7 Airbnbs That Sit Directly Inside America’s Breathtaking National ParksYou can’t get much more convenient—or scenic—than these stays.Getty/Courtesy of AirbnbWhen you’re planning a national park trip, there are plenty of moving parts: what hikes to do, what to pack, where to stop, and how to squeeze the most out of your time. So why not make where you stay the easiest (and most scenic) part? The right home base can change the whole essence of a US national park trip, trading an early-morning, hours-long drive for coffee with a mountain view, access to a trail practically outside your door, and more time in the wild. A stay directly inside the park means skipping the morning entrance line and avoiding long pre- and post-hike drives.There’s something wonderfully immersive about waking up inside a national park. Imagine stepping outside to your patio as mist lifts off the peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains, watching ripples cross a glassy pond in Glacier, or opening the door of a Yosemite cabin to views framed by towering pines. From Rocky Mountain’s rugged peaks to Acadia’s rocky coastline, these bucket-list-worthy Airbnbs make the parks feel more attainable—and have some of the most jaw-dropping views of them all.Read on for the best Airbnbs inside a national park to plan your next adventure around. Just keep in mind that permitted short-term rentals are rare within park boundaries, so availability can be competitive. If you see dates that work, book them as far in advance as possible.We've vetted these listings based on Superhost and Guest Favorite status, ratings, amenities, location, previous guest reviews, and decor.Architect-designed cabin inside Yosemite National ParkNumber of guests: 7Bed and bath: 3 bedrooms, 3 bathsWhy we love it: Floor-to-ceiling windows, wraparound deck, outdoor shower, wood-burning fireplace, two-car drivewayYosemite National Park's magic is in its diversity: You can spend a morning wandering Tuolumne Meadows among summer wildflowers and feel entirely different from an afternoon bouldering amidst the valley’s nearby towering cliffs. Due to its vastness, you can spend a whole lot of time simply planning your trip out—there’s a whopping 747,956 acres to see and explore.Bathed in natural light, this picture-perfect three-story mountain home is all about park views. From the expansive wraparound deck to the floor-to-ceiling windows that span most of the house’s corners, Yosemite’s nature never feels too far away here. The base is only a 30-minute drive from the waterfall hikes and trail access in Yosemite West, as well as less than an hour to Yosemite Valley, and just a bit further to Grouse Creek Falls and El Portal. My favorite part? Back at “home,” the main floor also includes a refreshing outdoor shower that allows you to be engulfed in the beauty of your surroundings under the open sky.City: Wawona, CaliforniaThings to do nearby: Wawona Point, Pioneer Yosemite History Center, Chilnualna Falls Trailhead, Mariposa Grove, Gale Peak, Devil’s Peak Trailhead, Grizzly GiantFind more places to stay near Yosemite National Park here.Boathouse near Lake McDonald in Glacier National ParkNumber of guests: 4Bed and bath: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathWhy we love it: Direct trail access, no gate waits, private beach and dockIf you’re visiting Montana’s sweet and serene Glacier National Park, you’re sure to find craggy peaks clawing at the sky, turquoise alpine lakes shimmering like something out of a dream, and Going-to-the-Sun Road winding through it all. For an otherworldly trip that never ends, this home sits in a quiet location surrounded by a dreamy old cedar forest and just steps away from Lake McDonald’s pristine glacier lake. You’ll have your own private lakeshore access, as well as a dock from which you can take a dip in the water (when the season allows for it).Enjoy views of the turquoise water from your raised patio and listen to birdsong and rustling trees as you walk down the wooden steps to the shoreline. Inside, you’ll find a simple, rustic log cabin design. There’s a nicely sized primary bedroom with a king bed as well as a loft bedroom with two twins, best for families or groups comfortable flipping a coin for the bigger space.City: West Glacier, MontanaThings to do nearby: Lake McDonald, Fish Creek Campground, Belton Hills, Apgar Fire LookoutFind more places to stay near Glacier National Park here.Nordic-inspired getaway in Great Smoky Mountains National ParkNumber of guests: 4Bed and bath: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathsWhy we love it: Unique cabin design, covered deck, hot tub, firepit, barbecue grill, movie theater, game roomA convenient base in the Great Smoky Mountains with a hot tub and stunning design? Check, check, and check. Frequently named the most visited national park in the US, this region has quite the appeal, and folks travel from all over the country (and the world) to enjoy the natural beauty of this part of North Carolina and Tennessee. Lucky for those who book here, the park’s stunning waterfall hikes, varied trails, and scenic road-trip stops are less than a 20-minute drive away.After a day of exploring, this rental is for relaxation: hang out in the movie theater room on a cozy couch that pulls into a sofa bed, play some foosball, and stargaze from your hot tub. A unique plus? The stay includes grocery delivery right to your door so that you’ll have more time out exploring.City: Gatlinburg, TennesseeThings to do nearby: Ober Mountain, downtown Gatlinburg, Laurel Falls, Mount Le Conte, Husky Branch Falls, Carlos C. Campbell OverlookFind more places to stay near Great Smoky Mountains National Park here.Home with waterfront access in Acadia National ParkNumber of guests: 10Bed and bath: 5 bedrooms, 4 bathsWhy we love it: Floor-to-ceiling windows, waterfront access, mountain views, fully-equipped kitchen, indoor fireplace, patio spaceThere are countless reasons to visit Acadia