Fall in love with these 10 romantic hotels near national parks
Open Sky offers peace and quiet for a romantic getaway near Zion National Park — Photo courtesy of Open Sky Zion
As a huge fan of national parks and monuments, I love staying at romantic properties offering luxurious accommodations and easy access to the great outdoors. There’s something special about immersing yourself in nature without sacrificing all the comforts of modern life.
These are our all-time favorite romantic hotels near national parks. Perhaps you’ve already visited one! If not, it’s a great time to put one of these on your bucket list.
Yellowstone National Park
Montage Big Sky offers luxurious rooms and is less than an hour away from Yellowstone National Park — Photo courtesy of Montage Big Sky
There are many reasons to love Montage Big Sky, one of my favorite romantic hotels near Yellowstone National Park. Less than an hour from the park’s west entrance, the resort features rooms, suites, and residences with oversized windows, cozy sitting areas with fireplaces, and marble soaking tubs. Settle into your comfy living space as you sip your morning coffee or watch the sunset from your window.
Spa offerings include the 60-minute Couples Journey, where expert attendants customize the treatment to you and your partner’s specific needs. During the day, you can do yoga on the lawn, dine at Cortina, the intimate Northern Italian restaurant, in the evening, and then head to Alpenglow for some live music.
Montage Big Sky is a fab new romantic hotel near Yellowstone National Park — Photo courtesy of Montage Big Sky
The iconic Old Faithful, geyser basins, and the Norris Geyser Basin Museum are easy to access from the park’s west entrance. Because this 14-mile road is popular, head out early to avoid crowds. Spring, summer, and fall are excellent times to visit Yellowstone National Park; however, spring and fall are ideal if you prefer less traffic and crowds.
Olympic National Park
Alderbrook Resort and Spa offers a romantic getaway right on the Hood Canal — Photo courtesy of Alderbrook Resort and Spa
Alderbrook Resort and Spa is located on the picturesque Hood Canal, making for a fantastic romantic getaway in the Pacific Northwest. Comfortable rooms and private cottages offer couples ample space to unwind. Make reservations for a couple’s massage at the spa, then settle into a cozy evening at The Restaurant at Alderbrook.
About 40 miles away, Olympic National Park features diverse habitats, including rainforests, snow-tipped mountains, and over 73 miles of undeveloped shores. At over 922,651 acres, most of the park is designated wilderness, so it’s one of the largest wilderness spaces in the country. Spring and summer are ideal times to visit Olympic National Park. You’ll likely encounter rain and unpredictable weather in the fall and winter.
Grand Teton National Park
The Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole is minutes from Grand Teton National Park — Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole
Planning a romantic getaway to the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole at Teton Village in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is easy. One of the choice hotels near Grand Teton National Park, the resort features luxurious accommodations, gorgeous slope-side views, and many opportunities to connect with your significant other. Be sure to embark on a stargazing journey with your private guide in a luxury SUV.
Less than 10 minutes away, Grand Teton National Park covers 310,000 acres, offering visitors vast terrain and abundant wildlife to explore. The park is home to grizzly and black bears, moose, bald eagles, and elk. If you’re lucky, you might even spot the rare great gray owl, the largest owl in North America. During our visit, we were able to spot one perched on the top of a tree as a small crowd gathered to take photos.
The best time to visit Grand Teton National Park is from late May through September, with July and August being the busiest. I recommend heading there in early June to avoid crowds and experience the resort in full swing.
Bryce Canyon National Park
The Hoodoo Suite at Under Canvas Bryce Canyon offers space and privacy — Photo courtesy of Bailey Made
Nothing says a romantic getaway like a luxurious glamping weekend. Less than 20 minutes from Bryce Canyon National Park, the Under Canvas over-the-top safari glamping tents rest on elevated decks and feature luxurious bedding, sitting areas, and private bathrooms. Wake up to the aroma of crisp juniper as you gaze across the mountainous landscape and enjoy your first cup of coffee. The camp offers on-site dining, movie nights, yoga, live music, and more.
Bryce Canyon offers the most extensive collection of hoodoos in the world. As you and your sweetheart wander through this geological wonder, you’ll witness swirls of red and pink rocks, towering columns, arches, and fluted cliffs. It’s one of my favorite parks to visit, and no matter how many pictures I take, they never capture the true beauty.
Zion National Park
Open Sky takes romantic glamping to a new level near Zion National Park — Photo courtesy of Open Sky Zion
For another extraordinary glamping experience, head to Open Sky in Virgin, Utah, a USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards winner for Best Glamping Spot. Although this luxe property is only 30 minutes from the entrance of Zion National Park, it’s so remote it seems as though it might as well be on the moon.
Surrounded by sandstone mountains and dirt paths, Open Sky offers 13 luxury tents with spacious living areas and private decks. Some tents offer outdoor showers and elegant copper tubs. We spent our time in the elegant Star Seeker Luxury Camp, which provides a large king-size bed, a sleeping loft, a spacious seating area, and a dining nook. Book a relaxing couples massage on your patio overlooking the valley. You’ll emerge renewed and refreshed.
