If a cave dwelling conjures images of primitive camping, you haven鈥檛 seen the Cave at . This 1,500-square-foot rock formation turned modern vacation home 50 miles southeast of Columbus, Ohio, books out one year in advance. Bold design touches like crystal chandeliers, purple kitchen tiles, a pool table, and floor-to-ceiling walnut bookcases stocked with 500-plus tomes have made it a social media sensation. , a YouTuber who showcases the coolest Airbnbs in the United States, has called it the most unique home he鈥檚 ever been to.

But the highly is just one part of its allure. The other? Its location in Hocking Hills. The Buckeye State may not be nationally known for its natural wonders, but this unsung region in southeast Ohio will surprise you with its massive caves, deep gorges, tumbling waterfalls, and hemlock-shaded forest trails. Word is quietly getting out about the area鈥檚 adventure potential, but when you book the Cave, you never have to worry about crowds. Set on 35 acres, the property has its own network of trails that lead to a creek, waterfalls, and other unique rock formations. Most guests book for the novelty of sleeping in a cave, but return for the private park vibe. Here’s what to know about this super cool vacation stay.

The Backstory: How Dunlap Hollow Cave Came to Be

Ohio native Bryant Gingerich never imagined he鈥檇 be able to make a living from a trio of Airbnbs. Uninspired working as a mechanical engineer, the outdoor enthusiast initially thought a rental property in Hocking Hills, his go-to adventure escape from his home in Columbus, could be a side hustle while he figured out a job transition. 鈥淚 grew up working in construction and building cabins sounded fun to me,鈥� he says.

In 2019, he started casually browsing , a real estate site that specializes in rural properties. Within a week, he came across a 35-acre plot priced at $415,000 in Rockbridge, an unincorporated community minutes from some of Hocking Hills鈥� state parks and preserves. 鈥淚t was everything I dreamed of buying,鈥� he says. With financial help from family and a loan, he and his wife Amy bought the property and named it Dunlap Hollow, as it sits on Dunlap Road and is largely within a ravine, or in Appalachian terms, a hollow.

The mortgage was more than half of his paycheck, so he immediately set to work transforming the property鈥檚 dilapidated 1920s hunting cabin into a charming, one-bedroom rental cottage. In October 2019, after four months of work and an $120,000 investment, he listed it on Airbnb. 鈥淚t became profitable immediately,鈥� he says. 鈥淲ithin the first month or so we were at 85 percent occupancy.鈥� Encouraged, he quit his day job and spent seven months and $320,000 building a three-bedroom, two-bathroom A-frame cabin on the property, which he listed in March 2021.

While wandering the far side of the forested grounds during construction, he stumbled across a huge recess cave hidden behind trees and got the idea to turn it into a third rental.

鈥淗ocking Hills has no shortage of cabin rentals,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 knew a cave home would be something special.鈥� Gingerich drew on his engineering background and constructed it like a slab home, installing solar panels and radiant floor heating. He added floor-to-ceiling windows across the entrance to flood sunlight into even the far reaches of the cave, and four humidifiers that remove 40 gallons of water from the air per day. He sunk $400,000 into the eight-month project, and couldn鈥檛 have fathomed its return on his investment. In two years, it鈥檚 had one vacant night and during the peak summer months, costs $1,200 per night. All three rentals collectively earned $700,000 last year, which after costs, brought him $350,000 in net profits.

Secrets to Rental-Home Success

Gingerich now offers hourly consultations to aspiring rental home owners starting at $450 an hour and also sells his A-frame plans (from $1,950). Here鈥檚 some of his complimentary wisdom if you鈥檙e looking to craft a space to support outdoorsy guests who want to get outside.

• Do something creative that isn鈥檛 mainstream. 鈥淭here were a lot of traditional cabins in Hocking Hills,鈥� Gingerich says. 鈥淚 think what made our business successful was that the area didn鈥檛 have a lot of A-frames and certainly not a cave and we were in an area people wanted to be.鈥�
• Start by listing on high-visibility platforms. 鈥淎irbnb is like free marketing,鈥� he says. Hosts typically pay a three percent听fee, and guests also pay Airbnb a . Gingerich now also offers direct bookings, which save guests around 15 percent in fees, he says.
• Tap into local influencers. Gingerich hosted a Columbus influencer in the A-frame in exchange for promotion and says it grew Dunlap Hollow鈥檚 Instagram following from 3,000 to 30,000 within a month.
• Invest in social media. After completing the Cave, Gingerich hired a content firm that charges $2,500 a month in exchange for their social media expertise and video production that is used in three social posts per week鈥攎ostly on reels鈥攐n Dunlap Hill鈥檚 Instagram account.
• Add a personal touch. Gingerich and his wife pay a cleaning team around $115,000 annually to keep all three properties spic and span. But they devote around a dozen hours per week to the bookings and communications with guests. They鈥檝e created property trail maps and leave recommendations for area activities in every rental and have stocked the pantries with locally sourced goods ranging from bath salts to coffee.

What Guests Love About This Airbnb

Alison Payden of Columbus discovered Dunlap Hollow through social media and was struck by the contrast of the natural rock formation and the contemporary decor. 鈥淚t feels like you鈥檙e staying in a medieval castle,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he interiors are like a work of art filled with beautiful tile work, arched doorways, royal color schemes, and locally sourced antiques.鈥� She and her husband rented the property when summer was in full bloom and in the dead of winter. 鈥淣o matter the season there is so much beauty to soak in everywhere you look,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t is so quiet and secluded, you wouldn鈥檛 even know there are two other homes on the property.

While the Cave is undeniably the star of Dunlap Hollow, the property鈥檚 cottage and A-frame are also in high demand, largely because of its private wilderness setting.

Gingerich estimates that half of Dunlap Hollow鈥檚 guests are from Columbus and are looking for an easy urban-to-nature detox. Kim Poling of Columbus booked the cottage for her 25th wedding anniversary in September 2023 and she and her husband have returned four times since. 鈥淭here is a sign in the cabin that says 鈥楢nd into the woods I go, to lose my mind and find my soul,鈥� and that sums up my experience,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 around an hour from our home, which is a perfect escape from reality. It is so serene. We bring food because once we check in, we don鈥檛 leave.鈥� The couple has navigated the property鈥檚 trails, but mainly they relax, soaking in the outdoor hot tub or sitting by the indoor or outdoor fire. 鈥淢y husband doesn鈥檛 like to spend money but he said the cottage is worth every hard earned penny,鈥� she says.

Repeat past guest Matt Martin of Columbus also rarely leaves the grounds. The property has a 1.2-mile trail network and the 0.8-mile, out-and-back Overlook Trail has trailheads at all three units and leads guests to a scenic overlook with views of the valley below. Over the last decade, the growth of the Central Ohio region combined with the pandemic boom in outdoor activity, has caused a surge in area tourism, says Martin. In the peak months of summer and fall, trails can often feel crowded. 鈥淒unlap Hollow feels like a state park but you鈥檙e on private land,鈥� he says. 鈥淭o have these caves and trails all to yourself is something you just don鈥檛 get from other cabin rentals in the region.鈥�

Martin says the wilderness setting would be a perfect camp site. 鈥淚鈥檝e thought about bringing a tent but the rentals are too nice to resist,鈥� he says.

Local Intel: What to Know About Hocking Hills

Hocking Hills鈥� main gateway towns, Lancaster and Logan, are 25 and 20 minutes away, respectively. Logan has a Kroger and Walmart Supercenter for guests looking to stock up on supplies and stay put.

If you want to venture out, some of Gingerich鈥檚 favorite eateries include in Lancaster and , a restaurant attached to a brewery, wine tasting room, and distillery in Logan.

Cool Outdoor Things to Do at Dunlap Hollow and Nearby

You could easily spend a weekend traversing the trails of Dunlap Hollow, but it鈥檚 well worth mustering the motivation to explore beyond the property. And you don鈥檛 have to go far. Within a ten-mile radius you鈥檒l find hemlock-shaded gorges, plunging waterfalls, dramatic cliffs and caves, trout-stocked lakes, and trail-laced state forests, parks, and nature preserves, all of which are free. Here are some not-to-be missed experiences.

See the Geological Wonders Within Hocking Hills State Park

A 25-plus mile trail network leads to incredible rock formations and cascading falls that transform into frozen wonders each winter. The six-mile, one-way is named for Ohio native 鈥淕randma鈥� Emma Rowena Gatewood, the first woman to solo hike the Appalachian Trail, and overlaps with the 1,400-some mile that encircles the state.

It takes in some of the park鈥檚 most popular features including Old Man鈥檚 Cave, a rock shelter that鈥檚 part of an impressive, waterfall-lined gorge cut through 150-foot thick blackhand sandstone, 50-foot Cedar Falls, and Ash Cave, the largest recess cave east of the Mississippi. The latter has a runoff waterfall that spills 90 feet from one corner of its horseshoe-shaped, 700-foot rim and can also be reached along a half-mile, wheelchair-accessible trail.

Get Off the Ground

Nearly 100 acres of forest land one mile east of Conkles Hollow within Hocking Hills State Forest have been set aside for rock climbing and rappelling. offers a range of experiences, from intro to rock climbing sessions to 120-foot waterfall rappels (both $180 for up to two people).

Outfitter operates from private land located just past Clear Cleek Metro Park Nature Preserve. The owners have routed 35 to 70-plus foot sandstone cliffs with Petzl anchors and climbing clinics (from $94) can be combined with rappelling and ziplining (from $175).

For an adrenaline rush, try the SuperZip created by ($35). This quarter-mile long zipline has users launch head-first from an 85-foot tower. You鈥檒l feel like a superhero soaring up to 50 miles per hour through the forest and over the Hocking River.

Make the Most of Lake Life

Anglers have their pick of lakes to cast from as long as they have a valid ($25 for residents per year, $50.96 for non–residents). Rose Lake, located via a half-mile trail within Hocking Hills State Park, is stocked with trout each spring. The waters of Lake Logan State Park and Lake Hope State Park teem with bass, bluegill, catfish, northern pike, saugeye, and crappie. In winter months, hardy fishermen hunker down to ice fish at all three locations and 400-acre Lake Logan is where locals head to ice skate. In summer, the rents kayaks, paddleboards, and pedalboats (from $14 an hour) and local outfitter runs evening kayak excursions in search of the lake鈥檚 elusive giant beaver ($100 for three hours).

Enjoy a Different Take on Nightlife

Hocking Hills has some of the darkest skies in the Midwest. is open year-round to DIY astrotourists who own telescopes. On Friday and Saturday nights between March and November resident astronomer and star wonk Brad Hoehne hosts entertaining celestial programs using the park鈥檚 high-powered telescope. Programs are free to the public, but complimentary parking passes must be reserved in advance by calling ahead. The 21-acre garden at family-run has more than 60 species of butterflies and 1,094 different moth species. The moth zone hosts Saturday night education programs from June through August, and visitors can witness hundreds of moths and caterpillars glow in the dark ($6).

