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- Across the United States, national parks make up some of North America's most striking landscapes and varied ecosystems.
- Not everyone has a national park easily accessible in their own backyard, which means if you're not a fan of camping, you'll need somewhere to stay during your visit.
- We chose highly-rated vacation homes and rentals on Vrbo and Airbnb near some of the country's most popular national parks, starting from $100 to $358 per night.
- Read more: Are Airbnbs safe? We spoke to experts, a company representative, and an Airbnb host to share everything you should know before booking someone's home.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, most international borders are still closed for tourism, but here is some good news for Americans: we live in an exceptionally beautiful country. From coast to coast (plus Hawaii and Alaska), the National Park Service protects over 50 million acres of land, all of which are open for public recreation.
Among the parks, you can find exceptional wonders from the red rock mesas of Zion National Park in Utah to the snow-capped peaks of Great Smoky Mountain National Park in Tennessee.
Anytime is a good time to pay a visit to a national park, but the pandemic is inspiring even more travelers to use this time to get acquainted with our national backyard, especially since being outdoors in wide-open spaces, as opposed to crowded cities, is especially appealing for social distancing.
The best way to keep your distance from other travelers who may be visiting the national parks is to book an entire vacation home for yourself. Experts consider vacation rentals to be one of the safest types of accommodations, especially with platforms rolling out new sanitation standards for hosts and owners. This is because you're less likely to risk infection in a private home than in a shared space such as a large hotel since the virus is mainly transmitted via respiratory droplets from person-to-person interactions.
If you're wondering about the difference between policies from platform to platform, start with this handy guide.
However, be mindful that without a vaccine, there's no guarantee of safety right now, even with proper precautions. We always recommend following state guidelines and regulations from organizations like the CDC.
Also, keep in mind that just like states, the National Park Service has its own phased approach to reopening the parks. Check here for the most recent information, and consider that some states have a mandatory quarantine in place for anyone arriving from out of state.
Still want to stay in a hotel? Start here:
We rounded up highly-rated vacation rentals across Airbnb and Vrbo located in some of the country's most frequently visited national parks across the US. We selected the best home in each area based on the following criteria:
- Listings are for the entire home or apartment to avoid interaction with owners or other guests, in line with recommended COVID-19 precautions.
- Each property is priced between $100 to $358 per night to start, depending on the season.
- All are top-rated Airbnb and Vrbo listings, located as close to the park as possible, and have an average rating of 4.9 or higher.
- Each property has a variety of exceptional amenities, outstanding scenery, or both.
Bear in mind that rates will vary depending on the season and summer tends to be more expensive. Cleaning and service fees may also inflate the nightly rate.
Depending on the listing, public facilities that are normally a perk of the property may be unavailable because of COVID, so be sure to ask the host about this before you book.
These are the best vacation rentals near US national parks, sorted by price from low to high.
Luxurious Lake Powell home near Grand Canyon National Park, $100
AirBnb
Book this home starting at $100 per night on AirbnbJust five minutes away from Horseshoe Bend in the northernmost part of Grand Canyon park, this luxurious home in Page, Arizona is brand new and large enough to sleep up to six people.
The modern home is filled with locally-made artwork and furnishings that reflect the indigenous history and natural surroundings of the area. The kitchen is well-equipped with appliances and the shaded back patio offers a great place for eating outside with a gas grill and a full patio set with rocking chairs.
The Grand Canyon is among the largest national parks, so you'll need to give yourself plenty of time to explore, even if you're staying right nearby.
This listing has plenty of availability beginning at the end of August onwards.
Rating: 4.9
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: The host has committed to Airbnb's Enhanced Clean Standards, which means that surfaces will be sanitized with approved products and the rooms will be thoroughly cleaned according to Airbnb's guidelines.
Cottage on the way to Yellowstone National Park, $118
AirBnb
Book this cottage starting at $118 per night on AirbnbJust 40 miles east of Yellowstone's eastern entrance in Wyoming, this cozy cottage can sleep up to four people and includes a full kitchen and two bathrooms. It rests in front of a grand mountain view and there's even a stream that runs directly through the property.
