While many national parks in the U.S. have some accommodation available like campgrounds, cabins, and lodges, you might want to consider renting an Airbnb nearby. You’ll enjoy the best of both worlds with access to the park minus the crowds, and often lots of extra amenities too. From rentals that will put you close to one of Hawaii’s famous active volcanoes to classics like Yellowstone, these are our favorites.
Volcano National Park - Hawaii
Kūono
One of the best vacation rentals on the Big Island, there isn’t much available closer than this to Volcano National Park. Only five minutes to the entrance, the studio space is ideal for a solo traveler, couple, or small family, sleeping up to four. It’s nestled in a forest and features fabulous outdoor living spaces, including a private, furnished lanai with a hot tub. A fire pit steps away turns on at the flip of a switch. Inside, enjoy the view from 14-foot-high floor-to-ceiling windows, a full kitchen, 55″ flat-screen TV with Bose Bluetooth speakers, and a washer/dryer.
Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming
Shooting Star Cabin
Located in Teton Village just outside Grand Teton National Park, this cabin puts world-class skiing right in your backyard while being ideal for a large family or any other group, sleeping up to 12 in four bedrooms. It boasts an entire wall of windows that bring the outdoors in along with high ceilings for an extra spacious feel. You’ll have a well-equipped kitchen and a wood-burning fireplace to cozy up to, along with a soothing hot tub for soaking with a jaw-dropping view.
Denali National Park - Alaska
Sunset House
Those who want to be close to Denali National Park will find themselves right at the edge, perched on a ridge providing gorgeous mountain views from every window when booking this rental. It’s surrounded by forest and abundant wildlife, located in a serene neighborhood filled with charming cottages and cabins. Sleeping up to 10 in four spacious bedrooms, it has a full kitchen and an outdoor grill for cookouts. There is no TV but you can reconnect by playing board games for family-friendly fun, or simply relax with a good book, there’s a wide assortment to be found scattered throughout the house. Outdoor lovers will find plenty of outdoor adventures to enjoy nearby in the national park.
Acadia National Park - Maine
Carriage House Cottage
This tiny cottage is the perfect affordable base for exploring Acadia National Park and it comes with a kitchenette that includes a burner and big pots for boiling up lobster – a must while you’re in this region. You’ll have a complimentary canoe, paddles, lifejackets, and gear for your car to get it to where you want to go too. With large windows and a full-size patio door looking out over ancient apple trees and a small meadow where white-tailed deer and snowshoe hares often roam, you’ll want to spend some time relaxing here as well. Your evenings can be enjoyed beneath a starry sky, gathered around the fire pit with wood supplied.
Rocky Mountain National Park - Colorado
Cabin with 360 Degree Views
Enjoy a tranquil setting in this cabin that sits about midway between downtown Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, close enough to Fall River that you can enjoy its peaceful sounds. From your private patio, enjoy breathtaking views of Deer Mountain while watching for abundant wildlife like elk, deer, big-horn sheep, bobcats, and occasionally bears. It has a full-size hot tub, a gas grill, and furniture for outdoor dining. Inside, you’ll have a kitchen with a dishwasher, a large HDTV that sits over a wood-burning fireplace, and all the other usual comforts of home.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park - North Carolina
Black Bear Lodge
Only a minute from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Black Bear Lodge is a luxury three-bedroom log cabin set atop a mountain. Look forward to impressive views of Deep Creek Valley and enjoy the tranquil sounds of the water flowing below. During the summer, you can go tubing right outside your door. But if you’re here in the fall, the surrounding foliage is magnificent for filling your Instagram feed. It includes many high-end features, like a covered deck with a hot tub, a great room with cathedral ceilings and lots of windows, a flat-screen HDTV with a DVD collection, and a gas log fireplace. Nature lovers will also appreciate the array of scenic hiking trails nearby in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Arches National Park - Utah
Red Rock Teardrop Trailer
If you want to be truly immersed in the outdoors as close to nature as possible without sacrificing comfort by sleeping on the ground, this teardrop trailer may be the perfect solution. It’s small but it has an ultra-comfy bed while keeping you out of the elements along with a great outdoor kitchen with a gas stove, stainless steel counter, hot and cold water sink, wood cabinetry, and all your cooking and cleaning essentials. Here’s the kicker – the trailer is delivered to you. Come to Moab, located near Arches National Park, and choose your first-come-first-serve BLM site, then call the host to deliver.
Mesa Verde National Park - Colorado
Canyon Hideout Bungalow
Located in the Four Corners area of Colorado where the state meets up with Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona near Mesa Verde, this fabulously restored 1950s Airstream provides the ultimate glamping experience. Part of a protected wildlife preserve that lies adjacent to the Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, it’s coolest Airbnbs near Mesa Verde National Park, surrounded by red rock while scenic trails are only steps away. It includes Wi-Fi, a queen-sized pillow-top bed, and kitchenette items like a cooktop stove, microwave, mini-fridge, and coffeemaker. A TV and Blu-ray player with a selection of DVDs makes for fun movie nights too.
Crater Lake National Park - Oregon
Tiny Home XXL
We love this little abode that’s jam-packed with luxuries despite its limited space. It can even accommodate as many as six guests so don’t let the name fool you. It’s located within easy reach of Crater Lake National Park, nestled in Umpqua Forest. The property has a short path that winds through the trees to a swimming hole with a waterfall for a refreshing dip on a hot day. It includes a full kitchen, propane grill, a spa-inspired bathroom, and a flat-screen TV.
Glacier National Park - Montana
River Retreat
Located across the river from Glacier National Park, this luxurious two-bedroom will put you close to scenic hikes, fishing, river rafting, and more. Enjoy a peaceful setting with views of nature in every direction while you’re here. It has a spacious furnished deck with a grill and all the modern comforts inside too.
Volcano National Park - Hawaii
Kalapana Botanica
This unique tiny cabin sits in the middle of a cooled lava field with colorful flowers popping up between the cracks. It offers more of an off-grid experience as an eco-friendly rental with a compost toilet, but you won’t have to give up Wi-Fi. It also has kitchenette items like a propane dual burner cooktop, French press, full fridge, and freezer. Located past the main gate into Volcano National Park, on the side where you can often hike to an active lava flow, a stay here will also reduce that trek by about two miles. Start your day by watching a colorful sunrise over the ocean from the raised lanais, enjoy exploring, and then end it by staring up at the star-filled sky.
Olympic National Park - Washington
Cottage on Lake Crescent
Located on the north side of Olympic National Park near Port Angeles, this two-bedroom cottage overlooks the sapphire waters of Lake Crescent, one of the most beautiful lakes in the state. You’ll enjoy both water and mountain views along with direct access to hiking, swimming, and all sorts of fun on the lake. It’s open seasonally from mid-May to mid-September and comes with all the essentials like a full kitchen, a fireplace supplied with firewood, a space for alfresco dining, and a private beach area where you can look forward to bonfires every night.
Grand Canyon National Park - Arizona
The Old West Loft
Immerse yourself in the Old West while being just 22 minutes south of Grand Canyon National Park with a stay in this rental. It sits in the remote town of Valle and accommodations up to four guests. The structure itself offers a unique mix of old and new while harmonizing with the terrain. It comes with a fully-stocked kitchen, including a complimentary array of soups, along with a 50” Smart TV and extensive DVD library. At this top vacation rental near the Grand Canyon the most popular place to hang out is on the front porch, especially at sunset and after dark for the stellar stargazing.
