Top 10 national park lodges

Maho Bay Camps
For an experience that’s more about being one with nature than simply seeing it, grab a ferry to remote St. John, and stay in one of the 114 canvas tents of Maho Bay Camps, in the Virgin Islands National Park. But be prepared: While the accommodations are comfortable, this stay is more camp than lodge, with bathhouses a walk away, and only the most basic amenities provided. Visitors of all tastes are sure to be accommodated, though: Those looking for a total retreat can enjoy art, yoga, and holistic workshops; budget travelers can inquire about work-stay programs; while those seeking a little more luxury can try Concordia Eco-Tents, Harmony Studios, or Estate Concordia Studios, all deluxe sister resorts of Maho Bay.

Many Glacier Hotel
The wilds of Glacier National Park beckon with attractions for the outdoor enthusiast, from vast forests and over 700 miles of Montana trails, to meadows, mountains, and, of course, glaciers! But perhaps the activity-laden center of it all is Swiftcurrent Lake, which teems with boaters and shoreline hikers, all overseen by the Swiss-chalet charm of the five-story Many Glacier Hotel along its shores. With its marvelous lakeside rooms, balconies boasting stellar alpine views (keep an eye out for bears), and a cozy lobby with a fireplace to warm up by, you're likely to feel like you've stumbled upon Switzerland itself. Despite being constructed as far back as 1915, Many Glacier remains the park's largest hotel and it still wows visitors with its breathtaking location.

Phantom Ranch
While the landmark South Rim El Tovar Hotel, built by Hopi craftsmen in 1905, may get all of the glory for its historical charm and architecture, there is certainly no Grand Canyon property more appreciated than the Phantom Ranch. Located at the bottom of the canyon, its remote locale makes it a veritable oasis for the forlorn hikers and mule-bound trekkers that reach the bottom of this seeming abyss. Set underneath shady cottonwoods just north of the Colorado River, guests who descend this far can bed down comfortably in rustic air-conditioned cabins and dormitory-style lodgings, soothe tired muscles with a hot shower, hit the canteen to refuel, and set up a base for even more hiking or angling.

Volcano House
For a piping-hot getaway, shack up at the Volcano House, near Kilauea crater in the Big Island’s Volcanoes National Park. Originally built as a house of worship to the volcano goddess, Pele, the dwelling has since housed Mark Twain and F.D.R., and, today, offers country-style accommodations at a safe distance from the spewing summits. The best of the 42 rooms — all with Koa-wood furnishings and Hawaiian quilts — have crater views, while others overlook lush forests and Mauna Loa Mountain, the world’s most massive volcano, rearing up 13,677 feet from sea level. Kilauea itself is also the world’s most active volcano, making this place one geological — and tourism — hot spot.

Zion Lodge
The best way to absorb the stunning scenery of Utah’s first national park is to stay right in the middle of it at the Zion Lodge — the only lodge on park grounds. Surrounded by vast canyons and soaring sandstone cliffs, the property is an ideal base for treks through Zion’s narrow ravines, forested plateaus, and Virgin River waterways. Classic log cabins here are the accommodations of choice, with gas-burning fireplaces, porches, and pine carpentry, while the standard motel-style rooms attached to the lodge have either a balcony or porch. But, it’s the easy access to the wild playground of Zion that makes these digs so popular; you'll be within striking distance of famous sights and trails like the Zion Narrows, Angels Landing, Emerald Pools, and Kolob Arch.

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