Jen Murphy is a frequent 国产吃瓜黑料 contributor. She has slept in a cave hotel in Matera, Italy and the cave at Dunlap Hills has inspired her to take her first trip to Ohio. She has recently written about brand-new, gorgeous hotels that’ll satisfy your adventurous side, as well as how to make the most of solo travel, and how to avoid fighting with your partner when you pack for road trips.听

The post This Cave in Ohio Is One of the Nation鈥檚 Most Booked Vacation Homes appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

I鈥檝e spent the last two decades exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and have become utterly fascinated by its听duality. On the one hand, GSMNP is the epitome of a 鈥渄rive through鈥� park, with a scenic road and bevy of easy nature trails. On the other, it鈥檚 a rugged expanse of wilderness packed with steep cliffs, remote hollers, and wild trout streams. Some of the park鈥檚 gateway towns are packed with waterslides and chain restaurants, while others have quaint main streets. Over the years, I鈥檝e sat in traffic jams inside the park, but also crawled through dense backcountry forests. I鈥檝e fished streams and hugged massive old growth trees and spotted elk at dusk and climbed some of the tallest peaks in the eastern U.S. all within the borders of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

What I鈥檝e discovered is that you need time to fully appreciate this landscape. You need to spend days on end here, fishing and hiking and picnicking your way through these impressive mountains. That means you鈥檒l need a place to lay your head and recover from the day鈥檚 adventure. While camping inside GSMNP is great, sometimes you need a few more amenities, like a hot tub or game room, to truly round out your vacation.

For this sort of trip, I usually turn to Airbnb, which has hundreds of cabin options you can rent for a night or more, within a stone鈥檚 throw of the park. Here are eight properties I鈥檇 recommend that hit the sweet spot of perks, location, and high reviews from other travelers. Any one of these would make the perfect basecamp for exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Know Before You Go: Last September, Western North Carolina was devastated by Hurricane Helene. I wrote about my experience in the storm at the time, but I want readers to know that the region is healing, and many communities are open to tourism again. Great Smoky Mountains National Park did not receive the brunt of the storm, and most gateway towns saw minimal damage compared to other communities. But keep the storm and its lasting impacts in mind when you鈥檙e traveling to the region. Some roads might still be closed, and some areas will still look scarred.

Creekside Chalet

Why We Love It: The A-frame, ski-chalet vibes

Price: From $190 per night

Built into the side of a mountain in the sixties, this kitschy A-frame chalet has been completely remodeled into a modern gem that sits just outside the hustle and bustle of downtown Gatlinburg. The two-bedroom cabin has a large living room that makes the most of the A-frame design with towering vaulted ceilings and floor to ceiling windows, but I also love the front porch, which has its own hot tub. The cabin feels secluded, thanks to the surrounding forest of hardwoods, but it鈥檚 actually on the edge of Ober Gatlinburg, a family-friendly ski resort that鈥檚 the perfect place to take your first turns. You鈥檙e also just ten听minutes from the Gatlinburg entrance to the park, with quick access to the trails off of Newfound Gap Road, which cuts through the center of the park. Plus, it perfect for larger crews, as it sleeps up to six people with two bedrooms, a sleeper sofa, and has two baths.

Cabin in the Clouds

Why We Love It: The epic view from the hot tub

Price: From $250 per night

I like the quieter North Carolina side of the park and this new, two-bedroom mountain-top cabin near Bryson City makes the most of the area thanks to a wall of glass and expansive porch that takes in the surrounding mountains. The living room is the definition of 鈥渁iry,鈥� with vaulted ceilings and an exterior wall full of windows, which leads onto the expansive deck where a hot tub sits in the corner. Soaking in the tub while you enjoy mountain vistas by day, or starry skies by night, has to be the highlight here, although I also like the firepit complete with a built-in national park-style charcoal grill. From here, you鈥檒l have quick access to Lake Fontana and the Deep Creek area of the park, which is packed with waterfalls and adventurous tubing. The home sleeps up to six people, with two bedrooms and two baths.

Riverfront Glass House

Why We Love It: The fire pit right next to a world-class trout stream

Price: From $299 a night, 2-night minimum

This large home sits on a peninsula at the confluence of a small creek and the Little River, with steps leading down to a grassy 鈥渂each鈥� that鈥檚 perfect for lounging or casting for trout. There鈥檚 a shaded patio with a hot tub and a lounge area complete with an outdoor TV, not to mention an outdoor shower. Hardwoods throughout and big picture windows show off the surrounding forest and mountains from the inside of this updated home, but its location is the real draw. Not only will you have private access to the river, but the house, which sleeps up to six, is only two miles from the Foothills Parkway, a scenic two-lane road that wraps around the border of GSMNP, and the Airbnb is only 12 miles to the closest entrance to the park.

Clever Cubs Cabin

Why We Love It: The built-in game room and close proximity to family fun

Price: From $233 per night; 3-night minimum

You never know how your kids will respond to that five-mile hike you have planned, but I guarantee they鈥檒l love the full-sized arcade games, pool table, and karaoke machine that occupy the bonus room in this three-story cabin. Older kids will appreciate the photogenic murals crafted inside and outside of this home, and as an extra perk, the cabin is located near Sevierville, which is packed with family adventures, from zip line courses to gem mines. The wraparound porch has a putting green, and there鈥檚 a lower deck with a fire pit and a tiki bar for the adults. As for the cabin鈥檚 proximity to the park, you鈥檙e about 30 minutes from Sugarlands Visitor Center, where you can pick up the scenic Newfound Gap Road, which cuts through the heart of the Smokies, or break off to Cades Cove, a former farming community with historic buildings scattered throughout the valley. This cabin sleeps up to eight people.

The Smoky Mountain Treehouse

Why We Love It: The 40-foot swinging bridge

Price: From $275 per night

This custom-built tree house has story-book weekend written all over it, from the 40-foot long swinging bridge you need to cross to enter the home, to the architectural details that make the cabin one-of-a-kind. The kitchen is compact, but a rolling ladder leads to a loft, live edge countertops grace the bathroom and kitchenette, and you get views of the surrounding mountain from your king bed. The outside living space is even better, with an outdoor shower, cedar hot tub, and a hammock built into the floor of the deck. The location is prime, as this treehouse sits just off the Foothills Parkway on the western border of the park, close to the Abrams Falls and Goldmine Trailhead. It can sleep up to four, but this perch is best for a romantic couple鈥檚 getaway.

Eagle鈥檚 Landing

Why We Love It: The view from the porch of the lake below

Price: From $225 per night

Is it crazy to rent a cabin just for the view? Depends on what you鈥檙e looking at. Eagles Landing is a two-bedroom cabin that sleeps up to six perched on a bluff overlooking a quiet corner of Lake Fontana, a finger-lake body of water that forms the southern border of GSMNP. The firepit and front porch have the best views of the vistas below, showing off green slopes that rise directly from the water. Head down the mountain to paddle Fontana in search of rope swings, jumping rocks, and waterfalls (all of which can be found nearby). If you鈥檙e looking for land-based activities, the Appalachian Trail crosses Fontana Dam and climbs to Shuckstack Tower, a decommissioned fire lookout with views of Lake Fontana.

Secluded Cabin

Why We Love It: The remote setting and quick access to the park.

Price: From $145 per night

Tucked into Pisgah National Forest, near the north-eastern border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this small, one-bedroom cabin is surrounded by Pisgah National Forest, with nothing but dense hardwoods for neighbors. There are no frills in this remote outpost, which has two beds and sleeps up to four, but the interior is nicely finished and has a wood stove to keep you warm at night, while a covered porch and fire pit give you the outdoor space you need for soaking in the surrounding wilderness. The location is prime for exploring the eastern side of the park, where the Mount Sterling fire tower looms tall and swimming holes like Midnight Hole beckon during the summer. It鈥檚 dog-friendly too, and is accessible by unmaintained forest roads, so if you visit during a winter snow storm, you鈥檒l need a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Vista Heights Lodge

Why We Love It: The private pool and outdoor living space

Price: From $441 per night

Big groups need room to spread out, and not only does this large cabin near the western border of the park have plenty of space (it sleeps up to 12 with 5听bedrooms and 5.5 baths), it has a gorgeous screened-in porch complete with a wood-burning fireplace, an indoor/outdoor heated pool, and a game room with a pool table. Enjoy expansive views of the Smokies from many of the bedrooms, or spend your time hopping between the hot tub and the pool. There鈥檚 even a Peloton bike if you feel the need to burn calories. The cabin sits on the edge of the park, near the Little River Gorge and Elkmont Campground, with a dozen trailheads under 30 minutes from the front door.

Graham Averill is 国产吃瓜黑料 magazine鈥檚 national parks columnist. He鈥檚 been exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding area since he was a kid. In those days, his family camped, which is great, but he definitely appreciates a cabin with a hot tub and pool table. He has recently written about the best national parks for spring break, and the ones that you can enter for free this year.

The post Headed to Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Book One of These 8 Airbnbs. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

I always wanted a treehouse growing up. Who didn鈥檛? There鈥檚 something magical about the idea of a tiny cabin, vaulted above the ground and surrounded by strong trees, where you could peek out the window and find yourself at eye level with birds and branches. I envisioned sleepovers in the backyard with friends and secret meetings where my siblings and I could look out over the neighborhood or watch squirrels scramble up close by.

While I never got that treehouse as a kid, I can rent one for the night now if I want. From a lookout tower with a wood-fired sauna in Idaho to a sleek cabin with volcano views in Washington to an architect-designed treehouse on a pond in New York, these nine grown-up-worthy treehouse vacation rentals鈥攚hich are all built to avoid harming the woods around them鈥攚ill help fulfill your wildest childhood dreams.

Score Views of Mount Adams From This Modern Treehouse in the Columbia River Gorge

Location: White Salmon, Washington

Price: From $280 per night

You鈥檒l come for the view of 12,281-foot Mount Adams at sunset through the 18-foot-tall floor-to-ceiling windows in this modern, sleekly designed treehouse vacation rental, which sits in between three hearty Douglas firs near the town of White Salmon, Washington, across the Columbia River from Hood River, Oregon. This 500-square-foot pet-friendly cabin comes with minimalist Scandinavian furnishings and maximalist amenities, like an outdoor shower, on-the-ground fire pit, and coffee-making equipment of the highest Pacific Northwest-approved quality. Cell service and TVs don鈥檛 exist here. The place sleeps up to six in a private bedroom and an open sleeping loft equipped with two queen beds.

Don鈥檛 Miss: From here, you鈥檙e just 15 minutes from the in Hood River, a prime spot for mountain biking, and even closer to the windsurfing and kiteboarding that the Columbia River Gorge is famous for. Otherwise, hike to a waterfall like or and end the day with nachos and live music at , a local鈥檚 favorite pub in White Salmon.

