The pandemic-sparked infatuation with the spectacular wilderness areas in our own backyard shows no signs of slowing. Last year, 44 parks set records for recreation visits, according to the National Parks Service. The fact that DIY camping is far from the option for overnight adventures has certainly helped entice a discerning new audience to the outdoors. There have never been more choices for amenity-rich stays near some of America’s top parks, reserves and monuments. If you prefer to end days on the trail with a hot shower, a chef-cooked meal and maybe even a movie screening, these new lodges, camps and resorts are for you.
Maswik Lodge South, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
In geologic terms, 50 years is a short period of time. So perhaps it’s not that shocking that one of the world’s geologic marvels, which took centuries to sculpt, has taken five decades to debut a new lodging option. The $35 million reconstruction of Maswik Lodge South, located a 10-minute walk from the park’s South Rim in Grand Canyon Village, debuted in May with 120 rooms (all with patios, 30 with kitchenettes) decorated in Southwest hues of sage and ocher, Native American-inspired textiles and artwork showcasing area fossils. Spread across four newly constructed buildings, the units have easy access to the food court and casual Pizza Pub at sister property Maswik Lodge. From $229; grandcanyonlodges.com
Essential park activity: Mules have been carrying visitors into the Grand Canyon since the 1800s. Take a scenic two-hour ride along the rim or if you’re more adventurous, book an overnight ride deep into the canyon, staying overnight at Phantom Ranch. From $155; reservations 303-297-2757.
Since opening its first camp in West Yellowstone in 2012, Under Canvas has become the go-to glamping outfit of America’s favorite national parks and monuments, with 10 locations across seven states. The company’s Tennessee outpost near Great Smoky Mountains — 2021’s most visited national park — is set on 182 acres just beyond the park entrance and 10 minutes from the gateway town of Gatlinburg. Each of the 40 tents has been outfit with West Elm furnishings, wood-fired stoves and resort-worthy bathrooms (yes, with flush toilets, hot water and showers). After a day of adventuring, guests can return to steak burgers, charcuterie boards, craft beers and s’mores around the communal fire pits. From $199; undercanvas.com
Essential activity: If hiking hasn’t satiated your adrenaline fix, try a whitewater rafting trip on the Upper Pigeon River. Geared to experienced paddlers, the “extreme” itinerary pushes the limits on a 33-mile stretch of water, hitting big waves in a raft that seats four. $115.50 per person
Dawn Ranch, Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, California
Why fight the crowds of Redwood National and State Parks when you can admire the world’s tallest living tree in a more intimate, less congested setting? Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve in Sonoma County protects 805 acres of mighty coast redwoods (or Sequoia sempervirens), which can tower above 350 feet and survive to over 2,000 years. And after a three-year hiatus, historic Dawn Ranch in the nearby town of Guerneville has reopened, giving visitors a boutique adventure base. Reimagined by the team behind New York’s trendy Marram Montauk resort, the 15-acre, riverfront property feels like its own nature reserve, with 53 cabins surrounded by open meadows, gardens, apple trees and wooded nature trails. Live music, outdoor fire pits, morning yoga classes and complimentary breakfast delivered to your cabin door are just a few of the perks.
Dawn Ranch, Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, California
Dawn Ranch, Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, California
Essential activity: Borrow one of Dawn Ranch’s stylish Retrospec Cruiser bicycles and pedal 10 minutes to Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. Entry for cyclists is free and you can explore on two wheels or park and tackle the 9.2 miles of hiking trails on foot. From $250; dawnranch.com
Willow House, Big Bend National Park
When California native Lauren Werner came to Texas seven years ago, she fell hard for the breathtaking desert and mountain landscapes of Big Bend National Park. She also marveled that there wasn’t a cool place to stay in Terlingua, the remote, unincorporated town that serves as the park’s main gateway. In 2019, she debuted Willow House, a thoughtfully curated boutique stay set on 287 acres of former ranchland about 6 miles from the park. Each of the 13 concrete casitas has a perfectly framed view of the Chisos Mountain Range that guests can ogle from bed or their private patio. The two-bedroom Proprietor’s Casita, the newest and largest, debuted this summer with a full kitchen and large outdoor patio and courtyard. Willow House doesn’t allow kids or pets, but Werner recently opened an everyone welcome sister property across town, the Study Butte Roadhouse Rentals (airbnb.com), and will soon be adding a wine shop on-site. From $335; willowhouse.co
Essential activity: Take in one of the park’s star attractions, dramatic Santa Elena Canyon, on a 20-mile downstream raft trip with Terlingua-based outfitter Desert Sports. Day trip $225 per person for two people; desertsportstx.com
Yonder Escalante, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument has some of the most scenic hikes in Utah and fewer crowds than the state’s Big 5 national parks. Another bragging right: It’s now home to the area’s most Instagrammable accommodations. Yonder Escalante, a 20-acre glamping retreat within the national monument and close to Bryce Canyon National Park, offers guests a choice of glass-fronted modern cabins, vintage Airstreams renovated with midcentury furnishings, or you can bring your own RV. On-site laundry facilities, a spa-like bathhouse with hot showers and a general store stocked with all your adventure needs (sunblock, beer) make it a convenient option for longer stays. Utah’s starry skies are typically the area’s most exciting nightlife, but Yonder’s drive-in movie theater poses some competition, with screenings seven days a week. Restored classic cars double as seating, popcorn is free and a concession stand sells hot dogs, Milk Duds and other nostalgic movie treats. RVs from, $ 12 9; cabins from $169; Airstreams from $ 209 ; stayyonder.com
Essential activity: Hike through the swirling sculpted sandstone of Buckskin Gulch, the world’s longest slot canyon, with experienced guides. $220; seekingtreasureadventures.com
Yonder Escalante, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah
Yonder Escalante, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah
Yonder Escalante, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah
Salt Cottages, Acadia National Park, Maine
Opened in July on Mount Desert Island in Bar Harbor, Salt Cottages puts a modern twist on New England’s traditional coastal Maine vacation getaway. Amenities like a pool with ocean views, two hot tubs, a vintage game shed filled with bocce and badminton sets, and a snack bar with an ice cream window tempt guests to lounge the day away. But with the Hull’s Cove entrance to Acadia National Park just a five-minute drive away, you can effortlessly pop in to hike and still have plenty of time for R&R. Americana-inspired accommodations include 30 light-filled cottages decorated with rattan and bamboo furnishings and nautical antique art and 10 stylish motor lodge rooms with beachy décor. Hotel rooms are scheduled to open in 2023. From $399; saltcottagesbarharbor.com
Salt Cottages, Acadia National Park, Maine
Essential activity: Explore the waters around Mount Desert Island by kayak (solo or tandem). A guided sunset paddle with Bar Harbor-based Coastal Kayaking Tours offers plenty of photo ops, from brilliant fall colors to curious harbor seals. $59 for a 2.5-hour tour; acadiafun.com
Jen Murphy is a freelance writer.