The Great Outdoors Is Waiting: 12 Hotels That Get You Closer to National Parks

Vacationing near one of the world’s stunning national parks teeming with wildlife and otherworldly landscapes to explore is one of life’s peak experiences. It’s even better when your base is a relaxing, amenity-rich hotel close to the park. After all, not everyone needs to love tent camping and minimalist campfire cooking to enjoy the great outdoors.

From towering cliffs and waterfalls to island adventures and safari expeditions, these unique hotels take advantage of their epic surroundings and provide guests with a bevy of modern comforts after an adventure-filled day.

As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.

Haleakalā National Park — AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more sublime way to welcome the day than catching a sunrise at the summit of Haleakalā National Park. But the truth is, there’s no bad time to take in the otherworldly landscape, from the crater’s sweeping dunes of clay-red sand and rock to the pictureworthy moments along every stretch as you travel from ocean to summit.

No matter what time of day you make the trek to the island’s version of Mars, pack extra layers of clothes (temps can be below freezing at the top) and load up on sunblock.

Afterward, enjoy a serene hourlong drive back to the AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea in gorgeous, inviting Wailea along Maui’s south coast. Settle into a cozy cabana by the infinity pool and enjoy some local ahi tuna tacos and a pineapple margarita from poolside restaurant Kai, helmed by a team of warm and gracious staff.

Zion National Park — SpringHill Suites by Marriott Springdale Zion National Park

It’s little wonder why Zion National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the U.S. given its stunning steep red cliffs, canyons, and waterfalls.

Adventurous sorts would do well to book an adrenaline-inducing activity such as rock climbing, kayaking, or canyoneering with a local outfitter. For a more moderate activity, hike to the glorious Upper Emerald Pools, a three-mile round-trip with a shuttle that drops you at the trailhead’s start.

Whether you go big and bold with a canyoneering tour or take it slow with a leisurely hike the whole family can enjoy, find a rewarding respite at SpringHill Suites by Marriott Springdale Zion National Park, a mere five-minute drive away.

The amazing views continue at the hotel, and one thing’s for certain: They are best enjoyed from the hot tub.

After dark, when the desert temperature dips, head inside and pull up a cue stick because if you’ve never played a game of pool in front of a roaring fireplace, this is your chance to rectify that lapse.

Banff National Park, Canada — Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, Autograph Collection

With its sweeping Rocky Mountain peaks, crystalline lakes, and abundant wildlife, it’s no surprise that Banff was designated as Canada’s first national park in 1885. In the summer and early fall, paddle a canoe across glacier-fed Lake Louise, hike the Bow Glacier Falls trail, or fish for trout in Lake Minnewanka. In the winter, book an ice-fishing tour, snowshoe along the Bow River Trail, or spend the day playing your preferred snow sport: cross-country skiing, ice climbing, ice-skating, snow tubing, or fat-tire biking.

About an hour drive east from Banff, relax in style at Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, Autograph Collection. This lodge has hosted world leaders, but you don’t need to be a big shot to be treated like one here. The on-site Kananaskis Nordic Spa sprawls over 50,000 square feet, with a hydrotherapy circuit and glorious views of the Canadian Rockies. You can also borrow pickleball gear and hit the courts, check out bikes to explore the area, or lace up hiking boots to venture out on the nearby trails.

Sierra Nevada National Park — Hotel Palacio De Santa Paula, Autograph Collection

The highest peaks in continental Spain can be found in Sierra Nevada National Park in eastern Andalusia. Meander along one (or more) of the park’s 25 footpaths, marked by signs indicating the difficulty level and length.

Along the way, spot mountain goats, wild boar, and badgers, but don’t forget to look up for more awesome wildlife glimpses: Golden eagles, skylarks, and vultures all call the park home.

Less than an hour from the park, the Hotel Palacio de Santa Paula, Autograph Collection, awaits. The luxe Granada property, once a 16th-century convent, is an artistic and historic monument close to Granada’s best attractions, including Gardens of the Triumph, the Archeological Museum, and the Alhambra. Don’t miss dinner at elegant El Claustro Restaurant in what was once the convent’s refectory.

