The Best Glamping Sites Near National Parks

Nov 10, 2021 | Best Campgrounds, Glamping

The Best Glamping Sites Near National Parks

By Madeleine Balestrier

With 63 national parks across the U.S., you are almost guaranteed to find a nearby glamping option to take your visit to the next level.

Glamping is a type of accommodation for those who want to connect with nature while still maintaining the creature comforts of home. Before booking a glamping site near your favorite national park, research what the accommodations offer. Glamping is a highly personalized experience where you can choose how rugged, or luxurious, you want to be.

Do you want to unplug or do you need WiFi for remote work? Are you interested in a fine dining experience or do you want to cook by the campfire? How do you feel about communal bathrooms? These are all questions to ask yourself before booking these glamping sites near national parks.

Bed, couch and coffee table inside a canvas tent looking out onto water.

Photo by: Bailey Made

1. Acadia National Park

Situated on Maine’s Mount Desert Island, Acadia National Park is a New England highlight. The park is home to 47,000 acres of rocky beaches, dense forests, and the East Coast’s tallest peak, Cadillac Mountain. A draw of this national park is its accessibility to towns like Bar Harbor and various glamping locations.

Glamping Near Acadia

Under Canvas Acadia is located 30 minutes away from the park and features waterfront views of Union River Bay. Enjoy a glass of wine outside of your safari tent and watch the sunset after a day of hiking.

Like Acadia National Park, Acadia Yurts is located on Mount Desert Island. It’s an inclusive experience that features a spa and wellness center and yurts with WiFi, personal bathrooms, and fully-equipped kitchens.

Travel trailer parked under trees next to a wooden picnic shelter and stone fire ring.

Little Arrow Outdoor Resort | Townsend, TN – Photo by: Gary & Stephanie

2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Another East Coast favorite is Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This park straddles the Tennessee-North Carolina border where visitors are welcomed by mountains and thick forests. As the most visited national park in the U.S., there’s no shortage of nearby accommodations, including glamping options.

Glamping Near the Great Smoky Mountains

Little Arrow Outdoor Resort offers a bit of everything, including tiny homes, RV sites, cabins, and glamping tents. The grounds provide access to a pool, refreshing river, mesmerizing views, and a short drive to the park.

“If you turn left out of the campground you will literally be in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1 minute, so the location is hard to beat,” according to a Campendium reviewer.

The Ridge Outdoor Resort is an upscale RV and outdoor resort. It’s located 3 miles from Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and 30 minutes from the park. This resort is home to premier RV sites, glamping tents, and tiny homes with a spectrum of full-service amenities.

For ridgeline views and a unique stay near the park, Sky Ridge Yurts also offers a worthwhile experience from Bryson City, North Carolina.

Lounge chairs under cabanas surrounded by canvas tents and Utah's red rocks.

Photo by: Travis Burke

3. Arches National Park

Arches National Park is home to piercing pinnacles and historical geological formations that are extra dramatic during sunset and sunrise. Beyond the park, there are a variety of other outdoor havens to explore nearby. If you have a tow vehicle or toad, you can easily access Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks (both in Utah) and the San Juan Mountains in Colorado. Glamping sites in Utah are perfect basecamps for experiencing multiple parks and sites on day trips.

Glamping Near Arches

The state of Utah, especially locations near its five national parks, is plentiful with glamping accommodations.

Moab is home to Moab Valley RV Resort and Campground and Moab Springs Ranch. Moab Valley RV Resort and Campground has RV, tent, and stationary Airstream sites, while Moab Springs Ranch is an eco-friendly resort with bungalows and townhouses. Both are located within minutes of Arches National Park.

Other areas in the state to consider are Zion River Resort, Ruby’s Inn RV Park & Campground, and Under Canvas Zion.

Round metal wood rack and white rug on a wooden floor.

Photo by: The Nomadic People

4. Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is worth the trek into the rugged Montana wilderness. It’s abundant with wildlife, alpine meadows, and lakes. Spend a day hiking in Glacier National Park before returning to your freshly made bed under the quiet skies.

Glamping Near Glacier

The Resort at Paws Up is located on a sprawling 37,000 acres with a lodge, home rentals, and thoughtfully-designed canvas tents. A stay at The Resort at Paws Up means “nature served on a silver platter” with heated floors, locally sourced meals, spa treatments, and access to a river nearby.

Airstream parked in the desert by an open cabana and Adirondack chairs.

Photo by: Josh Franer

5. Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park merges the Mojave and Colorado deserts in Southern California. It features hiking, rock climbing opportunities, and stargazing alongside the park’s namesake trees.

Glamping Near Joshua Tree

Castle House Estate is a glamping site designed to look like a castle. Here you can stay in tents, yurts, shipping containers, and parts of the castle. This glamping experience features 12 acres of desert glamping in the town of Joshua Tree.

Autocamp Joshua Tree is a new stationary Airstream location planned to open in late 2021. It aims for “minimal impact on the environment, incorporating low water use, native plantings, a heavy reliance on solar power, and dark sky-compliant lighting to preserve the clear view of the stars,” according to Autocamp.

Glamping is a convenient way to experience national parks and nature with a comfortable setup. Before you book a glamping site near a national park, follow these tips:

  • Research before you book and personalize your stay without breaking the bank.
  • Before visiting a national park, call ahead to see if there are any pandemic-related restrictions or seasonal closures in place.
  • Prepare for limited cell reception.
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