the most scenic viewpoints in the national parks system.

Check Availability at Ross Lake Resort Here

More About North Cascades National Park

Skyland Resort, Shenandoah National Park

Established: 1890s
Season: late-March through late-November
Nearby attractions: Stony Man, Whiteoak Canyon, Hawksbill Summit, Skyline Drive, Big Meadows

Skyland mug, Skyland Resort, Shenandoah National Park

The oldest national park hotel in this list, Skyland Resort is older than Shenandoah National Park itself. Originally called Stony Man Camp, the resort was built in the 1890’s at what is now the highest point on Skyline Drive, at 3,680 feet of elevation.

Skyland Resort offers panoramic views of the Shenandoah Valley and a variety of accommodation options. There are cabins, traditional rooms, premium rooms and suites, spread out across 28 separate buildings along Skyline Drive.

Other amenities include a well-stocked gift shop, a dining room and a lively taproom.

Skyland Resort is one of two historic Shenandoah National Park lodges—the other one is the rustic Big Meadows Lodge. Both of these historic national park lodges are excellent and well-located, but my personal favorite is Skyland. It’s a great base for scenic hikes in Shenandoah National Park.

The popular Stony Man Trail starts at Skyland Resort, while the challenging yet worthwhile Whiteoak Canyon Trail is just minutes away. Just south of the resort, you’ll find the trailhead to Hawksbill Summit, the park’s highest mountain.

A drive on Skyline Drive is arguably the top attraction in Shenandoah National Park, a scenic road lined with over 70 overlooks, numerous trailheads and several historic sites.

Spend a couple of nights at Skyland Resort to enjoy those glorious Shenandoah sunrises and sunsets.

Dawn and dusk also offer the best wildlife viewing in Shenandoah. Watch for white-tailed deer, wild turkeys and, especially, the park’s famous black bears.

When visiting Shenandoah National Park in the fall, make sure to book your stay way in advance. Glorious fall foliage makes this the park’s busiest season.

Check Availability at Skyland Resort Here

Big Meadows Lodge, Shenandoah National Park

Established: 1939
Season: late-April through mid-November
Nearby attractions: Big Meadows, Byrd Visitor Center, Dark Hollow Falls, Hawksbill Summit

Big Meadows Lodge in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Nestled in the very heart of Shenandoah National Park, the Big Meadows Lodge area is the main tourist hub in the park.

Across from Big Meadows itself, a sprawling grassy expanse offering fantastic wildlife viewing and stargazing opportunities, there’s an excellent visitor center, convenience store, souvenir shop, and snack bar, as well as the park’s only gas station. The large Big Meadows Campground is popular among campers.

Big Meadows Lodge is about a mile from Skyline Drive. The main lodge building, which dates from 1939, houses a gift shop, restaurant, taproom, and the impressive Great Room. There are also a number of main rooms in the historic lodge.

Additionally, Big Meadows Lodge offers accommodation in small detached cabins, traditional rooms, suites, as well as pet-friendly rooms. All rooms are within easy walking distance of the main lodge.

From the lodge, it’s also an easy walk to Big Meadows, where a dense network of unmarked trails crisscross this historic farming area.

Keep your eyes peeled for white-tailed deer, a variety of birds and insects, and the occasional black bear.

Big Meadows Lodge is a fantastic basecamp to explore the heart of Shenandoah National Park. The trail to popular Dark Hollow Falls starts nearby, while Hawksbill Summit is another popular hike in the area.

Check Availability at Big Meadows Lodge Here

More About Shenandoah National Park

Many Glacier Hotel, Glacier National Park

Established: 1914-1915
Season: early-June through mid-September
Nearby attractions: Swiftcurrent Lake, Lake Josephine, Grinnell Lake and Grinnell Glacier, Many Glacier Road, Iceberg Lake

Many Glacier Hotel on Swiftcurrent Lake, Glacier National Park

Historic boat ferry Morning Eagle on Lake Josephine at Many Glacier, Glacier National Park

Yet another stunning hotel that features the iconic “parkitecture” style, Many Glacier Hotel is one of top places to stay in Glacier National Park.

Built on the shore of shimmering Swiftcurrent Lake, one of many scenic lakes in Glacier National Park, this Swiss-style lodge is one of the most iconic historic national park lodges.

Construction began in 1914, ending merely a year later in 1915. Built to make Glacier National Park a tourist destination, to promote this region as the “American Alps”, the hotel definitely fulfilled its initial purpose.

One of the driving forces behind its establishment and construction was Louis W. Hill, the president of the Great Northern Railway.

Both the Many Glacier Hotel and Glacier Park Lodge, which is in East Glacier just outside the park’s boundaries, served as the focal points of tourism, while smaller backcountry chalets and campgrounds offered a more intimate nature experience.