Nikko National Park, Japan — The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko

The area that now makes up Nikko National Park on the island of Honshu has drawn visitors to witness its natural beauty for more than a thousand years. The landscape, shaped by eons of volcanic activity and covered with deciduous forests that turn flame-bright in the fall, has inspired generations of artists. The park is a prime spot to engage in the practice of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, where you walk through the trees and mindfully engage your senses. Nikko’s place as a spiritual and cultural center is evident through the Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines tucked throughout its expanse, with the ornate Nikko Toshogu Shrine being one highlight.

Tucked in the forest in front of Lake Chuzenji, The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko epitomizes elegant simplicity and harmony in its design while offering extravagant views in any season: wooded hillsides of picturesque stratovolcanoes, warm fall colors, and tranquil sunsets over the lake. The natural surroundings might put you in a state of bliss already, but to take it further, each morning monks from a nearby temple lead guests in Zen meditation. Enjoy tea service in the Lobby Lounge, where you can sip sencha and blended teas, and find serenity with a soak in the on-site spa’s onsen, which draws hot spring water from the Nikko Yumoto Onsen. (If this is your first time visiting an onsen, this etiquette guide may be helpful.)

Nahuel Huapi National Park — Arelauquen Lodge, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, San Carlos de Bariloche

Argentina’s first national park, Nahuel Huapi National Park, is named after one of the many lovely lakes in this park located in the country’s Lake District.

There’s a lot of wonder for visitors to experience here, from rushing waterfalls to epic glaciers, flowing rivers, and majestic mountains. Keep an eye out for cougars, foxes, pudus (small deer), and the llamalike guanacos, in addition to a diverse range of bird species.

Awaiting intrepid explorers just a 30-minute drive from the park is Arelauquen Lodge, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, San Carlos de Bariloche. Settling into your luxurious guest room and ordering something off the room-service menu, available 24 hours a day, is a tempting treat, as is a swim in the outdoor pool with gorgeous mountain views. Or head to the hotel’s 18-hole golf course for a friendly game on the green.

Great Smoky Mountains — Courtyard Pigeon Forge

Great Smoky Mountains National Park boasts an incredible 800 miles of hiking trails. A memorable trek (5.4 miles round-trip) takes you to Rainbow Falls, one of the most coveted spots in this park that straddles Tennessee and North Carolina.

On sunny days, the moderate-to-difficult trail rewards hikers with a beautiful rainbow created by the mist of the 80-foot-high cascade. You can also explore the park on horseback, which is a great way to check out colorful fall foliage during leaf-peeping season.

Just a 20-minute drive from the park is the inviting Courtyard by Marriott Pigeon Forge. In addition to an indoor and outdoor pool, this spot has a lazy river, ideal for a leisurely late-afternoon float following a Great Smoky Mountains hike. The on-site eatery, The Bistro, offers an excellent burger, though there are delicious items to please vegetarians, too.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona — Trailborn Grand Canyon

It took hundreds of millions of years to form the Grand Canyon’s beautiful views, and today the Colorado River–carved gorge reveals colorful layers of earth’s history. The Rim Trail offers an easy hike that includes some paved paths near shuttle-bus routes. For a more rugged adventure, follow the Bright Angel Trail as it descends more than 4,000 feet into the canyon and leads to the Havasupai Gardens, where Native Americans farmed for thousands of years.

Conveniently situated for South Rim access, Trailborn Grand Canyon celebrates its location along the historic Route 66, the road that served as America’s gateway to the West during the post-war tourism boom of the 1950s and ’60s. The hotel winks at this era through Miss Kitty’s (its Southwestern steakhouse), mid-century modern decor, live music, and nostalgic games — shuffleboard and darts, anyone? Each room includes a cooler guests can pack for their day of outdoor adventure and free bikes for tooling around the town.

The Grand Canyon’s South Rim is about an hour drive north. Or enjoy even more nostalgic fun and catch a ride from Williams to the park on the Grand Canyon Railway, while musicians and cowboy characters entertain along the way.