Spare No Comforts in This Studio Treehouse in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains

Location: Travelers Rest, South Carolina

Price: From 379 per night

The small town of Travelers Rest, South Carolina, 25 minutes outside of Greenville, is as charming as it sounds. And this thoughtfully designed treehouse on a quiet 16-acre property in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains is the sweetest place to call home while you鈥檙e there. The studio-sized treehouse sleeps two in ultra-comfortable accommodations, complete with an outdoor shower on the back deck and yoga mats for morning stretching. At night, you鈥檒l hear the resident owl, named Betty, hooting a welcome. This treehouse has a two-night minimum, is available for long-term stays, and intentionally doesn鈥檛 come with WiFi, though it does have cell service.

Don鈥檛 Miss: You鈥檙e just 10 minutes from downtown Travelers Rest, where you can ride bikes along the , a 28-mile multi-use pathway. The hiking trails in are 20 minutes away, and there鈥檚 wine tasting and an outdoor sculpture park at , five minutes down the road.

Sleep 40 Feet Off the Ground in a Far-Out Lookout Tower in the Forested Midwest

Location: Bradleyville, Missouri

Price: From $295 per night

You鈥檒l drive two miles down a gravel road to reach this remote two-story lookout tower, which is located about 20 minutes outside the tiny outpost of Bradleyville, Missouri. (The nearest grocery store is 30 minutes away, so pack supplies.) This one-bedroom treehouse-style tower was built to resemble the historic fire lookout towers once used to spot fires in rural areas. Two such remaining towers still exist around the , 15 minutes away, which has 32 miles of hiking trails. This is the kind of Airbnb that comes with a welcome basket and a hand-written note from your hosts, making you feel right at home when you arrive. Put your belongings into a winch-operated luggage elevator while you climb the 40 stairs to the top level. Too windy? There鈥檚 a cellar storm shelter you can hide out in until the bad weather passes. Nice amenities include upgrades like plush bathrobes, a telescope for night stargazing, and a rock-lined hot tub. Plan to unplug: There鈥檚 no TV or WiFi.

Don鈥檛 Miss: About an hour from the tower, you can dine on farm-to-table ingredients or take a workshop on soap making or floral bouquets at in Ozark.

Take a Detour on Your Highway 1 Road Trip to Stay at This Magical Treehouse Along the Pacific Coast

Location: Watsonville, California

Price: From $696 per night

You鈥檒l park your car and meander on foot down a wooded pathway before arriving at this picturesque one-bedroom treehouse vacation rental, suspended in a grove of redwoods outside the town of Watsonville, California, known for its plethora of artichoke farms. The bathhouse at this treehouse has its own separate building, accessible via vaulted plank from the main cabin. The house comes stocked with board games and has sliver views of the Pacific Ocean from the wraparound deck. The popular beaches of Santa Cruz and Monterey aren鈥檛 far, or stay close and take a stroll on the sand dunes at .

Don鈥檛 Miss: Farm stands are abundant in the area. Buy an olallieberry pie or pick your own apples or strawberries at or stop into the shop for fresh artichokes or artichoke dips and sauces, depending on the season. Hike the five miles of woodland trails or spot sea otters by kayak on the wetland waterways of the . rents kayaks and leads guided tours.

Explore Glacier National Park from this A-Frame Treehouse Nearby

Location: Columbia Falls, Montana

Price: From $341 per night

You might never want to leave the comfortable confines of this two-bedroom A-frame cabin that鈥檚 suspended in the trees 10 minutes outside Columbia Falls, Montana. That is, until you realize you鈥檙e just 30 minutes from the west entrance to Glacier National Park. This well-appointed treehouse is situated on a 5-acre forested property that鈥檚 also home to a second neighboring treehouse, but both are positioned to preserve a sense of privacy. In the winter, you鈥檙e just 15 minutes from skiing at Whitefish Mountain Resort. In the summer, head to Whitefish Lake and the charming lakeside town of Whitefish or go for a scenic drive or hike in Glacier National Park.

Don鈥檛 Miss: During peak season from June through September, you鈥檒l need a to drive Glacier National Park鈥檚 famous Going to the Sun Road, but it鈥檚 worth it for the views along this scenic mountain roadway. In the warmer months, park at the Logan Pass trailhead to hike a section of the 11-mile , which goes point to point along the Continental Divide past the , a historic, romantic backcountry lodge within the national park.

Disconnect at this Architect-Designed Treehouse in the Catskills

Location: Woodstock, New York

Price: From $500 per night

This 500-square-foot tiny house is situated on a private wooded property 15 minutes from the town of Woodstock, New York. Designed by architect Antony Gibbons as a whimsical family escape for these Airbnb hosts, this unique, stilted, stand-alone cabin has massive windows that look out into the Catskill Mountains and to the on-site pond. The quarters are quaint: A lofted, open-air bedroom sleeps two. Pick up bagels and coffee at the in Woodstock to have on hand. In the winter, there鈥檚 downhill skiing and an uphill policy at , a 30-minute drive away.

Don鈥檛 Miss: From spring to fall, tackle the 6-mile hike to the , which starts just up the road, or take the short but scenic walk to. There are plenty of lakes and swimming holes to jump into in the area, but why bother going anywhere else when you have a swimming pond in the backyard of your treehouse vacation rental? A wood-fired cedar hot tub awaits you on the edge of the pond. There鈥檚 no cell service or WiFi.

Enjoy a Wood-Fired Sauna at This Lookout Tower in Remote Backcountry

Location: Fernwood, Idaho

Price: From $271 per night

This structure wasn鈥檛 built to look like an old fire lookout tower鈥攊t actually is an old lookout tower. Originally built in 1959 atop a peak in eastern Washington, it was relocated to western Idaho in 1983 and completely remodeled as a year-round no-frills guest house in 2018. It鈥檚 surrounded by 13 acres of forest land on Crystal Peak outside the tiny hamlet of Fernwood, Idaho. In the summer, you can drive to within 50 feet of the lookout, but you鈥檒l need an all-wheel-drive car (the road in is pretty rugged); in the winter, you鈥檒l need to ski tour, snowmobile, or catch a lift from the caretaker鈥檚 off-road vehicle for an additional fee. There鈥檚 no bathroom in the lookout; you鈥檒l need to climb down the ladder to the ground level to use the outhouse.

Don鈥檛 Miss: You鈥檒l likely spend your days wandering around the hut鈥攜ou can forage for huckleberries or morel mushrooms鈥攖hen light up the wood-fired sauna, located on its own deck.

Bring Your Family to This Cozy Treehouse in the Foothills of the North Georgia Mountains

Location: Dahlonega, Georgia

Price: From $294 per night

You wouldn鈥檛 guess you鈥檙e just an hour north of Atlanta when you settle into this peaceful abode built around a massive oak tree. For families or groups, four people can sleep in bunks and a queen bed stacked in various nooks and this treehouse vacation rental comes with kids鈥� books and toys if you鈥檙e bringing little ones. There鈥檚 a short nature trail out the door. Three other vacation rental cabins sit on the same 7-acre property, but they鈥檙e well spaced apart from each other.

Don鈥檛 Miss: Downtown Dahlonega, a few minutes away, is listed on the National Historic Register as the site of one of America鈥檚 first gold rush towns. You can learn more about the area鈥檚 history at the Visit the 729-foot high waterfall in or hike the 8-mile that connects to the 2,193-mile Appalachian Trail near its southern terminus at Springer Mountain.

Ski Sunday River from This Chalet in the Trees

Location: Woodstock, Maine

Price: From $470 per night

You鈥檒l sleep 20 feet off the ground in a 300-square-foot tiny house designed and built by The Treehouse Guys, made famous on a DIY Network show. This cabin, in Woodstock, which can sleep up to four in two small, lofted spaces, is surrounded by maple and hemlock trees and just 10 minutes from the town of Bethel, Maine. It comes stocked with a record player, a ukulele, and a hot tub. The hosts call this pad The Ski Haus for a reason: Skiing at is less than 15 minutes away and skiing and summertime lift-accessed mountain biking at is just five minutes away. Or don鈥檛 leave the grounds: You can reach seven miles of hiking and snowshoeing trails from this treehouse vacation rental within the surrounding 634-acre Bucks Ledge Community Forest.

Don鈥檛 Miss: There鈥檚 ice skating midwinter on North Pond, a short walk from the treehouse, or in the summer, the place comes with access to paddleboards and kayaks.

Megan Michelson is an award-winning journalist who covers travel and the outdoors for a wide range of publications, including 国产吃瓜黑料, from her home base in Tahoe City, California. She’s always dreamed of staying in a treehouse鈥攅ven from childhood鈥攁nd can’t wait to hit up these spots on her 2025 vacation list. She’s recently written about the coolest off-grid Airbnb in Colorado, how this woman pulled off buying a one Euro home in Italy, and these 10 vacations that might even help you live longer.听

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Ever come across an incredible hotel that stops you mid-scroll and makes you think, Wow, wouldn鈥檛 it be something to stay there? We do, too鈥攁ll the time. Welcome to Friday Fantasy, where we highlight amazing hotels, lodges, cabins, tents, campsites, and other places perched in perfect outdoor settings. Read on for the intel you need to book an upcoming adventure here. Or at least dream about it.

Ten feet overhead in a desert canyon in Utah, a jammed log spanned the gully, left by a recent flash flood. In the next passage in Harris Wash in听Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, southern Utah, our group gazed up at a tangled brown stripe of debris from the same flood, adorning a green cottonwood tree like Spanish moss.

All our lives we marvel at nature鈥檚 power. Here we also appreciated the immovability of geology鈥攔ock walls鈥攁s our group of nine, all staying in the region at听the complex, at first walked and then arduously wormed through a narrowing slot canyon. When the sides pinched down to only a foot wide, my friend DeMarco Williams, athletic and deep-chested, said from two feet ahead, 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know if I can do this.鈥� He was pinned.

Ofland Escalante, two miles from the town of Escalante, is situated amid the landscape of the national monument and between two national parks. (Video: Eric Vega)

I had it easier, being smaller. As a climber, I鈥檝e been in squeeze chimneys before; they can be awful and claustrophobic, and you just want out, but have to make it happen.

DeMarco pressed on, and something gave, and he scraped through the constriction. I followed, ducking, and emerged into the light, where he waited smiling. At each obstacle, following canyoneering practices shown us by Rick Green, owner of the guiding outfit , one of us waited to help the next person.

This trip last August was to the treasure that is Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, where friends and I all stayed two nights at Ofland Escalante, an ideal, central base located within the national monument and two miles west of the pioneer town of the same name. (Harris Wash was some 25 miles from town, with much of the drive on a washboard road.)

Not everyone in our group loved our several-hour canyoneering experience. Some cried, and some half-laughed, half-cried. But no one will forget it.

