8 Glamping Sites to Upgrade Your Next National Park Visit
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Our national parks are often credited as “America’s best idea,” and visiting them is a rite of passage for any nature lover. But, sometimes, even the most avid outdoorsperson might want to sleep under the stars or beside a roaring campfire—without having to actually sleep on the cold, hard ground.
For when you want that outdoors experience without having to skimp on creature comforts, the country’s best glamping sites are our answer. Below, we’ve rounded up our favorite glamping sites near national parks, from the new Under Canvas camp in Maine's Acadia National Park to the luxe tents at Paws Up in Montana. With everything from high-thread count sheets to prepared daily meals, these glamping sites are as plush as the outdoors gets. Who says camping has to mean roughing it?
All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Courtesy Glamping HubMajestic Utah Yurts
Near: Zion National Park, Utah
Located 20 minutes from Zion National Park’s east entrance, this series of luxury yurts sits cliffside, with views of tabletop mesas and amber bluffs covered in pinyon pines. Each site has its own private patio and fire pit for nights spent stargazing, plus access to a communal pool and hot tub. Inside, visitors will find simple, yet refined decor—plush king-sized beds, portraits of local wildlife, kitchenettes for making breakfast in the morning, and wood-paneled bathrooms stocked with soft towels and organic bath products.
Book now: $398 per night, glampinghub.com
Courtesy Under CanvasUnder Canvas Acadia
Near: Acadia National Park, Maine
Explore the rugged Atlantic coastline at Under Canvas’s new Acadia National Park location, its first waterfront locale, set to open May 13, 2021. The company, which also has luxury campsites at the Grand Canyon and Glacier National Park, among others, excels at designing choice safari tents complete with above-bed star viewing windows, wood burning stoves, private decks, cozy lounge areas with leather sofas, and rainfall showers. Each site is equipped with organic bath products and a guest experience coordinator, should you need help with hiking suggestions, crave a toasted s’more, or want to dive into the campground’s yoga classes or live acoustic music.
Book now: From $329, expedia.com
Courtesy High Sierra CampsHigh Sierra Camps
Near: Yosemite National Park, California
One of the most coveted experiences in fabled Yosemite National Park is scoring a stay at the six High Sierra Camps that encircle Tioga Road, in the northern section of the park. This is communal backcountry glamping for the avid hiker who only wants to carry their clothes, trail mix, and a water bottle, with each camp a seven- to 9.5-mile hike away from the last. Stay a single night, or stick around for a week and trek between all six. They’re nestled in the very best of Yosemite’s high country, with roaring waterfalls, pristine alpine lakes, and craggy peaks taking center stage. The friendly staff at each location also serves up nourishing meals like French toast, eggs, salad, and even wild Alaskan salmon. As a heads up, this glamping experience is not being offered during the 2021 season due to COVID, but this is a stay you need to plan ahead for anyway—the lottery for 2022 spots will be open from October 1–31, 2021.
Book now: From $160 per night for adults, from $80 per night for kids, travelyosemite.com
Courtesy AirbnbMahal Yurt
Near: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Grab five of your friends or family members, and set off for the Mahal Yurt, a 700-square-foot canvas cabin with granola vibes. This solar-powered off-grid space is ideal for a group Grand Canyon getaway, with three full-sized beds, an outdoor hot shower, a small kitchen equipped with essentials like a French press, and a private bathroom. After a day of hiking in the park, gaze up at the full glory of the Milky Way, with no cities around for miles.
Book now: $270 per night, airbnb.com
Courtesy Capitol Reef ResortCapitol Reef Resort Wagons
Near: Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Based on 19th-century designs, these Conestoga wagons are far more comfortable than the cowboy-toting carts they draw inspiration from. Each wagons sleeps up to six (in a king and two bunk beds adorned with cushy southwestern threads) and is surrounded by crumbling red rock cliffs—the scenery that makes Capitol Reef so memorable—plus access to a fire pit and private bathroom. To top it all off, glampers here get access to the 100-room resort’s many amenities, like a heated pool, outdoor hot tub, and the Pioneer Kitchen Restaurant.
Book now: From $295 per night, expedia.com
Courtesy The RidgeThe Ridge Outdoor Resort
Near: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
Folks at The Ridge have outfitted their glamping tents with smart amenities that make this experience a far cry from “roughing it.” These large canvas tents are equipped with plush, woodsy touches, like open air kitchens and lantern-lined decks for sunset watching with the family. Tucked away in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, a 25-minute drive from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the campground’s lux tents sleep four to six and, of course, have access to the full list of resort amenities, including a pool, playground, and fitness center.
Courtesy Dunton River CampDunton River Camp
Near: Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado
Situated on a former 1800's-era cattle ranch on the west fork of the Dolores River, Dunton River Camp is a dream for alpine lovers hoping to spend time in the San Juan Mountains. Full of quirky Southwestern design, these safari tents each include a king-sized bed, a shower with soaking tubs, two mountain bikes, Wi-Fi, and a small sitting area, plus access to the community sauna and cedar hot tub. Meals prepared by chef Brian Wallace for breakfast, lunch, and dinner are complimentary with every stay, and the grounds are a short drive to some of Colorado’s best offerings—Telluride, Mesa Verde, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
Book now: $1,800 per night with meals, expedia.com
Courtesy The Resort at Paws UpThe Resort at Paws Up
Near: Glacier National Park, Montana
Experience what locals call “The Last Best Place,” on this sprawling, 37,000-acre working cattle ranch in western Montana. Though The Resort at Paws Up has more traditional rooms and a range of cabins, the resort's glamping experience is worth the trip to Big Sky Country alone. Their safari-style canvas tents are decked out with wild-west inspired custom decor (think a vintage barrel pedestal sink and rustic wooden deck chairs), ensuite bathroom with heated floors, and a camping butler to cater to your every whim. Indulge in locally sourced breakfasts, lunches, and dinners from executive chef Sunny Jin (included in the nightly rate), then treat yourself to one of their world-class spa treatments, with a live soundtrack of songbirds and the nearby babbling brook.
Book now: From $1,560 per night, pawsup.com
