16 Airbnbs Within an Hour of a National Park
National parks were among the first destinations to reopen to the public last year—if they closed at all—as COVID-19 stay-at-home orders loosened. Now, Americans are flocking to the most stunning natural areas in the U.S., and filling up the campsites and on-site hotels in the process. But you're not too late to find accommodations near your favorite national park: There are treehouses just outside Montana's Glacier National Park, cozy studios near South Carolina's Congaree National Park, and A-frames, of course, adjacent to Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state. Below, you'll find Airbnbs within an hour radius of some of the country's most famous parks—and a few lesser-known (read: less-crowded) parks as well.
While we have not stayed in every Airbnb featured, unless otherwise stated, these listings are vetted based on Superhost status, amenities, location, previous guest reviews, and decor. This gallery was originally published in June 2020. It has been updated with new information.
All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
- Courtesy Airbnb
Yellowstone National Park
Livingston, Montana
Located 45 minutes from Yellowstone's north entrance, this two-bedroom abode— complete with its own kitchen, living space, and multiple patios with views of Montana's splendor—is a part of Erik's Ranch, a multi-guesthouse ranch that hires young adults with autism as tour guides, chefs, horse handlers, and more. The hosts can organize trail rides, fly fishing, whitewater rafting, and more, on top of guided hikes in Yellowstone, at an additional cost. While you'll be farther from major attractions like Old Faithful (it's nearly three hours away), Mammoth Hot Springs, wildlife-rich Lamar Valley, and Boiling River, one of the only swimming spots in the park, are all within a short drive of Yellowstone's north entrance. (Bonus: It's also the park's only year-round entrance.)
- Courtesy Airbnb
Congaree National Park
West Columbia, South Carolina
Just 30 minutes from the heart of Congaree National Park, filled with raised walking platforms, kayak and canoe routes, and fishing through the Congaree floodplain, this studio is the perfect size for a romantic getaway or solo adventure. It packs a ton of amenities and farmhouse-chic design into its tiny floor plan, including a deck with a hot tub, a fully equipped kitchen with a retro Smeg fridge, a living area with a fireplace, and more. Plus, you're just minutes from downtown Columbia, home to an amazing art museum.
- Ethan Abitz/Glamping Hub
Mount Rainier National Park
Packwood, Washington
We love an A-frame cabin—but a riverside A-frame just 15 minutes from the Stevens Canyon entrance to Mount Rainier National Park may take the cake. Though the lofted bedroom has a queen and a double bed, we'd send couples here to enjoy the cozy space. With an extra-large deck, Adirondack chairs and a fire pit nearly in the riverbed, a bright living area with a TV and an indoor fireplace, and a basic kitchen, the home has everything you need. This national park is one of our favorite day trips from Seattle, but we'd set aside a few nights just to relax here.
Saguaro National Park
Tucson, Arizona
This is the only non-Superhost on this list but Traveler articles director Stephanie Wu planned an entire trip with her friends around a stay at the Joshua Tree House Tucson, on the border of Saguaro National Park. Made up of five self-contained suites, JTH Tucson is a sort of hotel-Airbnb hybrid, and each room can be booked individually or as a set (from $1,900 per night). There's a pool, impeccably designed living room, rooftop, and a communal kitchen open to everyone, but each suite also has its own kitchenette, lush bathroom, fireplace—and many have private patios. You really can't go wrong with whatever room you choose.
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Capitol Reef National Park
Torrey, Utah
Lesser known than Zion or Arches, Capitol Reef is an often overlooked national park that offers incredible red rock cliffs and canyons. It's also an International Dark Sky Park, and has incredible stargazing, thanks to limited light pollution. Luckily, this house—about five minutes from the park entrance—is also quite remote, with unspoiled views of the night sky from its back porch. (Plus, a telescope is on hand for guests to use.) Filled with modern finishes, this two-bedroom home has floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the surrounding ridges, a light-filled, well-stocked kitchen, and more.
- Courtesy Airbnb
Glacier National Park
Columbia Falls, Montana
Two living trees grow through the interior of this house, making a stay feel like a true treehouse fairy tale. The home is just 30 minutes from Glacier National Park and less than 10 from Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort, offering golfing, fishing, whitewater rafting, hiking, biking, and horseback riding opportunities in the summer months. The home itself is a wonder, though, with a large master bedroom on the top level with its own bathroom and porch, as well as a living room with ultra-high ceilings, a well-equipped kitchen, and plenty of deck space.
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- Courtesy Airbnb
Rocky Mountain National Park
Estes Park, Colorado
While the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is just a five-minute drive away, you may never want to leave the deck of this three-bedroom Airbnb Plus. Split over two levels, the upper deck has a fire pit, seating area, and dining area for meals out in the cool Colorado evenings, while the lower deck offers a hot tub and leads out to additional outdoor seating alongside the Fall River. Inside, the home's three bedrooms each have king beds, while the combined kitchen and living area and separate family room offer plenty of space to spread out indoors. But our favorite spot of all may be the master bedroom's freestanding soaker tub, set beneath two perfectly framed views of the treetops.
