The 12 Best Airbnbs Near National Parks

Though it’s been said many times before, it bears repeating again: America’s national parks are our country’s greatest resource. The 63 national parks of the United States offer a vast array of ecosystems and landscapes, from deserts to mountains to plains and everything in between. They’re packed with areas to explore and things to do, and their beauty truly has to be seen in person to be appreciated. But planning a trip to a national park can be a hassle; especially when it comes to trying to find a nice place to stay. That’s why we’ve rounded up the 12 best Airbnbs near national parks, so you can focus on planning your time in the park without spending all your time looking for lodging.

Our list of the best Airbnbs near national parks features a collection of properties that are located within a stone’s throw of 12 of the most popular national parks in the country. When making our picks, we looked for properties with interesting designs, attractive amenities, and most importantly, convenient proximity to the park entrances. Some properties are closer to their parks than others, but that’s just a casualty of the lodging rules of different parks. So start packing up your outdoor gear and researching hiking trails, because here are 12 great Airbnbs near national parks that you should consider booking.

Great Smoky Mountains

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is America’s most-visited national park by a country mile, but you wouldn’t know it if you stayed at this cabin. Totally secluded with no visible neighbors (a 4×4 is recommended but not required to access the property), this studio cabin is perfect for getting back to nature. You’ll find a fireplace inside for when it gets chilly, but you’ll likely spend most of your stay outdoors, taking in the mountain and forest views from the hot tub on the expansive wraparound deck.

Purchase: $136+

Hawai’i Volcanoes

Let’s say you don’t just want to be close to nature, but want to immerse yourself in it. Then this unique stay is for you. Located just outside the park entrance on the slopes of Kilauea volcano, this all-glass studio will make you feel like you’re sleeping in the middle of a tropical rainforest — because you will be. There’s not much in the way of amenities — there’s no kitchen, AC, or drinkable running water — but the immersive setting and park proximity more than make up for it.

Purchase: $159+

Grand Canyon

This yurt is located about 40 minutes away from the South Rim entrance, which is about as good as it gets when it comes to Grand Canyon lodging. The unique stay offers a “glamping” experience in a stylish yurt that’s packed with surprising amenities. Despite being completely isolated in the desert, the yurt offers a compost toilet, a hot outdoor shower, a nicely-equipped kitchenette, solar power, a propane heater, and a full-size memory foam mattress with two additional folding mattresses. Not bad for “roughing it.”

Purchase: $172+

Hot Springs

As one of the most urban of the national parks, it can be difficult to feel close to nature when staying near Hot Springs, but this “treehouse” manages to pull it off as it’s secluded in the woods just minutes away from the park with no visible neighbors. The upper-level deck offers beautiful woodland views and is equipped with a hot tub and gas grill, while the interior of the house is outfitted with luxe furniture and gorgeous wood detailing, some of which was reclaimed from an old schoolhouse.

Purchase: $185+

Glacier

Nothing says “national park stay” like a log cabin, but they can sometimes get a little boring after a while. Enter this unique adobe-style home. Remodeled with original and recycled materials, the home has a brick interior and is filled with quirky additions like an adobe-style fireplace and clawfoot tub. The outdoor space is great, too, with a spacious deck and a fire pit in the backyard for the warmer months. And the best park? The home is located just across the street from the West entrance to the park.

Purchase: $307+

Joshua Tree

Located just 2-3 hours outside of L.A., Joshua Tree is arguably the most eccentric of the national parks. So what better way to spend your time there than in an Instagram-ready, ultra-luxe, retro-modded Airstream? This trailer — which Airbnb has promoted as one of their top camping stays in the world — is packed to the brim with amenities like a Jacuzzi, BBQ, shaded deck, cowboy tub, and fire pit. It’s located in the High Desert just outside the park, but given all there is to do at the trailer, you may end up skipping the park altogether.

Purchase: $322+

Olympic

Some national parks let you stay just outside their gates, while others force you to keep a healthy distance away. Olympic actually lets you stay inside the park itself, which is where this waterfront retreat is located. Right on the shore of Lake Crescent in the heart of the park, this home is an ideal summer escape. With two private docks and direct access to the water, you can enjoy the best the park has to offer at your whim. Go swimming, fishing, or kayaking (kayaks are provided), and then head inside to warm yourself by the fire when you’re finished.

Purchase: $325+

Rocky Mountain

This place is known as “The View House,” which pretty much tells you all you need to know. Oversized picture windows are found throughout almost every room in the house, providing unparalleled views of the majestic Rocky Mountains that surround the property. A wraparound porch offers even more views when you step outside, but if you ever get tired of all the natural beauty (you won’t), you can relax with luxurious amenities indoors, like Tempurpedic Mattresses and Smart TVs. The house is located in Estes Park, a town surrounded on all sides by the Rockies.

Purchase: $342+

Zion

The words “modern” and “stylish” may not come to mind when thinking of Utah, but this loft might just change your perception of the Beehive State. Located a short three-minute walk from the park entrance, this ultra-hip space (there’s a boutique coffee shop on the lower level) looks like it would be more at home in Williamsburg, Brooklyn than Zion. But the juxtaposition works, with the clean modern lines and trendy furniture clashing wonderfully with the rugged natural landscape just outside your door. And speaking of that landscape, you’re treated to some mighty impressive views of Zion’s rock formations through the loft’s expansive windows.

Purchase: $379+

Yosemite

Like Olympic National Park, Yosemite is another park that lets you stay inside its borders. And that’s a good thing, as staying at certain properties — like this one — allows you to forgo the daily ticket fee that applies to the popular park during the summer season. That’s a nice bonus, but what’s really special about this cabin is its design. A stunning A-frame chalet with windows that go all the way up the roofline, the views offered from the master suite loft are pretty incredible. The outdoor space is great, too, with a large deck featuring a grill and an eating area.

Purchase: $450+

Yellowstone

This massive chalet looks like it belongs to a celebrity. Lavishly appointed, you’ll feel like you’re staying at a five-star ski resort with radiant-heated hardwood floors, a creek-side sauna and hot tub, Westin Heavenly beds, designer furniture, and multiple stone fireplaces. Located on the banks of Soda Butte Creek just a few miles from Yellowstone, this 3,000 sq. ft. home features magnificent views of Mount Republic through its floor-to-ceiling windows. The property also features ski-in/ski-out convenience, allowing you to hit the slopes in record time.

Purchase: $579+

Acadia

A rare property located within the borders of Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, this waterfront home offers practically all the joy of the park without having to leave the grounds. Private beach access, an outdoor fire pit, a picnic area, a hammock, and a 700 sq. ft. wraparound deck are all at your fingertips; as are the bikes, kayaks, and canoe that come with the listing. But since you can’t spend all your time outdoors, the interior of the property is also a great place to hang out with glass walls, stylish furniture, and a bright red Malm-style fireplace.

Purchase: $629+

The 12 Best Camping Slippers For Men

After you nail down a home base for your national park adventure, you’re going to have to pack for your trip. And one item you’ll definitely want to bring around is a cozy pair of outdoor-ready camping slippers to wear around your nature-adjacent digs. We’ve rounded up a dozen of them in our guide to the best camping slippers, so have a look and cross one more thing off your packing list.