Nightly Accommodations

Navigating the maze of hotels, motels, resorts, and hideaways located on and off the beaten path can be taxing. Following are options associated with some parks which require more coordination (thankfully, I learned as I was planning the Quest) than a quick check on the internet to reserve a room. You will not find the standard commercial offerings (i.e. Holiday Inn, Comfort Inn, Hilton, etc.) which adorn most large and small cities. And a few of these properties are just unique experiences. A great example is the Many Glacier Hotel in Glacier National Park, pictured above).

Alaska

Denali NP - Denali Park Hotel… reservations for year X start October 15 of year X-1. The town of Healy is 10 miles north of the park entrance road, and prices can be half of the few properties near the entrance. There has been a resident female moose around the property for over a decade, and our group saw here one night, at midnight, with her two calves.

Glacier Bay NP - Glacier Bay Lodge… reservations for year X start December 1 of year X-1

Fairbanks - Consider Abbey Archway Inn. Four in our group stayed here, and this has been the best value by far of the entire Alaska loop. Aurora Express Bed and Breakfast (sleep in railroad cars) is another option.

Gates of the Arctic - Bettles Lodge and Arctic Haven Lodging are the only options in Evansville. There are other means to access Gates of the Arctic than through Evansville.

Katmai NP - Brooks Lodge… cabin lottery for year X done in January of year X-1, but applications must be submitted in December of year X-2. (cross your fingers). The food at the lodge was EXCELLENT.

Kotzebue - Nullagvik Hotel (about the only hotel in town… can reserve up to 1.5 years early). There are a couple of B&Bs in town.

King Salmon - Antlers Inn (reserve very early if going in the summer months).

Wrangell-St. Elias NP & NPres - Kennecott Glacier Lodge… can reserve 365 days prior to target date. The food, service, and views are EXCELLENT. There is a Princess Lodge (yes, the cruise ship line) out on Hwy 4 at Copper Center, if you just want to take a day-trip into the park at Kennecott.

American Samoa

The National Park of American Samoa - The Tradewinds Hotel

Moana O’Sina Hotel

Arizona

Wigwam Motel - Holbrook, AZ (teepee structures… one of three remaining properties from the 1940s with this concept.)

Grand Canyon NP - Xanterra Parks and Resorts…. reservations open 366 days prior to your target date

California

Yosemite NP - Yosemite Hospitality…. reservations open 366 days prior to your target date. In the valley, the Yosemite Valley Lodge is acceptable, and lower priced to the majestic Ahwahnee Lodge. A night reservation for any of the lodges allows you access to the valley area, independent of the ticket-entry system which has been implemented for the summer months.

Kings Canyon and Sequoia NPs - Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks…. reservations open 366 days prior to your target date.

Colorado

Rocky Mountain NP - There are plenty of small lodging operations (as well as the larger national brands) in Estes Park, the eastern entrance to the park. Try Ponderosa Lodge just to the west of downtown… I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at this property. Fewer options exist at Grand Lake at the western entrance to the park.

Guam

War in the Pacific NHP - All the big chains have hotels on the island. Plenty of high-priced options along Tumon Bay. I stayed at the Wyndham Garden, just a couple miles from the airport and a mile from Tumon Beach. $95/night, with tax. It was B-grade accommodation, though no breakfast. The A/C had to work around the clock due to the temps and humidity, but that is what you get in the South Pacific.

Hawaii

Haleakala NP - The island of Maui has many lodging options, but there is a treat just three miles from the park’s entrance road. I stayed at G&Z Upcountry B&B. This is away from the masses down in Kahului, the commercial center of the island. This is great R&R, with a fabulous view of the low country and the waters to the west.

Oahu - If you do not need to rent a car, such as a one-night layover from flying out to and back from American Samoa and Guam, the Best Western Plaza Hotel at the airport works great. Shuttle, excellent breakfast, nice rooms, etc. The only complaint might be the traffic late at night on the elevated Interstate road which runs by the front of the property (ask for a room at the south end). Parking, though, is $40 a night ($20 for BW Rewards Members). You can find similar accommodations to the west which have free parking and will not be by the Interstate. Everything to the east is basically beach country at downtown Honolulu and Waikiki, and you know what those prices will be.