- Courtesy Airbnb
Zion National Park
Hurricane, Utah
For those open to roughing it, this A-frame of sorts is the perfect pick. About 30 minutes west of Zion, this tiny house includes just a bed and a few solar-powered outlets inside, and the side can be fully opened to offer complete access to the outdoors and sweeping views of the Canaan Mountain range. You'll still have enough creature comforts, though, like an outdoor grill, dining area, and fire pit, plus an eco-friendly composting toilet and propane-heated shower just steps away from the cabin.
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- Courtesy Airbnb
Joshua Tree National Park
Twentynine Palms, California
One of the all-time coolest rentals on Airbnb, this off-grid home has two bedrooms, one inside and one completely exposed to the elements (which makes for perfect stargazing as you doze off). The light wood interior contrasts the deep black accents, while the artistically rusted exterior pops against the desert landscape. There's also a set of hammocks, a grill, outdoor seating area, and fire pit to enjoy during your stay. And if you feel inclined to leave, Joshua Tree National Park is just 10 minutes away.
- Courtesy Airbnb
Olpymic National Park
Port Angeles, Washington
Found inside Olympic National Park's borders on the shore of Lake Crescent (about three hours west of Seattle), this wood-paneled lake house has room for up to 10 guests. Best suited for large families (or even two families), it has one queen bed, two double beds, and four twin beds. It also has an enormous deck, two private docks, and kayaks—as well as fishing for Beardslee trout, though you'll have to bring your own poles. While you're already in the park itself, you're just a 10-minute walk from the Spruce Railroad and Olympic Discovery trailheads.
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- Courtesy Airbnb
White Sands National Park
Cloudcroft, New Mexico
White Sands is one of the newer national parks (promoted from its monument status in 2019) and features a remarkable natural phenomenon. Despite its name, the famous white sand dunes aren't actually sand at all. In fact, the national park covers the largest gypsum dunes on Earth, in part because the area is so hot and dry the gypsum isn't dissolved by rain. To get a close look, stay at this family-friendly home that lends itself well to reunions, thanks to its four bedrooms and additional bunk room for kids, hot tub, large living areas, and well-equipped kitchen. While temperatures at the park, about 45 minutes away, can reach over 100 degrees in the summer, Cloudcroft's highs are in the 70s, thanks to its location more than 7,000 feet above sea level. Plan hikes in the area in the summer and ski runs in the winter when you're done at the nearby national park.
- Courtesy Airbnb
Biscayne and Everglades National Parks
Homestead, Florida
A stay at this south Florida three-bedroom home is like getting a three-for-one deal. You're a 20-minute drive from the south entrance to the Everglades, which covers 1.5 million acres of subtropical wilderness, with plenty of boardwalk hikes to choose from. You're less than 30 minutes away from the Biscayne National Park Institute where you can paddle board and snorkel through the park's mangrove swamps, lagoons, and shipwrecks. And, as a cherry on top, Miami is just an hour away. As for the house itself, there's room for six guests to spread out across the large kitchen, living room, tropical sun room, barn rec room, and pool. For more on how to make the most of Florida's national parks, check out this ambitious itinerary.
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- Courtesy Airbnb
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Sevierville, Tennessee
There are sweeping views of the Smoky Mountains from just about every window in this two-bedroom cabin. The best of all may be from the hot tub on the front porch, but we'll take them from the cozy living room, red kitchen, and wood-paneled bedrooms of this Airbnb Plus, too. Just 15 minutes from the Wears Valley entrance to the national park, this home is also 30 minutes from Pigeon Forge (and Dollywood!) and about 40 minutes from Gatlinburg, if you're looking to mix in non-park activities. (If you want something a little more luxe, check out Blackberry Mountain resort in nearby Walland, Tennessee.)
- Courtesy Airbnb
Indiana Dunes National Park
Michigan City, Indiana
Yes, that does say Michigan City, Indiana, but this home (and the adjacent national park) are on the shores of Lake Michigan, so we promise it makes sense. An underrated national park, Indiana Dunes includes over 15,000 acres of, you guessed it, sand dunes, but also 50 miles of trails through wetlands, prairies, and forests, and is located about an hour from Chicago. This particular home is about 20 minutes from the heart of the national park (though there are additional beaches close by), comfortably sleeps four across two bedrooms, and has a lovely sunroom that demands an afternoon with a good book. A stay also includes access to bikes to ride to the beach, a hot tub, backyard fire pit, and even a snow cone machine.
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Hot Springs National Park
Hot Springs, Arkansas
After a day exploring the thermal springs, hiking through the forests, and wandering through the town of Hot Springs that surrounds the park, returning to this studio treehouse is the perfect respite. You can enjoy life amid the treetops from the outdoor hot tub, relax in front of the indoor fireplace, read on the porch swing, or prep a meal in the kitchenette. Set on 27 acres with a creek, you can also watch deer and turkey wander the property from your perch on the patio. (Note that access to the home requires taking a set of stairs.)
- Courtesy Airbnb
Acadia National Park
Mount Desert, Maine
It doesn't get much closer to Acadia than this. Located in low-key Seal Harbor within a 10-minute drive of a slew of trailheads, about 15 minutes from one of our favorite national park beaches, Sand Beach, and 20 minutes to the top of Cadillac Mountain, the national park is at your fingerprints. The two-bedroom home is best for two couples or a family traveling with older children. The interiors are light and airy, with all the basic amenities you'll need. Plus, there's a front patio, with a fire pit, picnic table, and grill to enjoy after a long day of exploring.