The interior amenities are basic but more than sufficient, and you can take in the view from the charming front porch with a morning cup of coffee in hand.
Yellowstone National Park is a thermal wonderland full of bubbling mud, exploding geysers, and the largest supervolcano in North America. Yellowstone is a huge park, so be prepared to spend a lot of time driving, especially if you want to see the Old Faithful geyser, which is about a three-hour drive away from this listing.
This property has a few days left in August and plenty of weekends open in September.
Rating: 4.9
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: The host does not specify specific cleaning procedures, but many reviews rate the home as "sparkling clean."
Wild spirit cabin near Joshua Tree National Park, $128
AirBnb
Book this cabin starting at $128 per night on AirbnbProbably the epicenter of the bohemian-chic aesthetic, you won't have trouble finding an Instagram-ready house in Southern California's Joshua Tree National Park. However, the Wild Spirit Cabin is a special gem.
The renovated cabin dates back to 1956 and sits at the end of a dirt road surrounded by desert. The home is decorated with locally-made furnishings, has a hot tub, and includes a healthy stock of yoga mats and incense to set the mood.
Only a two-hour drive from Los Angeles, Joshua Tree National Park is best known for its shrubby desert landscape namesake whimsical Joshua trees. There are some interesting hiking trails nearby, including one to a skull-shaped rock. But many people come to Joshua Tree specifically for stargazing, which you can easily do from the front patio of this listing.
This listing has plenty of availability beginning in September.
Rating: 5.0
COVID-19 Cleaning Procedures: This host has committed to Airbnb's Enhanced Clean Standards and recent guests confirm that it is kept very clean.
Glamping yurt near Acadia National Park, $157
Vrbo
Book this yurt starting at $157 per night on VrboNot far from Bar Harbor, Maine, Acadia is the only national park in the Northeast. With a rocky ocean coastline and forested mountains, you'll have access to a variety of cliffside trails to choose from here. Or you could go for the summit of Cadillac Mountain, a perch made of pink granite, which happens to be the tallest mountain on the east coast and the very first place to see the sunrise between October and March.
This glamping option offered by Acadia Yurts is no average camping experience. With two bedrooms and a bathroom, a group of four can sleep on-site at Acadia National Park. With its own kitchen and bathroom, you can be independent without having to cook over the campfire.
The walls are made of heavy canvas material and the tent is temperature-controlled with both heating and A/C. The interior is incredibly spacious with a high-beam ceiling that draws your eyes to the skylight and unique lattice siding.
This property has limited availability through September but is wide open in October.
Rating: 4.9
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: The listing does not list specific cleaning procedures, but one review from as recent as July 2020 reports that the room was "super clean."
Authentic A-frame cabin near Glacier National Park, $159
AirBnb
Book this cabin starting at $159 per night on AirbnbAlthough this fully-renovated and climate-controlled cabin looks like the latest Instagram trend, it was actually built in the 1950s during the construction of a nearby dam. Inside, you'll find stylish interiors decorated in succulents, with a spiral staircase leading up to a lofted bed.
The kitchen comes fully stocked with all the essentials and there is also a queen-size pullout sofa bed in the living room.
Located in Martin City, Montana, you'll be just 10 miles from the west entrance of Glacier National Park, making this photo-ready cabin a great home base for your adventures.
This cabin still has a few days left in August and September.
Rating: 4.9
COVID-19 Cleaning Procedure: The listing doesn't specify details about the cleaning process, but guests from stays as recent as June 2020 write that it was sparkling clean.
New modern home near Zion National Park, $169
Vrbo
Book this home starting at $169 per night on VrboA 25-minute drive down the road from Utah's Zion National Park, this three-bedroom home is equipped with a modern kitchen, master bathroom with jacuzzi, an indoor fireplace, and an outdoor fire pit.
It also boasts magnificent views of the Pine Valley Mountain and Black Ridge. This big house can sleep up to eight people and is fully-equipped with a two-car garage. The decor is homey and inviting, with warm tones and pine cabinetry.