Vote Now: Best Place to Visit for Fall (10Best Readers’ Choice Awards 2024)
The perfect time to visit Zion National Park is spring and fall. If you’re up for it, the Narrows is one of the most popular hikes in the park. This 16-mile journey includes venturing into a gorge at the narrowest canyon section and walking in the Virgin River. Zion’s Pa’rus Trail is pet-friendly and a pleasant flat stroll for those who like to bring their pups on vacation.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Trailborn has complimentary bikes for romantic rides through Rocky Mountain National Park — Photo courtesy of Trailborn / Christian Harder
A choice romantic hotel near Rocky Mountain National Park is actually two: Trailborn has two boutique hotel properties in Estes Park, a mere 13-minute drive to one of the most visited national parks in the country. Between both properties, there are 86 rooms featuring spacious living areas with plush furnishings and cozy sitting nooks.
Take a slow, all-level yoga class with your significant other before exploring Rocky Mountain. Begin at the Beaver Meadows Visitors Center, then go to Deer Mountain Trailhead, a 6.2-mile out-and-back hike offering expansive views. For idyllic weather, June through September is the best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. From October through spring, you’ll likely encounter snow.
Acadia National Park
Romantic getaways include glamping tents that feature outdoor showers and private fire rings — Photo courtesy of Terramoor Outdoor Resort
Terramor Outdoor Resort, located in the quaint town of Bar Harbor, Maine, is one of the best places to stay near Acadia National Park’s wooded mountains, scenic coastlines, and forested trails. The resort has five types of glamping tents, each with unique amenities such as outdoor showers and fire rings for roasting s’mores. Take a romantic stroll on the property, sign up for a bee-keeping class, or rent some bikes to explore.
Head to downtown Bar Harbor, where you’ll find tasty seafood restaurants, boutiques, and many mom-and-pop stores. Acadia National Park offers over 120 miles of hiking trails for outdoor adventuring. Bird watchers will be delighted to know there are over 300 species of birds in the park, including the peregrine falcon, one of the fastest animals in the world. Summer and fall are the most popular times to visit Acadia National Park. For less crowds, go during the winter for plenty of alpine sports.
Big Bend National Park
Chisos Mountains Lodge offers couples a romantic getaway — Photo courtesy of Aramark Destinations
Chisos Mountains Lodge is a charming hotel located inside Big Bend National Park. Nestled against the park’s dramatic mountains, the lodge rooms are quaint with rustic appeal. You can step out your front door to sweeping views, direct trail access, and vast wilderness.
Recognized as the national park with the darkest sky in the U.S., Big Bend National Park offers a range of programs for a fairy-tale evening under the stars. The best times to visit are Big Bend National Park are late fall, winter, and early spring; otherwise, you must contend with the soaring temperatures.
Big Bend National Park sets the stage for a romantic getaway — Photo courtesy of Travel Texas
Terlingua, a quasi ghost town and throwback to the Wild West, is about a 12-minute drive and worth a visit. A former mining town in the early 1900s, you can visit the ruins of St. Agnes Church and then stop at Terlingua Trading Company for some fun souvenirs. Don’t miss live music, cold drinks, and home cooking at Starlight Theatre Restaurant and Saloon. For authentic Tex-Mex, stop by Taqueria El Milagro Terlingua, where you’ll find tacos and quesadillas.
Vote Now: Best Destination for Fall Foliage (10Best Readers’ Choice Awards 2024)
Grand Canyon National Park
The Squire Resort at the Grand Canyon is less than 10 minutes from the South Rim — Photo courtesy of BWH Hotels
The Squire Resort at the Grand Canyon, BW Signature Collection is about a 12-minute drive to the park’s South Rim entrance. To make it a romantic getaway, this upscale hotel near Grand Canyon National Park features indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs for couples to relax and unwind after a day of serious exploring. Rooms are spacious and bright, some featuring jetted tubs, sitting areas, and kitchenettes.
The South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is the hub of activity. The historic Hopi House, built in 1905 to resemble a pueblo, offers Native American crafts, jewelry, and art for sale. The park offers free shuttle buses, so you don’t have to worry about parking. Visit Grand Canyon National Park in the spring and fall for ideal climate and fewer crowds.
Joshua Tree National Park
Airstream trailers and tiny houses offer an off-grid romantic getaway — Photo courtesy of Jean Chen Smith
It might not be a super deluxe romantic hotel, but you can definitely have a cozy weekend at AutoCamp Joshua Tree. After a day exploring Joshua Tree National Park, settle into your Airstream or tiny cabin and purchase a grill and s’mores kit from the general store for a romantic sunset dinner. We loved having our private outdoor sitting area for dining and stargazing.
Joshua Tree is popular among hikers and rock climbers. Known for its rugged terrain and distinct yucca trees, it’s slightly larger than Rhode Island, at 792,623 acres, and has tons of hiking trails and wilderness to explore. My favorite easy hikes include the Skull Rock Trail and Hidden Valley Hike. Both are short, flat loops. For more rigorous hiking, I recommend Ryan Mountain Hike, a nearly 3-mile out-and-back, with an elevation gain of 1,062 feet.
If you can time it right, plan your trip in May or October, when Joshua Tree hosts its epic music festival, which was voted the best music festival in the nation in 2024.