Nowadays, the Many Glacier Hotel still offers visitors an immersive national parks experience. Overlooking Swiftcurrent Lake in spectacular Many Glacier, it’s a superb place to enjoy the sunset in Glacier National Park.

There are also kayak and canoe rentals, as well as a boat shuttle to the other side of the lake.

Additionally, this is the starting point for a number of the top hikes in Glacier National Park.

From Many Glacier Hotel, you can walk the paved Swiftcurrent Nature Trail or go for longer day hikes to gorgeous locations like Lake Josephine, Cracker Lake, Grinnell Lake and Grinnell Glacier, which is the only accessible glacier in the park.

But that’s not all, though. Many Glacier is also a wildlife haven. Sightings of moose, bighorn sheep, black bears and grizzly bears are very common here, often from the very deck of the hotel itself.

Check Availability at Many Glacier Hotel Here

Lake McDonald Lodge, Glacier National Park

Established: 1913
Season: mid-May through late-September
Nearby attractions: Lake McDonald, Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Lake Trail, McDonald Creek and Falls, Apgar Village

Lake McDonald reflection and pebbles, Glacier National Park

One of the oldest national park lodges in America, the Lake McDonald Lodge is a popular place to stay on the west side of Glacier National Park.

This iconic and beautiful Swiss-style lodge sits on the eastern shore of vast Lake McDonald, the largest lake in the park.

Besides offering rustic accommodation, the lodge is also one of the top sights on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, its magnificent lobby decorated with stuffed mountain goats and the heads of moose, bighorn sheep and elk.

The Lake McDonald Lodge actually predates the Going-to-the-Sun Road, evidenced by its main entrance, which faces the lake, away from the road.

You can stay in one of the main lodge rooms, situated on the lodge’s second and third floors, or in a cabin room, located along a tree-lined path right next to the lodge. Other facilities include a dining room, grill and pizzeria, a lounge and a reading room.

At Lake McDonald Lodge, you can rent kayaks and canoes, go on horseback rides, take a tour with an iconic Red Bus, join a boat cruise and much more.

Check Availability at Lake McDonald Lodge Here

More About Glacier National Park

Signal Mountain Lodge, Grand Teton National Park

Established: late-1920s
Season: mid-May through mid-October
Nearby attractions: Jackson Lake, Oxbow Bend, Willow Flats, Teton Range, Jenny Lake

Nachos and beer on Jackson Lake, Signal Mountain Lodge, Grand Teton

Situated on the shore of sprawling Jackson Lake in the heart of Wyoming‘s Grand Teton National Park, Signal Mountain Lodge is the only lakefront accommodation in the park.

Established in the late-1920s as a fishing camp for wealthy outdoorsmen, the property expanded over the following decades, to become one of the greatest and best-equipped national park lodges in the West.

You can choose from a variety of lodging options in this well-located Grand Teton National Park lodge. From cozy one-room mountain cabins to spacious units with kitchenettes and lakeshore retreats, Signal Mountain Lodge accommodates all kinds of visitors. There’s a campground here as well.

Other amenities include a convenience store, gas station, floating trips, boat rentals, free WiFi, a restaurant and a bar.

During my stay at Signal Mountain, I personally really loved the lodge’s strategic location. It’s only about fifteen minutes from the park’s most popular sights, including Jenny Lake and epic Grand Teton sunrise locations like Oxbow Bend and Willow Flats.

Additionally, this is also a fantastic base if you’d like to see the famous wildlife of Grand Teton.

From elk and moose to bald eagles and grouse to red foxes, black bears and grizzly bears, wild animal are seen at and around the lodge all the time.

Check Availability at Signal Mountain Lodge Here

More About Grand Teton National Park

Old Faithful Inn, Yellowstone National Park

Established: 1903-1904
Season: June through early-October
Nearby attractions: Old Faithful and Upper Geyser Basin, Biscuit and Black Sand Basins, Grand Prismatic Spring and Midway Geyser Basin

Old Faithful Geyser sign, Upper Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park

Arguably the most impressive lodge in the entire national park system, the Old Faithful Inn is the prime example of “parkitecture.”

Besides the park’s famous geysers, hot springs, and wildlife, this man-made attraction is among the top places to visit in Yellowstone. And of course, you can—and should—actually stay here, too.

One of the last remaining log hotels in America, this rustic lodge is an absolute must see in Yellowstone National Park.

It was constructed during the winter of 1903-1904 and features a steep roof, five-story-high lobby, gigantic stone fireplace, mesmerizing wooden decorations and furnishings, and beautiful gabled dormers.