Toward the end, having split into two groups (one with Amie Fortin of the same outfit), we all convened for lunch in a bowl among blunt buttresses that were once ancient sand dunes, the slickrock around us inscribed with fine criss-cross lines. Sage and grasses waved in the wind, with hardy pi帽on-juniper trees in clumps nearby. Paiute, Ute, and Navajo tribes once dwelled in this region. So did dinosaurs. We saw no one else all day.

As we all looped back out of the canyon, we scrambled a little, but much of the return was just a quiet, reverent walk through washes and passages. Tracing the undulating wind- and water-sculpted walls, I peered into natural niches like little altars, holding swirls of sediment.

The Lodge

Closed each winter but slated to reopen March 12, Ofland Escalante is located just off Highway 12. Opened in 2021 on the site of an old RV park and drive-in movie theater, the place was in recent years, per the website, a 鈥渓uxury RV park鈥� known as Yonder Escalante. In May 2023 the new owners added 鈥渄eluxe鈥� cabins, and last year renamed the place (鈥淥fland鈥� is for 鈥渙f the land鈥�). Ofland has varying services and prices, and brings people together in communal spaces.听

The place offers four types of accommodations. I bunked in a Deluxe Cabin, simple and boxy with floor-to-ceiling windows, able to sleep up to four people. Also available are vintage Airstreams, tiny cabins, and campsites.

The central common area draws visitors with a fire pit, picnic tables, complimentary hot drinks, and shelves of books, board games, and cards. Our crew brought over s鈥檓ores supplies from our rooms and gathered at the tables for spirited rounds of Uno.

On Ofland Escalante鈥檚 22-acre grounds, you can still enjoy the vintage outdoor 鈥渄rive-in鈥� theater, where you watch from inside one of nine in-situ classic cars. Other property diversions include a hot tub and swimming pool.

But the big deal is the place鈥檚 location amid the wonders of the Utah desert. The nearby town of Escalante is on the northern border of the 1.87-million-acre Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and just off the 123-mile-long U of scenic highway 12, which runs between Panguich, 67 miles west of the town, and Torrey, 65 miles north of it. Escalante sits between two national parks, about 50 miles east of Bryce Canyon and 67 southwest of Capitol Reef. Highway 12 links them all.

国产吃瓜黑料 Intel

Escalante (and Ofland Escalante) are in road-trip reach of five national parks, four state parks, another national monument, and the vast Dixie National Forest, all boasting a myriad of .

You鈥檙e also in the high-elevation desert here. The town of Escalante is set at 5,800 feet, and the surrounding area rises to about 8,600 feet, while reaches 9,000 feet. So ascend gradually and, while you are outside and exerting, pay attention to your water intake.

Escalante is famous for its slot canyons, and Excursions of Escalante can take you out, set up rappels, and use their guides鈥� situational experience to avoid dangerous floods. The outfitters gave us packs, helmets, and water bottles, but you should arrive wearing good trail shoes and clothes that take being abraded.

A little on-site commentary from a canyon in Harris Wash, the Utah desert (Video: Neil Tandy)

A Utah friend tells me that , a 6.7-mile out-and-back starting 19 miles northeast of Escalante, is her favorite hike ever. It has birdwatching鈥攆or hawks and ravens, and she once saw a condor鈥攁nd 鈥渁 little of everything鈥� else, from steep sections to sandy patches and a 125-foot waterfall.

For me, a dark-horse favorite was also . We hiked the Rainbow section (and added a few other loops), where we saw petrified wood in scattered chunks, from wastebasket- to coffee-table size, with hues of sulphur yellow and iron red but also deep blues and violet. The starts on an uphill past a tram-size balanced rock overlooking Wide Hollow Reservoir, where you can camp, swim, or .

Please do not pocket any pieces of petrified wood. Things in the desert are supposed to stay there. Besides, I’ve , and taking one only brings you ill luck.

Choice Rooms

My Deluxe Cabin鈥檚 outside shower was heaven. The water was plenty hot, and I could gaze out at the sky and the surrounding scrub-covered dun bluffs.

The Deluxe Cabins (from $259 per night) are the most cushy places, the only ones with private bathrooms and their own driveways. Each has a kitchenette and Wi-Fi, a deck with picnic table, and a queen bed and pull-out sofa such that it can sleep up to four. From the cabins it鈥檚 a five-minute walk to the main lodge. ADA cabins are available as well, and the lodge has golf carts for transport around the property.

Other options include vintage Airstreams ($175 per night), which sleep up to three people, and tiny cabins ($169), located just paces from the common area. The cabins have front decks and the Airstreams step out to picnic tables and fire pits. Both use shared bathrooms with amenities and open-air showers.

Ofland also has five campsites (from $99, per night). Each comes with a picnic table, grill, fire pit, filtered-water hookup, power, and bathroom access.

Eat and Drink

Pop over to the on-site food truck, prepare your own meals in your kitchenette, or go out for dinner at in the delightfully small and funky town of Escalante. 4th West offers 30 types of beers; burgers, paninis, and nice spicy tacos; a pool table, where my friends played half the night; and a nice local vibe. The evening was cool, so we skipped the outdoor seating, but in warm temps it would be wonderful to enjoy the view from there over dinner.

, 14 miles east of town and located within the national monument, is a magical-looking complex overlooking the startlingly green forest lining the Escalante River. It offers vegetarian-friendly Southwest fare, indoor and outdoor seating, and lodging.

Thirteen miles farther north is in the town of Boulder. The place, which has a devoted following, features ethically sourced ingredients and its own organic garden. The owners practice Buddhist principles and are committed to social responsibility.

At the end of Highway 12, in the town of Torrey, is the family-owned Wild Rabbit Cafe, with an on-site coffee roaster, and vegan and vegetarian options.

When to Go

Ofland Escalante is open mid-March through October. Spring and fall will have you cozying up around the fire pits, and maybe hitting the hot tub. Summer is bound to put you in the swimming pool. All indoor accommodations have heat and A/C.

How to Get There

The small Bryce Canyon Airport is just four miles north of Bryce Canyon National Park, 48 miles from Escalante. Most visitors and rent a car for the amazing 294-mile drive south and back with its section on Highway 12.

Don鈥檛 Miss

Hike to the 100 Hands Pictograph Panel, actually site of three major rock-art panels, via a family-friendly 1.2-mile round-trip off Highway 12, starting from the Escalante River Trailhead 14 miles east of Escalante. Ancient petroglyphs鈥攕heep, deer, a snake鈥攁re visible just five minutes along the trail. The trail contours up to an alcove where you see the 100 Hands (more like 160 Hands) panel, and beyond that is the Shaman and Hunter panel, with a bowhunting scene and collection of shaman figures wearing headpieces.

Forty miles beyond Escalante, stop and get out at the Homestead Overlook, at 9,600 feet elevation, to see the tableau of the Grand Staircase鈥揈scalante National Monument, the Kaiparowits Plateau, and the Waterpocket Fold of Capitol Reef National Park, with their oceanic deposits and sedimentary layers, red and gold desert against the bumpy skyline of the Henry Mountains. Descending, you pass the Fishaven Reservoir and may see some sandhill cranes, before winding through the treed hamlet of Boulder, volcanic rocks and basalt scattered along the roadway.

Details

Price: From $99

Address: 2020 UT-12
Escalante, UT 84726

Alison Osius is a senior editor in travel at 国产吃瓜黑料 magazine and 国产吃瓜黑料 Online. She is a longtime climber and a former editor at Climbing and Rock and Ice magazines. She’s recently written about seeing the Utah desert from a lodge made of glass sky domes; hiking the memorial Storm King Trail, scene of one of our country’s greatest firefighting tragedies; and how to approach traveling to altitude (which starts with: paying attention). Oh, and if you were wondering, here are 8 simple rules for visiting your friends in mountain and waterfront towns.

The post Want to Wake Up in Utah Canyon Country? We Do, Too. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Here鈥檚 what you need to know about , a cozy, no-frills hut that鈥檚 rented out via Airbnb in the Front Range of Colorado: it鈥檚 the most magical place to spend the night, and it鈥檚 not at all easy to get to. Sure, it鈥檚 less than an hour drive west of Denver to reach the former mining town of Silver Plume, on the edge of Interstate 70. But in the wintertime, you鈥檒l ditch your car at an I-70 exit and either ski tour, snowshoe, or ride in a vintage snowcat three miles on a snow-covered road to reach your overnight destination. In the summer months, you can drive a rugged U.S. Forest Service road in a four-wheel-drive vehicle to reach the cabin.

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Raven’s Nest Provides a Front-Row Approach to Stunning Terrain

The Location: Raven鈥檚 Nest is situated at the base of two iconic Colorado 14ers, Grays and Torreys, with summertime trail access just out the door. In the winter, ski touring or snowshoeing into the surrounding backcountry is your best bet. Mid-winter, there鈥檚 low-angle tree skiing around the hut. Come springtime, depending on conditions, you can push into the high alpine terrain, with 3,000-vertical-foot lines on some of Colorado鈥檚 most notable descents, like the Dead Dog Couloir or the Emperor Couloir, both off 14,267-foot Torreys Peak.

鈥淲e get some guests who ask if they can drive out and ski Keystone for the day, but that鈥檚 really not doable,鈥� says Darcee Mond, your Airbnb host who owns the hut with her husband, Eben. Eben and Darcee, both avid backcountry skiers, are the founders and head coaches for the freeride program at Loveland ski area, just 15 minutes up the highway, and they will be the first to tell you where to find the best snow in the area.

Why Is This Colorado Cabin So Special?

I鈥檝e stayed at Eben and Darcee鈥檚 other properties鈥攖hey manage several Airbnbs nearby鈥攁nd I appreciate their personal yet no-nonsense approach to Airbnb hosting. Everything in their homes is handmade, thoughtfully designed, and built with purpose. The Raven鈥檚 Nest鈥攏amed after their youngest son鈥攊s no different, though it鈥檚 much more minimalist and off-the-grid than their . I鈥檝e got a booking to stay at Raven鈥檚 Nest this winter to take my kids on their first-ever hut trip into the backcountry. (Eben will take you and your gear up to the hut via snowcat for an additional fee.)

Rustic Features Lead to a Super-Cozy Stay

The Specs: This is not a fancy, full-service kind of place. 鈥淲e send two full pages of information about checking in and instructions,鈥� Darcee says. 鈥淲e try to make it very clear what you鈥檙e getting into.鈥� You pack in your own sleeping bag. You clean up when you leave. You鈥檒l cook on a classic cast-iron stove or patio grill, use a simple tank toilet, and you鈥檒l need to boil water from the neighboring creek for drinking water. The hut has two bedrooms, and you can sleep up to nine in bunks and beds. These are cozy quarters; consider that when you鈥檙e planning your guest list. There is no electricity, no running water, definitely no WiFi.