Petra Archeological Park, Jordan — Petra Marriott Hotel

Visitors have marveled over Petra Archeological Park for centuries, securing its recognition as one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Nabateans built Petra more than 2,000 years ago, carving its buildings out of ruddy sandstone cliffs in a strategic location south of the Mediterranean and north of the Red Sea, where it could prosper from the Silk Road spice trade.

Petra captures the imagination, its intricate architecture evoking the bustling trade city it once was, so that it remains Jordan’s top tourist attraction. Hike, enjoy a historical walking tour, and experience awe in this ancient city.

Petra Marriott Hotel in Wadi Musa, Jordan, sits just two miles away on a cliff overlooking the ancient city, so you can continue to contemplate its beauty as you enjoy an immersion in Jordanian hospitality. The hotel offers several restaurants, including Al Matal, which is housed in a traditional Bedouin tent overlooking Petra. Here you can recline on couches and enjoy rich local flavors.

The hotel’s pool and Loofah Turkish Bath spa offer tranquility and comfort amid the rocky, ancient landscape.

Arusha National Park — Four Points by Sheraton Arusha, The Arusha Hotel

Arusha National Park in Tanzania may be relatively small compared to some other national parks, but what it lacks in total area, it makes up for in grandeur thanks to Mount Meru, a 14,980-foot volcano.

The other thing this East African park is known for? Giraffes! In fact, the world’s largest population of the species is found in Arusha, and these tall, elegant creatures are joined by zebras, elephants, leopards, hippos, monkeys, and more. For up close yet safe animal viewings, you can’t beat a guided tour or full-length safari.

After a day exploring the park, retreat to the Four Points by Sheraton Arusha, The Arusha Hotel. Bright, airy, and modern decor greets you at one of the region’s oldest hotel spaces, built in 1894. Unwind with a drink at chic Hatari Bar or dinner on the terrace of Parachichi Restaurant overlooking scenic gardens.

Thingvellir National Park, Iceland — ION Adventure Hotel, Nesjavellir, a Member of Design Hotels

The dynamic geology of Iceland is on full display in Thingvellir, Iceland’s first established national park, where you can hike through a rift valley formed by the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates stretching away from each other. Miles of well-maintained boardwalk leads the way to towering Oxarárfoss waterfall and the natural beauty of cliffs, alpine tundra, and birch woodland throughout the park. Even though the park is only a 45-minute drive from Reykjavík, light pollution is minimal, so in the winter it provides an excellent chance to bask in the dreamy colors of the northern lights.

Less than 12 miles south of the park, the modern design of ION Adventure Hotel, Nesjavellir, a Member of Design Hotels complements the landscape, with the expansive windows in the on-site Northern Lights Bar showcasing the views. Keep looking out at the horizon while you enjoy a treatment at the Lava Spa or soak in the heated pool, and enjoy fresh Icelandic cuisine at the Silfra restaurant.

Rincón de la Vieja National Park — El Mangroove, Autograph Collection

Nestled among mangroves on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, El Mangroove, Autograph Collection provides an ideal base for exploring national parks in all directions. When you’re not hiking, you’ll appreciate the hotel’s elegant but unstuffy design, variety of spa services, and pool-side lounging with ocean views.

The 60,000 acres of lush rainforest preserved in Rincón de la Vieja National Park lie about 33 miles to the northeast of El Mangroove. See waterfalls and animals like agouti, toucans, and howler monkeys. There is also plenty of geothermic activity, including an active volcano; sulfurous, bubbling mud pots; geysers; fumaroles; and steaming hot springs. The roads in the Las Pailas Sector are accessible to most vehicles, while those in the Santa Maria Sector are more rugged and require a vehicle with four-wheel drive.

Costa Rica established Guanacaste National Park, about 40 miles north of El Mangroove, in part to protect migration corridors for wildlife. It’s a gorgeous spot for human trekkers too, with hiking trails that lead visitors into habitat frequented by capuchin monkeys and a plethora of birds, such as the striking orange-fronted parakeet.

Or head 50 miles south of El Mangroove to Palo Verde National Park. The sanctuary encompasses a variety of ecosystems, but half of it protects wetlands that host 280 species of birds, including endangered beauties like the jabiru and the scarlet macaw, and the lovely chartreuse trees that give the park its name.