Maine

Acadia NP - There are properties in Bar Harbor, the main town on Desert Island, adjoining the main section of this park. Be prepared to pay hefty prices. Plenty of other properties on the island, and in Ellsworth on the mainland.

Katahdin Woods - The closest city is Houlton, a 1.25 hours drive to the northern entrance off Grand Lake Road. Try Ivy’s Motor Lodge.

Montana

Glacier NP - The various lodging options across the park, managed by Xantera Resorts, accepts reservations 13 months prior to your target date. If you want to reserve a room for August 22 of 2023, you can make reservations beginning August 1, 2022, at 12:01 AM MST. Each property is acceptable accommodations. Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Cabins provides a relaxing stay in the upper-east side of the park. Many Glacier Hotel is one of the grand properties in the National Park system, but can be twice the cost of Swiftcurrent ($269 vs $135 for August-2022). An acquaintance from the local NovaCare has stayed at Many Glacier and raves about its presence.

North Carolina

For the Outer Banks area (Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, Cape Hatteras, etc.), I stayed at The Island Guesthouse. This was a wonderful change of pace from the big box hotel chains. Don’t get me wrong, Comfort Inn, Best Western, and Holiday Inn Express are excellent options for most situations. A member of the staff walked me to my room, opened the door, and wanted to be sure everything looked fine. She showed me the other amenities in the main house (i.e. where to get ice), and provided confirmation on where to eat in Manteo. And the current price of $87 was a great value. I will stay here the next time I am in this area.

Texas

Big Bend NP - Chisos Lodge…. reservations for year X begin January of year X-1. This is the only lodging option in the park. The current lodge will be torn down shortly, with a new lodge to be built. Check the park website for dates.

Utah

Arches NP - There are more hotel/motel rooms per capita than anyplace in Utah, from big brand names to B&Bs. A multitude to pick from.

Zion NP - Zion Park Lodge…. Xantera Resorts accepts reservations 13 months prior to your target date. If you want to reserve a room for August 22 of 2023, you can make reservations beginning August 1, 2022, at 12:01 AM MST. The lodge does not have televisions, keeping with the concept of experiencing the outdoors.

There are properties just outside the southern park entrance, in Springdale. Make reservations early. 20 miles to the east, the town of La Verkin has many options.

Capitol Reef NP - There is no lodging service in the park. The town of Torrey is close to the western entrance on route 24. Be sure to reserve early with any of the private businesses. I stayed at The Noor Hotel for the Quest.

Virgin Islands

Saint Johns - St John Inn… walking distance to main section of Cruz Bay

Lameshur Cottages… on southern shore of island

Saint Croix - Hotel Caravelle…. right by the water, in downtown Christiansted

Sugar Apple Bead and Breakfast (downtown Christiansted)

Saint Thomas - The Green Iguana (in Charlotte Amalie)

Wyoming

Yellowstone NP - The various lodging options across the park, managed by Xanterra Resorts, accepts reservations beginning on the 5th day of the 13th month prior to your target date. For example, if you want to reserve a room for July 28 of 2023, you can make reservations beginning July 5, 2022, at 12:01 AM MST.

Note that dinner reservations are available at Old Faithful Inn, Lake Yellowstone Hotel, and Grant Village in the summer (priority given to hotel guests). All other food venues are “first come, first serve”.

Grant Teton NP - The Grand Teton Lodge Company is the official site for most of the lodging properties in the park. They adhere to a one-year reservation window. If you want a room for August 5, 2023, you can make reservations starting August 5, 2022. But Aramark, mainly known for food service contracts with the National Park Service, operates Signal Mountain Lodge, right on Jackson Lake. Great location! They will accept reservations for the next year, up until their last opening day (usually mid-October).

If you ever need to stay in Lusk, a wonderful option is the Covered Wagon Motel. I stayed here as the stopover between Jewel Cave NMon and Fort Laramie NHS. The property has all that you need for a comfortable stay.