It鈥檚 got the same ethos as Colorado鈥檚 better-known 10th Mountain Division Huts: Chop your own firewood for the wood-burning stove, clean up after yourself, and enjoy the hard work it takes to get there because the view from the front porch is glorious. The difference between this place and a 10th Mountain Division hut is that you鈥檒l have it all to yourself and it鈥檚 considerably easier to score a booking.

The History: The hut itself used to be a bare-bones cabin made of plywood. Eben would ski tour into the area and he noticed these run-down structures and thought, this could be something. So, he found the owner of the cabin, offered to buy the place, and in 2021, the Monds began rebuilding. From their own travels as lifelong skiers, Eben and Darcee designed their hut modeled after an Italian refugio or a Canadian alpine hut. Since they wanted to share the backcountry experience with others, they opened it as an Airbnb last year.

Why We Think This is the Coolest Airbnb in Colorado

The Winner: Don鈥檛 stay here if you want luxury accommodations, spacious quarters, or a coffee shop next door. But if you鈥檙e looking for a true getaway鈥攖he kind of quiet, out-there spot where stories are made, where hard work is rewarded, and where the backyard is literally a pair of mountains that reach toward the stars鈥攖hen you won鈥檛 find a better spot in Colorado.

Know Before You Go: Raven鈥檚 Nest rents starting at $300 a night and has a two-night minimum.

Contributing editor听Megan Michelson is an award-winning journalist who covers travel and the outdoors. She recently helped us compile our list of travel hacks you can’t live without, as well as the best outdoor festivals, and how to find last-minute campsite reservations.

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The only thing better than waking up in a mountain town is overnighting within minutes of the destination鈥檚 best trails, waterways, and ski runs鈥攁nd I learned this firsthand on a June 2024 Alaskan getaway. I鈥檇 spent several weeks hopping between national parks, including bear watching in Lake Clark and . I wasn鈥檛 ready for the adventure to end, and a stay at the new Chugach State Park-adjacent instead of downtown Anchorage, meant it didn鈥檛 have to.

I spent the 48 hours before my homebound flight strolling the property鈥檚 trails, hiking the Chugach-view loop around nearby Eklutna Lake, and crossing off an exciting wildlife spotting: the trip鈥檚 first black bear.

That鈥檚 just the start of this list鈥檚 adventure-centered digs. I scoured Airbnb for other incredible stays in the nation’s beloved mountain towns, from a waterfront abode in my lucky lower 48 aurora-hunting perch鈥擬ichigan鈥檚 Upper Peninsula鈥攖o a postcard-worthy A-frame in my favorite fall hiking spot, the Adirondacks. Here are 12 can鈥檛-miss mountain-town Airbnb homes to add to your bucket list.

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Watch Stars Shimmer Above the Chisos in Terlingua, Texas

From this dramatic Stardust Big Bend Luxury A-frame, you鈥檒l be within minutes of Terlingua鈥檚 old-western ghost town, not to mention the Maverick entrance to Big Bend National Park. But the cabin鈥檚 dramatic Chihuahuan desert surroundings, and the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook it, make it hard to leave the property. Watch from bed as the rising sun paints the Chisos peaks hues of pink and peach, or relax on the spacious deck or hammock as the desert transitions from golden hour to star-speckled night鈥攁 signature of the region鈥檚 enormous Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve. Your hangout is one of 11 cabins on the property, and it feels like a home away from home with a full kitchen, one bedroom, two beds, and one bathroom, for up to four guests. Meet your neighbors in the community game room, but note, pets are not allowed.

Squeeze in Ample 国产吃瓜黑料 Within One Hour of Anchorage Airport, Alaska

This handicap-accessible cabin is part of BlueWater Basecamp, a new collection of eight Scandinavian-style abodes set near Alaska鈥檚 Chugach State Park and roughly one hour from the Anchorage International Airport. With this proximity, you can spend your final days in Alaska hiking, biking, and wildlife watching instead of bopping between Anchorage gift shops. Teal-tinged Eklutna Lake, for example, is mere minutes from the property, with guided paddle trips and a 12-mile dirt loop around the water for biking and hiking. Wildlife such as moose and black bears are known to inhabit the area, and they may even stop by BlueWater BaseCamp for a porch safari. The pet-friendly property has three styles of abodes, including the handicap-accessible deluxe mountain cabin with room for up to six guests with two bedrooms, three beds, and one bathroom, as well as a full kitchen鈥攁 necessity given that the nearest main towns, Palmer and Eagle River, are 30 minutes away.听

Stay in a Taos Earthship Within Minutes of Stunning, Uncrowded Trails in New Mexico

This eye-popping Taos Mesa Studio Earthship is more than a place to rest your head. It鈥檚 a lesson in sustainable housing, with an off-grid design built to catch rainwater and generate its own electricity鈥攁ll while staying 72 degrees throughout the year, even on chilly desert nights. The Earthship lies 10 minutes from the , an eight-mile out-and-back route that overlooks the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument鈥檚 plains and peaks, with parallel views of the 800-feet-deep Taos gorge. Your one-bedroom, one-bathroom Earthship can welcome up to four guests thanks to a cozy, convertible daybed. Pets are welcome with a $50 fee, and the home comes with a full kitchen.

Snooze in a Snow Globe After Hitting the Breckenridge, Colorado Slopes

Enjoy endless fresh air among the Pike National Forest pines at The Deck at Quandary Peak, which allows for up to three guests. This backcountry Breckenridge home, which becomes its own glorified snow globe each winter, overlooks the Tenmile range鈥檚 highest peak, Mount Quandary. You鈥檒l have quick access to the Breck ski lift and town center within 15 minutes. The cabin, with its hygge-inspired aesthetic, includes one bedroom with two beds, one bathroom, and a full kitchen. Relax among the conifers on the fairy-light-adorned deck, or nap by the cozy indoor fireplace after a long day on the slopes. You鈥檒l need a 4WD vehicle to reach the home, and tire chains are required for winter visit. Pets are not allowed.

Overnight Beside a New York Adirondacks Lake鈥擪ayaks Included

New York鈥檚 Adirondack Park is a four-season getaway, and few overnights immerse you in the changing landscape like this picturesque Lakefront A-frame Cabin on Stoner Lakes. Enjoy the mirror-still water from the fire ring, or hop aboard the kayaks that come with the property for a scenic paddle. The mountain town of Caroga Lake, set in the Adirondack foothills, is a 15-minute drive south. Head there for , fishing, or snowmobiling. Or, travel 10 minutes north of your cabin to tackle the steep 3.5-mile out-and-back up Good Luck Mountain. Royal Mountain Ski Area鈥檚 13 trails are a short 20 minutes south of you, too. Up to six guests (and pets) can enjoy this two-bedroom, three-bed, and one-bath getaway. (Note: this is a three-night minimum stay.)

Catch Shut-Eye in a Treehouse Near Park City, Utah鈥檚 Best Runs

Park City鈥檚 Dreamy Living Cabin puts the 鈥渢ree鈥� in treehouse, with a 200-year-old fir jutting up through its airy wood-paneled interior. The getaway, which glows with natural light from the 270-degree glass windows, sits at 8,000 feet elevation. It鈥檚 just north of the protected woodlands, where hiking trails give travelers the chance to spot moose, porcupines, and eagles. Park City downtown and its many ski hangouts, such as , lie roughly 30 minutes south of your stay. The property is also less than one hour from the Salt Lake City Airport. It鈥檚 a great getaway for two, with one bedroom, one bathroom, a full kitchen, and a large deck that overlooks the soaring Uintas. Pets are not allowed. (Note: this is a two-night minimum stay.)

Doze Beneath the Tetons in Jackson, Wyoming鈥檚 Dreamy Geodesic Domes

A sprinkling of 11 heated geodesic dwellings, known as Tammah Jackson Hole Domes, plunge guests into Wyoming鈥檚 jaw-dropping wilderness, with views of the jagged Tetons best enjoyed from your cozy king-sized bed. Overnights at this Airbnb include free breakfast, in-dome telescopes, and ensuite bathrooms. The property also has a shared sauna and firepit鈥攖he perfect way to share stories after a in Grand Teton National Park; its Granite Canyon entrance is five minutes north by car. For skiing and snowboarding, is also a five-minute drive away. Each 540-square-foot dome fits two guests maximum; pets are welcome.

Overnight in a Grain Silo in Kalispell, Montana

Add some farm feels to your mountain-town escape by sleeping in a converted grain silo with views of Montana鈥檚 peak-laden Flathead Valley. These metal accommodations have it all: a kitchenette, loft bedroom, two beds, and one bathroom, not to mention an outdoor fire pit for watching the Rocky Mountain landscape change from blue-sky day to gold-tinged dusk. Don鈥檛 head to sleep early on the star-splashed night skies, either. Start the day with a stroll along the 80-acre farm鈥檚 walking trails, or, when the powder hits, try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing the farm routes. Glacier National Park is a 30-minute drive north, while 3,000 skiable acres are around 50 minutes northwest. Downtown Kalispell鈥檚 delicious breweries are a 10-minute drive from your silo. Pets are not allowed.

Crash Beside the Tennessee River in This Cozy Chattanooga Cabin with a Watchtower

Soak up the Tennessee River Gorge鈥檚 grandeur from a pet-friendly waterfront cabin in the heart of this dramatic river canyon. The two-bedroom, five-bed, and one-bathroom Chattanooga-adjacent house can welcome up to eight guests with plenty of water adventures onsite, from angling on the Tennessee riverbank to paddling with the property鈥檚 rentable kayaks. Climb the cabin鈥檚 scenic watchtower to scout for wildlife like ospreys, bald eagles, and deer, or catch more flora and fauna from the nearby hiking jaunts, including six-mile out-and-back Snoopers Rock Trail, roughly a 30-minute drive away. Snag a view of the 100-foot-tall Julia Falls roughly 20 minutes to the east; it鈥檚 among the most scenic stops on the over 300-mile .

Bunk-Up Near Trailheads and Slopes in Picturesque Stowe, Vermont

Sleep within steps of your hiking path at the Cady Hill Trail House, a one-bedroom, one-bathroom guesthouse in the quintessential New England town of Stowe, Vermont. The two-guest home, complete with a full kitchen, is surrounded by the charming , home to over 11 miles of trails鈥攁nd a profusion of color when the leaves change each fall. Stowe鈥檚 many breweries, cafes, and restaurants are just five minutes away; the 116 ski trails at are within 10 minutes driving, too. Guest have ample outdoor space to store gear like bikes, skis, and snowshoes. In addition to ambles, the Cady Hill trail network welcomes skiers, snowshoers, and mountain bikers depending on the season. Pets are not allowed. (Note: this is a two-night minimum stay.)

