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"There is nothing so American as our national parks,” President Franklin D. Roosevelt said in 1934 during a visit to Glacier National Park. “The fundamental idea behind the parks...is that the country belongs to the people, that it is in process of making for the enrichment of the lives of all of us."
Indeed, a trip to any of our treasured national parks will enrich your life, just as the president said. But, just because this is the great outdoors doesn’t mean you need to rough it. Here are just a few of our favorite hotels and outfitters that are offering unparalleled experiences in our country's most stunning parks.
Pam Voth/Courtesy Triple Creek Ranch
See Glacier National Park With Triple Creek Ranch
Triple Creek Ranch is already an outdoor lover’s dream. The gorgeous resort is located on an equally stunning plot of land in Montana, encompassing thousands of acres of space. But, for those who want more, the resort is happy to help with its Glacier National Park experience. It will fly guests in a private plane from the Hamilton airport, over the Bitterroot, Mission and Swan mountain ranges, as it makes its way to Glacier National Park. Upon landing, guests will be met with a rental car they may drive through the park, or have their pilot drive for them. When ready, guests can return to their plane and head back to the resort for a gourmet dinner.
Full-day tour from $1,695 for 1-3 guests; 5551 W Fork Rd, Darby, MT; (406) 821-4600
Courtesy Tenaya Lodge
Check out Yosemite National Park With Tenaya Lodge
Tenaya Lodge, a family resort, is ideally located at Yosemite National Park’s south entrance, making it a premier destination for those looking to spend time in nature. The property offers several park excursions including an open-air bus tour in one of its four Mercedes Sprinter Vans with retractable roofs, which comes with guided excursions in the Yosemite Valley. And at night, the resort offers a flashlight hike through the forest to get a completely different view of the world. Both tours are offered year-round.
Pricing available at booking; 1122 Highway 41, PO Box 159 Fish Camp, CA; (888) 514-2167
Jeff R Clow/Getty Images
See Several Parks in One Epic Vacation With Trafalgar’s
Forget one park. With Trafalgar’s seven-day Best of The Canyonlands itinerary, guests can see three national parks, and so much more. On the guided tour, guests begin in Denver before moving on to stops in the alpine village of Vail, Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Moab, see the cliff dwellings in the UNESCO-listed Mesa Verde National Park, Monument Valley, and Grand Canyon National Park. And, it’s all rounded out with a crazy night in Las Vegas. To up the ante, guests on the tour also have the option to book a private helicopter or plane ride over the Grand Canyon for an unrivaled view of one of the world’s most beautiful places.
Tours starting at $1,850 per person
Tony Barber/Getty Images
Hike the Great Smoky Mountains National Park With The Swag
The Swag, an all-inclusive resort in North Carolina, happens to share a one-mile border with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, giving guests the ultimate access to the beautiful region At the resort, guests can take part in weekly special events with Great Smoky Mountain experts. Leaders will guide guides on hikes from the hotel into the park and answer any questions on the plants and animals along the way.
Rooms starting at $520 and includes most tours; 2300 Swag Road Waynesville, NC; (828) 926-0430
Jordan Siemens/Getty Images
Visit Olympic National Park With Domaine Madeleine
Though small, the Domaine Madeleine Bed and Breakfast packs a punch when it comes to luxury. The AAA Diamond-rated hotel located in Port Angeles, Washington focuses its attention on ensuring guests can maximize their time in nature. The property meticulously maintains its natural gardens that guests are more than welcome to explore and also offers a variety of guided tours throughout the nearby Olympic National Park. Those options include guided hikes, horseback riding, and even rock climbing with Olympic Climbing.
Take a Guided Tour of the Only Rainforest in the United States With Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve hotel and American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts property, is not only one of the most beautiful hotels in Puerto Rico, but it also happens to offer some of the coolest off-property experiences on the island as well. Once guests (somehow) grow tired of sitting on the property’s private beach, they can hop on a tour to the El Yunque National Rainforest, the only tropical rain forest in the national forest system. Guests can hike and even take a dip in the La Mina Falls to cool off.
Pricing available upon request; 100 Dorado Beach Drive, Dorado, Puerto Rico, 1 787-626-1100
Courtesy Autocamp
Create Your Own National Park Adventure With AutoCamp’s Luxury Tents and Airstreams
AutoCamp, a luxury camping company operating in several locations in the American west, happens to have its largest location right outside of Yosemite National Park. AutoCamp partnered with REI to offer varying levels of guided hike experiences in the park for all of its guests. Each hike includes all the snacks and gear guests would ever need to, including snowshoes or snow grips in the winter. Afterward, guests can head back to their customized mid-century modern Airstream or luxury tents to feel like they are roughing it without actually, you know, roughing it.
Tents starting at $159/night and Airstreams at $209, guided hikes not included; (888) 405-7553