It is a spectacular building, which greatly influenced typical architecture in other national parks later on. To this day, a stay at the Old Faithful Inn remains one of the top national park experiences in the country.

A cheaper accommodation option nearby are the cabins at Old Faithful Lodge, another historic national park lodge.

The Old Faithful Inn and Lodge are the only accommodation in this extremely popular part of Yellowstone National Park. Stay here to enjoy the eruption of Old Faithful at sunrise in peace and quiet—you might even be alone here—an unforgettable experience.

A network of hiking and biking trails depart from the area as well, looping around the Upper Geyser Basin and to nearby Yellowstone attractions like Biscuit and Black Sand Basins.

Check Availability at Old Faithful Inn Here

Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins, Yellowstone National Park

Established: 1936
Season: late-April through late-November (summer) and mid-December through early-March (winter)
Nearby attractions: Fort Yellowstone, Mammoth Hot Springs, Roosevelt Arch, Blacktail Deer Plateau

Minerva Terrace at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, WY

A second Yellowstone National Park hotel I recommend staying at is Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins. Located in the northwestern corner of the park, it’s the perfect base to explore the park’s northern range.

One of the most historic hotels in the park, the hotel as it stands today was constructed in 1936, but it did retain a wing of guest rooms that dates from 1911.

A fascinating feature is the hotel’s Map Room, which houses a huge wooden map of the United States made with fifteen different types of wood from nine countries.

This atmospheric room is a wonderful place to wind down after a day of national park adventures. There are board games and, often, live piano music to enjoy.

Accommodation at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel is available in a variety of cabins, suites and deluxe rooms.

From your cabin or room, you might see a herd of elk or American bison grazing in the surrounding hills or even at the lawn in the middle of the village.

You can easily walk over to the iconic Mammoth Hot Springs, after which the hotel was named. Explore the network of boardwalks that circle past colorful travertine terraces, one of the park’s most famous features.

Nearby attractions include the Roosevelt Arch in Gardiner, as well as the wildlife-rich Blacktail Plateau that is home to gray wolves, bison, black bears and grizzly bears.

The Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins are open in both winter and summer, with brief closing periods in between the seasons.

In fact, along with the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, this is one of only two Yellowstone National Park lodges that are open during the harsh Yellowstone winter.

Check Availability at Mammoth Hot Springs Here

More About Yellowstone National Park

Volcano House, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park

Established: 1846
Season: year-round
Nearby attractions: Kīlauea Caldera, Crater Rim Trail, Halema‘uma‘u Trail, Sulphur Banks, Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube)

Volcano House hotel in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Big Island of Hawaii

Halema‘uma‘u Trail rain forest hiker in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Its origins dating back to as early as 1846, well before Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park itself was established, Volcano House is one of the oldest still-operating lodges in the national parks.

Located on the very rim of the Halema’uma’u Crater of the famous Kīlauea Volcano, Volcano House is the only public hotel in this sprawling national park on the Big Island of Hawaii.

It’s also the only hotel at Hawai‘i Volcanoes, offering 33 historic guest rooms, a lounge, souvenir shops and two restaurants.

From the hotel’s eateries and some rooms, you can enjoy truly awesome views of the Halema’uma’u Crater. The Crater Rim Trail passes right by the windows outside, while the excellent Halema‘uma‘u Trail runs through a lush rain forest all the way down to the crater floor

A stay at this extraordinary and unique historic national park hotel is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You’ll sleep within a natural UNESCO World Heritage Site, right at the edge of one of the world’s most active volcanoes.

Absolute paradise!

Check Availability at Volcano House Here

More About Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

More Historic National Park Lodges and Hotels

The Ahwahnee, Yosemite National Park (1927)
Lake Yellowstone Hotel & Cabins, Yellowstone National Park (1891)
El Tovar Hotel, Grand Canyon National Park (1905)
Kalaloch Lodge, Olympic National Park (1925)
Lake Crescent Lodge, Olympic National Park (1915)
The Inn at Death Valley, Death Valley National Park (1927)
Zion Lodge, Zion National Park (1925)

Have You Ever Stayed at One of These Amazing Historic National Park Lodges and Hotels? Share Your National Parks Experience Below!

Kathy

Saturday 4th of November 2023

Many Glacier & Old Faithful were both amazing places to stay. They leave you with memories that last a lifetime! Get your reservations a year in advance!

Bram Reusen

Yes, those are among America's greatest natural areas, without a doubt! And I agree that you should book your stay(s) many months in advance.

Cathy

Thursday 2nd of November 2023

I have stayed in a lot of these historic lodges and my favorite was Many Glacier!!

Yes! Many Glacier is amazing! I've personally also had an especially great time at the Quinault Lodge, Skyland, and the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.