Sleep in a South Dakota Firetower Near Mount Rushmore

Play fire lookout for a night鈥攐r week鈥攆rom this firetower-inspired getaway within minutes of South Dakota鈥檚 Custer State Park, where bison now abound. An array of park trails are within a 25-minute drive of your tower, including , which weaves by dramatic van-sized boulders for three miles, or the take the route up , South Dakota鈥檚 highest point. Cross Mount Rushmore off your bucket list while you鈥檙e here; it鈥檚 30 minutes northeast by car. This one-bedroom, 1.5-bath tower, built for two guests, comes with a full kitchen, wrap-around deck, and a common area with a firepit and yard games. Pets are not allowed.

Catch Zzzs After Watching for Northern Lights Near Michigan鈥檚 Porcupine Mountains

One of Michigan鈥檚 best-kept secrets, the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (better known as the Porkies), lies within 15 minutes of this Lake Superior Beach House鈥攁 two-bedroom and two-bath abode with a full kitchen and sweeping turquoise water views. The Porkies offer all sorts of Great Lakes adventures: ascending the world鈥檚 tallest artificial ski jump, ; fishing or taking a dip in the photogenic Lake of the Clouds; or schlepping up the steep half-mile route to the , which offers views as far as Isle Royale National Park on a clear day. Back at the cabin, relax by the indoor fireplace or hang outside after dusk to watch for one of the Upper Peninsula鈥檚 greatest treats: the aurora borealis. Select pets are allowed upon request. (Note: this is a four-night minimum stay.)

Want more of 国产吃瓜黑料鈥檚 travel stories? .

When she鈥檚 not staying in cool places around the world, adventure and astrotourism writer Stephanie Vermillion chases comets and northern lights, and hunts the best stargazing in dark sky zones. Her upcoming book will be out December 3.

The post The 12 Coziest Mountain-Town Airbnbs in the U.S. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Any number of concerns are on our radar as we plan our next trip, from serious issues like how destinations are working to mitigate tourists鈥� environmental impact to inconveniences like months-long passport wait times. In this column, we’ll be addressing your questions about how to navigate the world.

The other day I read that bedbugs are now in all 50 states and turning up in more and more hotels, even nice ones. I travel regularly, so this makes me nervous. How can I avoid bedbugs, and what’s the worst that can happen if I am bit? Also, if by chance they hitchhike back to my own home and start an infestation, what do I do? Eeeek! That鈥檚 my nightmare. 鈥擝ugged Out

Your fears are totally valid. A few years ago, when I was hiking in Morocco鈥檚 Atlas Mountains, I started experiencing a burning, itching sensation two hours into my five-hour trek. It was so intense that not even the surrounding snowcapped peaks could distract my urge to scratch. When my guide stopped to prepare mint tea, I finally yanked up the right sleeve of my puffy. A zigzag of tiny red bumps on my forearm confirmed my suspicion: bedbugs.

Two weeks earlier, at a conference in Marrakech, several attendees showed up with pocked faces, the result of staying at a bedbug-infested hotel in the Atlas Mountains where I was scheduled to overnight post-conference before my trek. Surely the owner would have taken care of the situation by then, I rationalized; plus, I鈥檇 only be there one night.

The line of swollen, tingling bites on my arm were proof that the hotel owner had not exterminated. By the time my guide and I reached our cabin, my skin felt like I鈥檇 rolled around in poison ivy and then was attacked by no-see-ums. It was unrelenting. Worse to me, though, was the horrifying thought of parasites crawling all over me as I slept. As fate would have it, the cabin and the previous hotel were both owned by the same proprietor; terrified of once again becoming a midnight snack, I opted to bunk in the bathtub for the next three nights.

Few bugs are as psychologically disturbing as bedbugs. By day, they lurk undetected, and by night, they emerge from the crevices of bed frames, seams of mattresses, and cracks of walls and floorboards to stick their beak into our skin and suck our blood for up to ten minutes. The bug鈥檚 saliva contains an anesthetic that numbs the skin, so you never feel the bite, and the resulting red, swollen bumps could take anywhere from one to several days to even appear.

The good news is that bedbugs aren鈥檛 poisonous, nor are they known to carry diseases. In rare cases, bites can cause anaphylaxis, but most people simply experience itchiness like I did. (Still others have no reaction at all.) When I got back to Marrakech, I was able to buy a skin cream with hydrocortisone to help calm the irritation, and upon return to the States, my dermatologist, who said I had an extreme reaction, suggested an oral antihistamine, like Benadryl. It took my bites over two weeks to disappear, but in most cases they鈥檙e gone within a week.

If you have been bitten, however, there鈥檚 something else to worry about: any stowaways that have crawled into your belongings. If these are pesticide-resistant, they鈥檙e a true pain to get rid of if they make it to your home.

After my trip to Morocco, I planned to move into a new apartment. The lease mentioned repercussions for any tenant found responsible for bringing in bedbugs, and at the time I remember thinking, Gross! What dirty person carries bedbugs?

But equating dirt with bedbugs or unclean establishments is a myth. They can be found in the cheapest hostels and the finest luxury resorts. 鈥淯nlike flies, bedbugs are not attracted to decay or the build-up of organic matter,鈥� says Eric Braun, a board-certified entomologist and technical-service manager for Philadelphia-based Ehrlich Pest Control. 鈥淏edbugs can be found anywhere there鈥檚 a population of people available to feed on.鈥�

Not willing to risk a bedbug breakout in my new apartment, I made the tough choice of leaving my luggage, including Berber carpets I鈥檇 splurged on, in Morocco. I also swore I鈥檇 never lazily throw my luggage on, or at the bottom of, my hotel-room bed again. Jim Fredericks, chief entomologist for the National Pest Management Association in Fairfax, Virginia, later explained to me that bedbugs are attracted to warmth and carbon dioxide. After a meal, they don鈥檛 always return to their original hiding place. Sometimes they head to any crack or crevice close to the host鈥攖ypically within five feet鈥攁nd seams of backpacks and luggage are particularly inviting, especially if they鈥檙e nearby.

When I told friends about my traumatizing misadventure, many shared their own bedbug horror story. As the media have reported in recent years, these insects, a terror to people for centuries, are on the rise yet again. According to the National Pest Management Association, one in five Americans has either been affected by the parasites personally or knows someone who has. In France, bedbugs have become such a menace, they鈥檙e considered a .

Hotels are particularly susceptible, due to the transient nature of their guests. One of the most recent , released in 2017 and conducted by Atlanta-based pest-management company Orkin, found that eight of ten U.S. hotels had dealt with bedbugs during the previous year. (And more recently, as reported in , Chicago ranked as the number one city in the nation for bedbug problems last year, followed by New York and Philadelphia.)

The pandemic has since highlighted a clear correlation between travel and bedbug occurrences, says Braun. 鈥淎s travel slowed, so did the number of bedbug sightings and reports,鈥� he says. 鈥淎s more people resume travel, we are noticing an uptick in bedbug reports for the hotel and hospitality industry.鈥�

According to an American Hotel and Lodging Association spokesperson, 鈥淥ur members take the health and safety of their guests very seriously, and that includes ensuring pest-control procedures are in place to prevent and eradicate any pests, including bedbugs.鈥�

Can you avoid something that only comes out at night, is the size of an apple seed, and may or may not have chosen a new home in your belongings? The answer is: possibly, armed with the information below and diligence. And if you do fall prey, these smart strategies will help you deal with bites and infected luggage.

Always Check Your Room for Signs of Bedbugs Before Settling In

is a free source of bedbug reports that lets you search by specific hotel. But that alone won鈥檛 be enough. Upon checking into your hotel, inspection is key. Resist the urge to flop down on your bed, and don鈥檛 unpack until you do a thorough room scan, says Fredericks.

鈥淧ull back the sheets, and inspect the mattress seams and box springs鈥攑articularly at the corners鈥攆or pepper-like stains, spots, or bedbug skins,鈥� he says. 鈥淒o not place luggage on upholstered surfaces. The safest place is in the bathroom in the middle of a tile floor, or on a luggage rack after it鈥檚 been thoroughly inspected. Do not use a luggage rack if it has hollow legs, where bedbugs may hide unseen.鈥�

Bedbugs have flattened, wingless oval bodies and are red-brown in color. Because they are nocturnal, they can be difficult to detect during daylight hours, as they tend to hide in tight, dark spaces. According to Braun, three telltale signs include fecal spotting, which are stains the bugs leave behind and resemble black Sharpie marks on fabric or small bubbles on hard surfaces; cast skins, the exoskeletons from previous molts; and blood smears, indicative of a crushed bedbug.

Identifying a Bedbug Bite and Next Steps

鈥淧eople usually don鈥檛 notice or wake up when bitten,鈥� says Fredericks. 鈥淎lthough the bite is painless at the time of the attack, most people develop an allergic reaction to the saliva that is transmitted during the bite鈥攖his is what causes bites to become red, itchy, and swollen.鈥� Bedbug bites, he says, tend to be found in a linear or zigzag pattern, and anti-itch creams can be used to provide relief.

Immediately alert management of your suspicion. (In Morocco, I complained to the hotel owner, and he offered to compensate me for my losses.) Do not agree to move to a room adjacent or directly above or below the suspected infestation, says Fredericks, because 鈥渂edbugs can easily hitchhike via housekeeping carts, luggage, and even through wall sockets. If an infestation is spreading, it typically does so in the rooms closest to the origin.鈥� Hotels should reach out to certified pest-control specialists, who will vacuum, steam, or use heat treatments, and in some cases use , to rectify the problem.

Now it鈥檚 time to address your luggage. Anything that can be laundered should immediately be placed in the dryer at a high-temperature setting, as heat will kill the bedbug and its eggs, says Changlu Wang, a professor at Rutgers University鈥檚 entomology department. Afterward, pack the clean clothing in plastic bags to prevent reexposure. If you find bedbugs in or on something that cannot be laundered, he suggests freezing the items for three to four days, though he says a home freezer may not be cold enough, as most experts recommend minus four degrees Fahrenheit.

Things to Consider Upon Your Return Home

Inspect your suitcases outdoors before bringing them into the house, advises Fredericks. Thoroughly vacuum your suitcase before storing it. Consider using a garment hand steamer on your luggage, which can kill any bedbugs or eggs that may have made the trip home with you. Wash and dry all of your clothes. And if you suspect there鈥檚 a chance any hitchhiking bugs may have escaped your vigilance, Fredericks recommends contacting a licensed pest professional in a timely manner鈥攜ou can鈥檛 expect to eradicate them yourself. 鈥淏edbugs,鈥� he says, and as the following video demonstrates, 鈥渁re not DIY pests.鈥�

The post Bedbugs Are on the Rise in U.S. Hotels. Here鈥檚 How to Avoid Them. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Try to picture a national-park lodge. You鈥檙e likely conjuring up images of hand-hewn timber frames, large granite-encrusted fireplaces, and exposed wooden beams, right? That鈥檚 no accident. These aesthetics are all a part of style, or, as it鈥檚 more colloquially called, Parkitecture.