National Park, including its rose-colored granite peaks, sheltered coves, rain-fed lakes, fresh seafood feasts, and summits overlooking the Gulf of Maine. To experience it up close and personal, look no further than this five-bedroom home on Mount Desert. Primed for group trips, you can swim right off the granite shoreline and kayak on Somes Sound, a natural fjord, from your front door. The home is just a 15-minute drive to some of the park’s most enticing peaks: Sargent, Penobscot, and Bubble Rock. Back inside, cook up a dinner in the sleek kitchen that features floor-to-ceiling windows facing the water and surrounding mountains, then cozy up around the fireplace and talk about the day’s adventures.Do note: In the shoulder season, the property reduces its maximum allowable number of guests, so no more than six guests are allowed at a time from September through October and onward (with dates depending on the weather). So confirm with the hosts before booking; if your group size is more than six guests, there’s a $195 charge per guest per night.City: Mount Desert, MaineThings to do nearby: Giant Slide Trailhead, Mount Desert Island Historical Society, Suminsby Park, Sargent Peak, Penobscot PeakFind more places to stay near Acadia National Park here.Hiker’s cabin adjoining Olympic National ParkNumber of guests: 2Bed and bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bathWhy we love it: Outdoor soaking tub, patio, private barbecue area, trail access, wildlife spotting, Wi-FiThere’s a big chance that the trip of your Pacific Northwest dreams might be one set in Olympic, thanks to its relentless windswept coastline, iconic bubbling hot springs, and lush and mossy old-growth forest. For ultimate access to it all, stay at this hiker’s cabin, located directly next to some of the park’s most scenic trails. Whether traveling solo or in a duo, take advantage of the comfy king bed, couch, and quaint kitchen—but not before hitting the outdoor bathtub on the secluded private deck nestled alongside towering cedars and fir.It’s sublime being in one of the region’s quietest and most rural areas alongside hobby farms and forest—and guests are welcome to walk anywhere on the 30 acres the cabin resides on, or to simply take a sunset stroll around the 11-acre plant-filled meadow. (According to the host, take the West Elwha trailhead if you want the most direct and prime national park access.) Alongside it all, there’s a chance you might spot a herd of elk, families of deer, and what the hosts call their friend: a great blue heron.City: Port Angeles, WashingtonThings to do nearby: West Elwha Trailhead (and Elwha River), Madison Creek Falls, Cascade Rock TrailheadFind more places to stay in and around Olympic National Park here.Rustic stay inside Rocky Mountains National ParkNumber of guests: 4Bed and bath: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathWhy we love it: Mountain views, wildlife spotting, trailhead access, timed entry secured with reservation, fully equipped kitchenWithin this iconic Colorado park’s 415 square miles, pristine lakes rest below jagged mountain skylines, cascades tumble through wildflower-dotted meadows, and wildlife—like moose, elk, bighorn sheep, and golden eagles—thrives in the rugged wilderness. Just off Bear Lake Road on the edge of Moraine Park, guests will find this cozy Rocky Mountain gem. For those looking to hike and spot animals, this location is practically unbeatable, with trails just outside your front door as well as wildlife spotting from as close as the living room window.Previous guests rave about how safe and secluded it is, and have booked for everything from family milestones to fun-filled getaways with kids. Do note that a park pass is still required when staying here, but a timed entry pass is included with the host’s reservation confirmation (so make sure you have that printed out and ready when you arrive; you must have an ID that matches the Airbnb’s confirmation email).City: Estes Park, ColoradoThings to do nearby: Moraine Park, Cub Lake Trailhead, Tuxedo Park Picnic Area, Jackson’s Stables, Hollowell ParkFind more places to stay in and around Rocky Mountain National Park here.Desert villa in Zion National ParkNumber of guests: 12Bed and bath: 5 bedrooms, 2 bathsWhy we love it: Desert views, private hot tub, spacious, firepit, outdoor dining area, indoor fireplaceThere’s nothing quite like Zion National Park—frequented by nature lovers seeking awe-inspiring crimson cliffs and those looking to trek through narrow ravines. It’s a common bucket-list destination for good reason—and if you’re planning to tick this bad boy off your own list with a group, consider this Airbnb the stay of your dreams. The secluded estate sits on 10 acres of land nestled between Zion’s stunning red rock formations; it's easily accessible to the park's caves, rushing rivers and creeks, world-famous trails and ridgelines, scenic overlooks, and canyoneering adventures.Three outdoor patios boast lots of space with hammocks, picnic tables, and a firepit. There are even areas to play sports: a basketball hoop, volleyball court area, and tetherball space are all on-site. Decompress in the hot tub, but make sure to look up at the star-studded skies. The sprawling villa can host up to 12 guests across five bedrooms.City: Virgin, UtahThings to do nearby: Tabernacle Dome, Lambs Knoll, Virgin River, North Fork Creek, South Guardian Angel, Left Fork TrailheadFind more places to stay in and around Zion National Park here.Jessica Chapel is a Commerce Writer at Condé Nast Traveler, where she covers travel booking and retail content. Previous to this role, she was Traveler's Editorial Assistant and has been working with the brand for over three years. Her passions inspire her published works, where she writes of indulgent travel ... 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These 7 Stunning Airbnbs Sit Directly Inside of US National Parks
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