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    12 Hotels And Inns Near US National Parks That Are $165 A Night Or Less

    Stay nearby without paying through the nose.

    Evie Carrick
    by Evie Carrick

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    Our national park system may be our country's biggest treasure. Think about it for a moment — these places are so beautiful and unique that our own government wanted to protect them from development.

    Red rock arch in the desert
    Tobiasjo / Getty Images

    The US National Parks play a huge role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and preserving our country's natural resources. From protecting animals, waterfalls, and geysers to educating the public on the wonders found within our nation's borders.

    To get the full experience (some of these parks are massive), you'll want to spend a night or two nearby. And if you don't want to spend a fortune staying within the park, these nearby hotels have rates starting at $165/night or less.

    Huge granite cliffs and waterfalls over a valley
    Kenny Mccartney / Getty Images

    We reviewed the park visitation numbers from 2021 and found an affordable hotel near the 12 most popular national parks. And while all these hotels are an easy drive by car, some are within walking distance (or a shuttle ride) from the entrance. That means you'll save on gas, the hassle of parking, AND be good to Mama Earth. 

    Just keep in mind that depending on the season, these nightly rates will fluctuate and may be higher during the park's peak season.

    1. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Kalispell — Glacier National Park

    A turquoise lake at the base of giant mountains
    Azcat / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    This property is just six miles from the nearest airport and 33 miles (or 45 minutes) from Glacier National Park. Of course, the park's glacier-carved peaks and 700+ hiking trails should be at the top of your list, but you might want to stay an extra night and check out Wild Horse Island on Flathead Lake, which is home to horses and bighorn sheep. Yes, really. 

    Rooms start at $121/night.

    2. The Park Vista — A DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    Ehrlif / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    A 15-minute walk out the front door of the hotel will put you inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park and on the northern end of Twin Creeks Trail — how's that for easy access? Plus, the property is a short trolley ride away from downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee and you get a warm cookie at check-in. Winning.

    Rooms start at $111/night.

    3. Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn & Suites — Zion National Park

    Green valley at the base of towering mountains
    Jmichaelmedia / Getty Images

    This little gem is found in Springdale, Utah, a short walk from the park. You can leave your car in the lot and hop on the free shuttle into the park (or around town). As an added bonus, every room has a private patio, so you can enjoy views of the mountains without ever leaving your room.

    Rooms start at $129 /night.

    4. Candlewood Suites Hot Springs — Hot Springs National Park

    A spring at the base of a green hill
    Aimintang / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    This hotel in the town of Hot Springs, Arkansas is just 10 minutes from Hot Springs National Park. When you're not checking out the area's naturally heated springs, you can cozy up in your suite, which has all the comforts of home — fridge with ice maker, stove, microwave, and dishwasher. 

    Rooms start at $94/night.

    5. Holiday Inn West Yellowstone — Yellowstone National Park

    A hot spring that's blue, yellow, and red
    Tiny-al / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    This hotel in the town of West Yellowstone is right on the border of Montana and Wyoming (although technically on the Montana side) and just three blocks from Yellowstone National Park. From the west entrance, make your way to Old Faithful Geyser, hop on a trail, or cruise by the park's endless mountains and waterfalls. Bonus: dogs are welcome and kids 18 and under stay free.

    Rooms start at $132/night.

    6. Hampton Inn Bar Harbor — Acadia National Park

    Lighthouse on a rocky coast
    Philippe Gratton / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    This property is less than a mile from Acadia National Park and downtown Bar Harbor. The former is a three-minute drive and the summit of Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the North Atlantic seaboard, is 15 minutes by car (also accessible on foot). Perks include free parking and daily hot breakfast. 

    Rooms start at $165 /night.

    7. Comfort Suites Moab Near Arches National Park — Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park

    A red arch in the desert
    Martina Birnbaum / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    You'll get a true bang for your buck at this all-suite hotel in Moab (a town that's worth exploring itself). The property is an easy eight-minute drive to Arches National Park and just over 30 minutes to Canyonlands National Park — so there's a lot to see and do. Luckily, the included hot breakfast and in-room microwave and fridge will make that long stay feel more doable.

    Rooms start at $91/night.

    8. The Ridgeline Hotel-Estes Park, Ascend Hotel Collection — Rocky Mountain National Park

    Mountains around a tree-lined lake
    Gerald Zaffuts / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Set in the mountain town of Estes Park, Colorado (which is worth a day of exploring itself) is this hotel, which is an easy 10-minute drive from Rocky Mountain National Park. They also have a pet-friendly wing of the hotel and are a mile from the Estes Park Aerial Tramway, which transports you to the top of Prospect Mountain. 

    Rooms start at $122 /night.

    9. Comfort Inn Yosemite Area — Yosemite National Park

    Granite mountains under a pink sunset
    Tanarch / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    This budget-friendly hotel is less than 30 minutes from Yosemite National Park's south entrance. At the hotel, which is in Oakhurst, California, you can grab free breakfast and a second cup of coffee before making the easy drive north to the park. 

    Rooms start at $107 /night.

    10. Super 8 By Wyndham Jackson Hole — Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park

    Bison in a field at the base of a giant mountain
    Brian Evans / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    The views of the Teton Range alone are worth the trip, but no visit is complete without a few days spent exploring Grand Teton National Park. The park is an easy 15-minute drive from the hotel and is home to everything from grizzlies and bison to elk and pronghorn. 

    If you time it right, you can also check out Yellowstone National Park via the park's south entrance (only open from mid-May to early November). Yellowstone is just over an hour from the hotel by car. 

    Rooms start at $89 /night.

    11. Red Feather Lodge — Grand Canyon National Park

    River at the base of a rocky canyon
    Piola666 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Just 20 minutes by car from the south entrance of Grand Canyon National Park is this little hotel, which has a laundry room, complimentary coffee, 24/7 tea, and an outdoor pool that's open seasonally. To save on gas (and be good to Mama Earth) you can leave your car in the lot and take the shuttle bus into the park.

    Rooms start at $128/night.

    12. Quality Inn Chesterton Near Indiana Dunes National Park — Indiana Dunes National Park

    Young boy walks a staircase toward the forest
    Jon Lauriat / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    There are plenty of reasons to visit Indiana Dunes National Park — from the protected lakeshore and over 70 miles of bike trails to the sandhill cranes that come to nest in the area. Near all of it is this hotel, which is a five-minute drive from the park and has a grab-and-go breakfast that'll give you more time to explore. 

    Rooms start at $59/night.