When the National Park Service (NPS) was formed in 1916, public-land managers were caught in a bit of a pickle鈥攂uilding infrastructure to accommodate growing visitation while preserving natural and cultural resources for future generations. The Rustic style park lodges were created to accommodate the early visitors who often arrived after multiday train journeys. I鈥檝e had the privilege of exploring and dining at a handful of these storied structures, and, trust me, they are as impressive today as they were when they first opened.

This groundbreaking architectural movement was conceived with the intention of designing buildings to blend into, rather than impose upon, the landscape. Log columns and stone chimneys were created out of native materials. Dramatically sloping roofs drew the eye up and toward nearby mountains, and windows were strategically placed to give guests exquisite natural views from every room, while grand dining halls and lounge areas encouraged visitors to gather and mingle, a hallmark of the new 鈥渘ational park experience.鈥�

Though dozens of options for accommodation exist inside national-park boundaries, some retain the original grandeur and spirit of the original 20th-century Parkitecture. Below are 20 of our favorite national-park lodges, with cozy amenities, rustic decor, and histories as diverse as the parks themselves.

And a word about making reservations: book early, the further ahead, the better. These places fill up fast, and some allow reservations over a year in advance. It’s best to check each lodge’s website to find out when reservations open up and to mark that date on your calendar. Also, you can contact the lodges to ask about cancellations, which do happen. Prices vary with season.

1. The Ahwahnee, Yosemite National Park, California

Set in a wildflower-speckled meadow at the base of the Royal Arches (a series of enormous natural granite arches up a 2,000-foot wall) in Yosemite Valley, The was designed by the legendary parks architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood and built from 1925 to 1927. The 121-room hotel, named after the Miwok word for Yosemite Valley as the 鈥減lace of the gaping mouth,鈥� is recognized as a National Historic Landmark and often considered the crown jewel of national-park lodges.

The first things I always notice in approaching The Ahwahnee are its sweeping green slate roofs that draw the eye up toward immense granite walls, while shaded wooden terraces and huge rock columns help the lodge mesh with its surroundings. Inside, visitors will find a dining hall with 34-foot-high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows, plus elegant suites and a Great Lounge with soft armchairs, sofas, and a vintage brick fireplace, perfect for evening cocoa and chats with other park-goers after the Valley trails or climbing on its walls.

HOW TO BOOK IT

The lodge schedules reservations a year and a day in advance, and the reservations can be made up to seven days out from the first day. Book on the website or call 888-413-8869. Note that The Ahwahnee will be closed January 2 to March 2, 2023, for seismic upgrades and other renovations.

For our complete travel guide to Yosemite National Park, click here. For a guide to a dozen best hikes in Yosemite, click here.

2. Many Glacier Hotel, Glacier National Park, Montana

On the shoreline of shimmering Swiftcurrent Lake sits , a 215-room Swiss-style chalet and the largest inn in Glacier National Park. When first promoting the park to potential visitors in the early 1900s, the Great Northern Railway, which transported most guests to the area, used slogans like 鈥淎merica鈥檚 Switzerland鈥� and 鈥淭he American Alps,鈥� urging travelers to skip pricey trips to Europe and 鈥淪ee America First.鈥� As a result, Many Glacier, built by the railway in 1914 and 1915, embodies the storybook-style Germanic architecture often associated with the Alps; the Swiss style originated in Germany, inspired by the elements of the mountains and alpine world.

Partially renovated in 2016, the building still features all the cut-out wood detailing and earth-toned terraces of yesteryear, with view-filled lounges, exposed log beams, and a three-story lobby with a Chickering baby grand piano. At night, the serves up scrumptious Continental cuisine and Montana microbrews, which you can enjoy while gazing at the panoramic backdrop of the northern Rockies, perhaps after you have just been hiking, biking, or climbing there.

HOW TO BOOK IT

Reservations open the first day of the same month in which guests would like to visit the following year, and can be made through the lodge website, or by calling 888-297-2757.

For our complete guide to Glacier National Park, click here.听

3. The Inn at Death Valley, Death Valley, California

Built in 1927, the Inn at Death Valley has long served as a hangout and hideaway for California鈥檚 high society. Once frequented by actors Clark Gable, Marlon Brando, and Carole Lombard, the Inn recently completed a five-year $150 million renovation, bringing back its former stateliness for modern park guests.

Situated in the California side of the park (which stretches east into Nevada), in the popular tourist hub of Furnace Creek, the 88-room inn is just a stone鈥檚 throw from the hiking hot spots of Golden Canyon and Zabriskie Point. The hotel exudes SoCal Spanish (Spanish Mission) style, from its terra-cotta tile roof and spring-fed swimming pool to its walking paths through shady date palms. Remote and sunbaked, the Inn lets you imagine the roaring twenties, the early forty-niners hastening to the Gold Rush, and the Timbisha Shoshone who once used the freshwater oasis. My favorite dining spot in the park, the kitschy Last Kind Words Saloon, is just a mile away in Furnace Creek.

HOW TO BOOK IT

Reservations open the first day of the same month in which guests would like to visit the following year, and can be made through the lodge website, or by calling 888-297-2757.

For our complete guide to Death Valley National Park, click here.

4. El Tovar Hotel, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Designed by Charles Whittlesey, chief architect for the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway, the opened its doors in 1905. Perched on a high ledge along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, looking down at the Colorado River, the structure has, to me, always felt slightly out of place in the desert Southwest of Arizona; that鈥檚 because it was designed to emulate a Norwegian-style villa to match the tastes of high society at a time when Western Europe was the epitome of refinement.

Once considered the most elegant hotel west of the Mississippi, the 78-room El Tovar still impresses with many trappings of a cornerstone national-park lodge: its large lounge is wrapped in hewn Oregon pine, other spaces feature cobblestone fireplaces, and a handsome dining room offers dark wood paneling, vintage light fixtures, and murals reflecting the customs of four local tribes鈥搕he Hopi, Apache, Mojave, and Navajo.

HOW TO BOOK IT

Reservations open the first day of the same month in which guests would like to visit the following year, and can go through the lodge website,听 or 888-297-2757.

For our complete guide to Grand Canyon National Park, click here.

5. Jenny Lake Lodge, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

What was once a rustic, 1930s-era dude ranch for up to 65 guests is now a AAA Four Diamond resort at the foot of the serrated peaks and steep canyons of the Teton Range. is comprised of 37 historic log cabins, with updated interiors that include tiled bathrooms, braided rugs, quilted bedspreads, and plush lounge chairs. With easy hiking access to three glacier-fed lakes鈥擲tring, Leigh, and, of course, Jenny鈥攁 scenic bike path, and a communal dining room overlooking the iconic mountains (and serving some of the destination鈥檚 best food), these once humble casitas now boast the best location in the park.

HOW TO BOOK IT

Visit the lodge website or call 307-543-3100. Reservations can be made one year in advance.

For our complete guide to Grand Teton National Park, click here.

6. Lake Crescent Lodge, Olympic National Park, Washington

Nestled between towering firs and hemlocks, the makes a pretty epic base camp for exploring the Olympic Peninsula. Built in 1915, the 55-guestroom lodge is ideally situated between the park鈥檚 mountainous Hurricane Ridge area and driftwood-strewn beaches like Rialto and Second. A Victorian-era sunroom beckons visitors to kick back and enjoy the scenery, while an antique-furnished lobby with a stone fireplace is the place to hang out after hiking the Hoh Rainforest. Book a Roosevelt Fireplace Cabin for the best views of the water.

HOW TO BOOK IT

Visit the lodge website or call 888-896-3818. Operating season for this year is April 29 through January 1, 2023.

For our complete guide to Olympic National Park, click here.

7. Big Meadows Lodge, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Named for a wide grassy field near the hotel where deer often graze, arose through the work of the 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps, as funded by the New Deal, a massive push to add infrastructure to the national parks while providing much-needed jobs.

Full of fascinating details, such as the use of native chestnut wood paneling from trees that are now nearly extinct, Big Meadows offers 29 rooms in the main building and 72 others ranging from multi-unit lodges to stand-alone cabins with fireplaces. After a day exploring Shenandoah鈥檚 Skyline Drive (Big Meadows sits at mile 51), grab a plate of pan-seared trout and a slice of blackberry-ice-cream pie at the .

HOW TO BOOK IT

Visit the lodge website or call 877-847-1919. The lodge takes reservations 13 months in advance, and October is by far the busiest time. The lodge will close November 6 and reopen in mid-April.

For our complete guide to Shenandoah National Park, click here.

8. Old Faithful Inn, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Designed by Robert Reamer and built in 1903 and 1904, the 327-room is famed as the largest log structure in the world, at 700 feet long and seven stories high. Simply walking into its 92-foot-high lobby is an awesome experience; I craned my neck in wonder at its twisted log brackets and the lodgepole columns soaring past a central stone chimney quarried from nearby Black Sand Basin.

This varnished woodsy wonder of a building was intentionally constructed around a prominent view of the most famous geyser in the country, Old Faithful, and hotel guests can request rooms with views of the geothermally active Geyser Basin that contains other spouts as well. Meals at the property鈥檚 Obisidian Dining Room were once accompanied by a string quartet, and though that鈥檚 now absent, modern park visitors are still treated to hearty dishes (like locally sourced bison burgers and smoked-trout ravioli) in the updated restaurant.

HOW TO BOOK IT

Reservations open the fifth day of the same month in which guests would like to visit the following year, and can be made through the lodge website, or by calling 888-297-2757.

For our complete guide to Yellowstone National Park, click here.

9. Glacier Park Lodge, Glacier National Park, Montana

Often referred to as the Big Tree Lodge, was the first of several Swiss-chalet-style accommodations built in then newly formed Glacier National Park. Opened to the public in 1913, the 161-room lodge is located just outside the eastern side of the park on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and offers excellent access to the waterfalls and hiking paths near Two Medicine Lake.

Helmed by architect Samuel Bartlett, the hotel features an incredible forest-themed lobby with soaring Douglas fir timbers, each over 40 feet tall and up to three feet in diameter. Modern guest rooms are designed to embody the Parkitecture style, with Native artwork, wood furnishings, and cowboy-inspired textiles. For tasty post-adventure eats (Moose Drool poutine, anyone?), it doesn鈥檛 get much better than the menu at the Great Northern Dining Room, with its stunning floor-to-ceiling views.

HOW TO BOOK IT

The lodge released 2023 bookings in mid January of this past year and will release 2024 bookings in mid January of 2023, for May through September. Book on the lodge’s website or call 406-892-2525.

For our complete guide to Glacier National Park, click here.

10. Zion Lodge, Zion National Park, Utah

Completed in 1925, was designed by Gilbert Stanley Underwood, an architect well-known for his work on Bryce Canyon Lodge and the Ahwahnee. After an alliance was forged between the Union Pacific Railway and the NPS, permitting construction on protected park land, the lodge was created in the heart of the area using untreated natural logs and locally sourced sandstone to help it blend into Zion鈥檚 craggy vermillion walls and pi帽on pines. Nearly a century later, this historic hotel, with 76 rooms, six suites, and 40 cabins, is home to easy hiking access, hosts , and offers well-appointed cabins and suites, plus Southwestern fare like Navajo fry-bread tacos at Red Rock Grill.