For those who want to explore the nearby majestic landscapes, but still enjoy the modern comforts of home, this is a great choice. Plus, it is located in the town of La Verkin, so you'll be able to easily stock up on any supplies you need.
There are still a few days left in August and September and October is wide open.
Rating: 5.0
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: The home will be thoroughly cleaned with disinfectant and you can check in with no person-to-person contact.
High-altitude cabin near Great Smoky Mountain National Park, $200
Vrbo
Book this cabin starting at $200 per night on VrboGreat Smoky Mountains National Park was the most visited national park in 2019 with over 12 million visitors, which is more than twice as many as the Grand Canyon. If you're ready to follow suit and explore this southern portion of the Appalachian Mountain Range and all its waterfalls, swimming lakes, and trails, consider this spot.
This deluxe cabin in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee sits on a high perch with panoramic views of the Great Smoky Mountains. You can enjoy the scenery while soaking in the hot tub on the deck or cozied up around the gas fireplace in the large living room.
With two bedrooms and two bathrooms, it can sleep up to five people, but you'll have to stay for a minimum of two nights.
This cabin still has plenty of availability at the end of August and throughout September.
Rating: 4.9
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: The listing does not specify extra cleaning procedures, but reviews from May to July 2020 report that it was very clean.
Alpenhaven cabin near Rocky Mountain National Park, $225
AirBnb
Book this cabin starting at $225 per night on AirbnbJust big enough for two, this cabin is an idyllic backdrop for a romantic Rocky Mountain getaway right at the edge of Estes Park. With amenities inside like a queen-size memory foam bed, a hot tub, and an electric fireplace, this is a place to come home and recharge after a long day of adventuring.
Not to mention an abundance of incredible wildlife and hiking right outside your door. The pride of Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park is a spectacular park that protects some of the highest peaks of this famous mountain range and features plenty of easy and challenging trails and scenic drives.
But you don't have to leave the property to enjoy the epic scenery. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer spectacular views and lucky visitors might even spot mule deers coming right up to the door.
This property has a few scattered days available in August, September, and October.
Rating: 4.9
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: This host committed to Airbnb's Enhanced Clean Standards.
Classic adobe home with guest house near Big Bend National Park, $279
Vrbo
Book this home starting at $279 per night on VrboIn West Texas, Big Bend National Park sits next to the border of Mexico that is naturally defined by the Rio Grande. The park is full of canyons and trails worth hiking, but you can also take a dip in the hot springs on the edge of the river or go for a pleasant ride along Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive.
With thick adobe walls, stone floors, and phenomenal views of Big Bend National Park, this rental is tough to beat.
A good spot for multi-gen families, the home has two bedrooms, plus a separate guest house. The interior is simple but large and has everything you need for a relaxing stay in the desert from stone fireplaces and woven Native American rugs to an outdoor grill.
However, it's the spacious patio with a fire pit and breathtaking valley views that really make this the place to stay.
This home still has plenty of availability in August and September.
Rating: 4.8
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: Nothing specific is mentioned, but reviews as recent as June and July 2020 report that the property is "clean and well maintained."
Cabin on the bluffs Near Olympic National Park, $358
Vrbo
Book this cabin starting at $358 per night on VrboWith the water on one side and Olympic National Park on the other, this bluff-front cabin is ensconced in nature. You'll have ample opportunity to spot deer, whales, and bald eagles without leaving the property.
Great for big groups or families, up to nine people can sleep in this sleek three-bedroom cabin filled with wood furnishings. But it's the master bedroom's enormous skylight, the bathroom's curvaceous clawfoot tub, and a wood-burning fireplace in the center of the living room that will really ensure you never want to leave.
A fire pit surrounded by picnic tables and wooden benches makes for a picturesque place to end a long day exploring the park and take in the sunset view.
This listing has a few days left in August and plenty of availability beginning the end of October.
Rating: 4.9
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: The owners of this listing ensure that all surfaces will be disinfected by a cleaning team, including cabinet handles, railings, light switches, and remotes.
