The United States National Parks System is home to some of the most stunning landscapes in the world, and hiking is one of the best ways to experience these natural wonders up close. If you’re looking to take your park experience to the next level, consider staying in a hike-in lodge. These remote accommodations offer a chance to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. We’ll explore some of the best hike-in lodges in the United States National Parks System!
1. Phantom Ranch, Grand Canyon National Park
Phantom Ranch was built in 1922, and it is located at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Visitors can only access it by foot, mule, or raft. Statistically, only one percent of visitors to the Grand Canyon ever make it down to the river and see this special place. The historic lodge is rustic and offers both dormitory-style accommodations and private cabins.
The nearby Bright Angel Creek provides a refreshing place to cool off after a long hike, and the mule rides and ranger-led hikes are popular activities for guests.
Phantom Ranch is one of those “bucket list” stays for many national park lovers. Both its accessibility and its reservations are strenuous to achieve. For all of our tips and tricks on booking your reservation at this NPS icon, read THIS post.
We stayed at this lodge on our 2018 hike down the South Kaibab Trail and up the Bright Angel Trail. Arriving at Phantom Ranch was a unique badge of accomplishment. The lemondade was world-class, and the family-style steak dinner was exactly what our bodies needed after the hike. This was such a special experience that we are in the lottery to repeat the hike any time we can!
2. Granite Park Chalet, Glacier National Park
Located in the heart of Glacier National Park, Granite Park Chalet offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The lodge is only accessible by foot or horseback, and the hike is challenging but rewarding. Four trails offer access to the Chalet:
- Highline Trail – This trail is around 7.5 miles and begins at the Logan’s Pass Visitor Center. It is relatively easy, and it is one of the park’s most beloved treks!
- Loop Trail – This is a 4 mile trail with a 2300 foot, steep ascention to the chalet.
- Fifty Mountain Trail – This is a 25 mile continuation of the Highline trail that ends in Waterton Lakes, Canada.
- Swiftcurrent Trail – This is a 7.5 mile trail that ascends around 2300 feet to the chalet.
Upon arrival, guests will stay in rustic dormitory-style accommodations and have access to a communal kitchen and dining area. Granite Park Chalet does not serve meals; although, for an additional fee they will order food supplies for you to prepare upon your arrival.
Reservations for this experience are very competitive. It is necessary to book as soon as reservations open. Availability for the 2024 season will open in January of 2024. See THIS website for booking details. Rates for the first person is $134 per night, and each additional person costs $92 per night. Linens can be provided for another $40 per set.
Glacier National Park is one of our favorite parks. Visiting its two, historic hike-in chalets are in our plans for 2024. Stay tuned for a re-cap!
3. High Sierra Camps, Yosemite National Park
The High Sierra Camps are a series of six hike-in or mule-in lodges located in the backcountry of Yosemite National Park.
Mule Trips
The minimum age for the 4-6 day mule trips along this route is 10-years-old. Yosemite National Park offers booking HERE. No trips will run during the summer of 2023 due to consequences of double the annual snow-pack. Toulumne Meadows Stables is also closed through 2024 and, possibly, 2025.
Camps
There are about 6-10 miles between each camp. Guests stay in canvas tents and have access to a communal dining area and restrooms. Three of the six camps offer showers.
The camps are situated along the John Muir Trail and offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The most common route is to…
- begin from Toulumne Meadows Lodge,
- hike 8 miles to Glen Aulin Camp,
- hike 8.5 miles to May Lake Camp,
- hike another 8.5ish miles to Sunrise Camp,
- hike 9.5 miles to Merced Lake Camp (longest hike but less elevation,)
- hike 7.8 miles to Vogelsang Camp (most difficult day,)
- hike 6.8 miles out to Toulumne Meadows Lodge.
Rates
Prices include accommodations, dinner, and breakfast. Adult rates are $150-160 per adult, per night. Rates for children ages 7-12 are $80-$85 per night. Younger children are not permitted.
Booking
Both guided and unguided trips are available by lottery which opens annually in September or October. Guests can select the full, five-day loop or a half-loop. This is a very popular experience, and reservations are available only by lottery. To enter the lottery and acquire more information, please visit THIS website.
*As noted above, during the winter of 2022-2023 the area received twice the annual snow pack. Thus, all camps are closed for the duration of 2023. Lottery winners for the 2023 season will be the first with booking opportunities for the summer of 2024.
4. Sperry Chalet, Glacier National Park
Sperry Chalet is located in the heart of Glacier National Park and is only accessible by foot or horseback. The lodge was built in 1913 and has been a popular destination for hikers ever since.
For those who prefer to ride a horse to the chalet, you can book through the park-approved outfitter, Swan Mountain Outfitters. Rates start at $325 per person for this 7 hour trail ride.
Visitors may also access this chalet via two hiking trails:
- Gunsight Pass – This is a 13.5 mile trail that ascends 3300 feet up to the Sperry Chalet. It is considered strenuous and should not be attempted earlier than mid July. Visitors should check with rangers regarding snowpack prior to the trek.
- Sperry Trail – This 6.7 mile trail begins at Lake McDonald Lodge and ascends 3300 feet up to the Chalet. It is steep and strenuous.
Guests stay in rustic accommodations and have access to a full-service, all-inclusive, communal dining area and outdoor fire pit.
Rates are $273 for the first person and $182 for each additional person in the same room. Rates include dinner, breakfast, and lunch.
At the time of writing, there are no reservations available for the 2023 season. Reservations for 2024 will open in January of 2024 and can be accessed HERE.
5. Mount LeConte Lodge, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Mount LeConte Lodge is located at an elevation of 6,593 feet in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The lodge is only accessible by foot and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
There are five hiking trails for accessing the LeConte Lodge:
- Alum Cave Trail – This trail is about 5 miles long and ascends about 2,600 feet. The lower portion of the trail up to the Newfound Gap Overlook is popular for day hikers and is likely to be crowded.
- Bullhead Trail – This 7 mile trail ascends about 4,000 feet to reach the Lodge.
- Rainbow Falls Trail – This 6.5 mile trail ascends 3,900 feet to reach the Lodge. It is regularly regarded as one of the top five favorite hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- Boulevard Trail – This 8 mile trail ascends 2,700 feet to the Lodge.
- Trillium Gap Trail – This 6.7 mile trail ascendes 3,300 feet to reach the Lodge. It is the same trail that the pack llamas take to deliver weekly supplies to LeConte.
One they reach the lodge, guests stay in rustic accommodations and have access to a communal dining area and outdoor fire pit. Stays are all-inclusive of accommodations and meals. Regular lodge rates are per-person at $176 per adult. Children and group rates are also available for slightly less.
The policies and procedures for the following year’s booking are released each August. For additional information and to check for cancellations, please visit THIS website. For reminders on important booking dates in the National Park System, follow me on YouTube HERE.
Although all accommodations on this list are difficult to book, they each represent a special piece of our National Park history. It is on our family bucket list to visit each, and we encourage you to consider these options as exciting National Park adventures that will leave your families with life-long memories of unique and historic experiences in your NPS journeys!