HOW TO BOOK IT

Reservations open the first day of the same month in which guests would like to visit the following year, and can be made on the lodge website, or by calling 888-297-2757.

For our complete guide to Zion National Park, click here.

11. Far View Lodge, Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

Phenomenal views of the Four Corners region, Native-inspired textiles, and custom-handcrafted furniture await guests at , the only in-park lodging at Mesa Verde. Although this lodge, completed in 1974, is newer than many park hotels on our list, its minimalist design and rust-tinted exterior epitomize the NPS ethic of blending into the surrounding landscape: the red buttes and mesa tops of southwestern Colorado. Situated a short drive from must-see sites like Cliff Palace, Far View, and Long House, the 150-room hotel occupies the most central location in the park, and its signature dining option, the Metate Room, is a wonderful spot to kick back and enjoy the sunset.

HOW TO BOOK IT

Far View Lodge closed for winter on October 26, 2022, and will reopen April 14, 2023. To book, check the lodge website or call 800-449-2288. Though the facility is closed, the concessionaire is still taking reservations and is accepting them through 2023 ending in October.

For our 63 Parks Traveler guide to Mesa Verde National Park, click here.

12. Grant Grove Cabins, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California

It鈥檚 hard to argue with wood-shingled fairy-tale cabins set within walking distance of听 鈥�.鈥� Located in Grant Grove Village, on the western edge of Kings Canyon, vary from more modern 1940s-style duplex cottages with private baths to rustic canvas-sided tent cabins (large tents on platforms). Pro tip: rent the Honeymoon Cabin if you鈥檙e keen on national park history; it鈥檚 the oldest standing structure in the village. There are nine cabins and 17 tent cabins.

HOW TO BOOK IT

Closed now, the cabins are anticipated to reopen April 14, 2023, and the tent cabins to open on May 12, 2023. Book on the lodge’s website or by calling 866-807-3598. Reservations may be made up to a year in advance.

For our complete guide to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, click here.

13. Paradise Inn, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Yet another Swiss-chalet-style structure on our list is Mount Rainier鈥檚 , constructed from 1916 to 1917 and located 19 miles from the southwestern Nisqually Entrance. Boasting one of the first ski lifts in the region, the 121-guestroom lodge once hosted Olympic Trials and housed a guide service led by Lou Whittaker, renowned as the first American to climb Mount Everest. Today鈥檚 inn has since modernized, but it retains some of the semi-rustic characteristics of its days of old: showers and restrooms are located down the hall, and there are no televisions, telephones, or internet service (but hot water and electricity are available鈥攏ot to worry). If you鈥檙e jonesing for a private bath after a day in the wilderness, book one of the property鈥檚 annex rooms.

HOW TO BOOK IT

Paradise Inn is closed for the season, to reopen May 20, 2023, typically operating until October. Reservations can be made on the inn’s website or by calling 855-755-2275.

For our 63 Parks Traveler Guide to Rainier National Park, click here.

14. Wuksachi Lodge, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California

, built in 1999, is a fantastic example of a modern effort at creating iconic NPS accommodations right at the center of a park鈥檚 most popular sights. After Giant Forest Village鈥攁 1920s-era complex designed by Gilbert Stanley Underwood鈥攚as carefully demolished to prevent further damage to vegetation and soils, Sequoia planned for and built a new lodging hub set nine miles farther north, an easy drive from some of my favorite Giant Forest hikes, like the three-mile Congress Trail.

Thanks to the 102-guestroom lodge鈥檚 modern-day construction, amenities like private baths and mini fridges didn鈥檛 have to be shoehorned in, as with many properties on this list. Guest rooms are also more spacious and offer central heating, flat-panel TVs, and ski racks for winter adventurers who want to hit the marked trails right outside the lodge. The Peaks restaurant with outstanding views is available for indoor dining, while hungry hikers perfecting their dirtbag suntans might prefer to chill outside on the pizza deck.

HOW TO BOOK IT

Visit the lodge’s website or call 866-807-3598. The lodge may stay open all year; it had announced no winter closure date at time of publication. Reservations are taken one year in advance.

For our complete guide to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, click here.

15. Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

is as charming today as it was in 1936, the year of its debut, and it鈥檚 notable as one of the few Yellowstone lodges that remains open in both summer and winter (with several weeks鈥� closure during the shoulder seasons). Come summer, the 222-room facility is the best spot in the north side of the park for hikers and wildlife lovers (elk are often seen grazing right outside), while winter heralds the opening of the Bear Den Ski Shop, where guests can rent cross-country skis or book guided snowshoeing trips. Though you won鈥檛 find air-conditioning at this establishment, there are surprisingly sophisticated amenities, like hot-tub cabins and an in-park espresso bar.

HOW TO BOOK IT

Reservations open the fifth day of the same month in which guests would like to visit the following year, and can be made on the lodge website, or by calling 888-297-2757. Will open December 15, closing March 6, 2023, and open again on April 28, 2023, closing November 26 (dates subject to change).

For our complete guide to Yellowstone National Park, click here.

17. Volcano House, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

is one of those mystical, only-in-the-national-parks hotels. After all, where else can you nab a room and a meal with views of an active crater? Structures on the rim of Kilauea are said to predate an 1824 grass hut erected by Chiefess Kapiolani and her entourage, while the first iteration of the Volcano House hotel was contructed in 1877, and the hotel as it currently stands dates back to 1941.

Significantly remodeled in 2013, this 33-room lodge has been refreshed to its 1940s luster, with polished jade-hued floors, vintage crown moldings, and a fierce bronze statue of the goddess Pele in the lobby, sculpted by Honolulu artist Marguerite Blassingame. Guest rooms feature tropical touches like bamboo-accent furniture, befitting their island locale. I鈥檇 recommend grabbing a fruity cocktail and a sashimi trio at Uncle George’s Lounge after traversing the along the Kilauea summit caldera.

HOW TO BOOK IT

Visit the website or call 808-756-9625, especially for late availability that may not show on the website. May through September is the busy season, followed by slow months and more availability. Reservations are taken a year in advance.

For our 63 Parks Traveler guide to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, click here.

18. Lake McDonald Lodge, Glacier National Park, Montana

In a country brimming with historic national-park lodges, the concentration in Glacier surely takes the cake. Built in 1913 in the Swiss Alps style so prevalent at the turn of the century, the 82-guest room , 11 miles from the West Glacier entrance, features all of the fabulous amenities one might expect from a historic NPS hotel: multiple dining options, a cozy reading room, evening ranger programs, and the park鈥檚 iconic Red Bus tours, which pull up right out front. Two years ago, I spent a glorious sunset traipsing from the lodge鈥檚 dreamy, storybook exterior straight out to the wooden dock overlooking the eponymous lake; the space oozes wistfulness.

Guest rooms are what hoteliers refer to as 鈥渞ustic, yet comfortable鈥濃�攊.e., no air-conditioning, no elevators, and no televisions鈥攂ut you won鈥檛 need them with the breathtaking vistas of Lake McDonald outside your window. Feeling intrepid? Book a hostel-style bunk room in the complex鈥檚 Snyder Hall. Just bring your slippers for nighttime visits to the shared bathrooms.

HOW TO BOOK IT

Reservations open the first day of the same month in which guests would like to visit the following year, and can be made on the lodge website, or by calling 888-297-2757.

For our complete guide to Glacier National Park, click here.

19. Bright Angel Lodge and Cabins, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Mary Jane Colter, the of Hopi House, Hermits Rest, and Phantom Ranch鈥攖hree other iconic locations within this park鈥攄esigned the arts and crafts鈥搃nfluenced , which opened to the public in 1935. At a time when the El Tovar Hotel was considered much more luxurious, Colter redesigned and elevated this primo South Rim property, once the site of the shabby Bright Angel Camp, to its current glory.

The place encompasses 39 lodge guestrooms and 50 historic cabins. Interiors are accentuated by Southwest and Mission-inspired furnishings, historic photographs, and colorful textiles, while the exteriors of its quaint cabins feature log facades. History buffs might want to spring for the Buckey O’Neill Cabin, a circa-1890 suite once home to one of Theodore Roosevelt鈥檚 Rough Riders.

HOW TO BOOK IT

Reservations open the first day of the same month in which guests would like to visit the following year, and can be made on the lodge website, or by calling 888-297-2757.

For our complete guide to Grand Canyon National Park, click here.

19. Kalaloch Lodge, Olympic National Park, Washington

Watching the sun set over the wild Pacific Ocean is the experience. The 64-unit hotel, built in 1953, invites guests to step back to a simpler time, one without in-room telephones or Wi-Fi. With its central location between the Hoh and Quinault Rainforests, its adorable pet-friendly cabins, and easy access to quiet beaches, Kalaloch makes exploring the diverse Olympic Peninsula a breeze.

After a day of adventuring in the park, chow down on sustainably sourced seafood at its Creekside Restaurant, which also features expansive ocean views.

HOW TO BOOK IT

Visit the lodge’s website to make reservations or call 866-662-9969. The lodge is open every day all year and takes reservations 13 months in advance. Its website recommends making reservations at least four months ahead for summer visits, six months for extended stays, but notes often being able to accommodate last-minute requests, so check online or call.

For our complete guide to Olympic National Park, click here.

20. Chisos Mountains Lodge, Big Bend National Park, Texas

Situated at the base of the Casa Grande Peak, at an elevation of 5,400 feet, the 72-room听 is not what most people think of when planning a visit to the mostly flat Lone Star State. But Big Bend is full of surprises, and this hidden gem is nestled in its most stunning (and centrally located) hiking area. Visitors can walk right out of their rooms and onto the famous Window Trail, summit 7,832-foot Emory Peak, or, as I did during my sojourn, spend a full day on the 12-mile South Rim Trail. Digs are simple, with wooden Mission-inspired furnishings and colorful comforters, but it鈥檚 hard to beat the vistas of dramatic rocky outcroppings and the high-altitude conifers of Chisos Basin. An on-site restaurant, the Mountain View, offers Tex-Mex and American fare, plus more of those outstanding mountain views.

HOW TO BOOK IT

Check the lodge website or call 877-386-4383. On January 1, 2023, the lodge will open bookings for all of 2024. Open year-round, it is the only lodging within Big Bend National Park.

For our complete guide to Big Bend National Park, click here.

Emily Pennington is a freelance adventure journalist based in Los Angeles. She has visited 62 U.S. national parks (with only American Samoa National Park to go). Her book, Feral: Losing Myself and Finding My Way in America鈥檚 National Parks, is due out in February (Little A/Amazon Publishing).

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