9 hotels with incredible access to the great outdoors
If you've been hearing the call of the country's most beautiful landscapes, there's good news: You don't have to pitch a tent or be proficient in starting campfires to get back to nature. There are plenty of compelling and diverse hotels, resorts and even upscale glamping retreats that will immerse you in stunning scenery across the country—no camping gear required.
Take, for example, Alila Ventana Big Sur; a luxe, adults-only resort that presides over the Pacific Coast and sits just 15 minutes from Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Or Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains, where safari-style tents feature private bathrooms and wood stoves. There are also quirky mountain lodges, immersive wellness retreats and properties equipped with decked-out Airstreams, like AutoCamp Yosemite. One thing they all have in common, however, is incredible access to the great outdoors. (Photo courtesy of Alila Ventana Big Sur.)
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Alila Ventana Big Sur (Big Sur, California)
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For a new take on all-inclusives, try this high-end Hyatt, which features 54 sophisticated rooms and suites. The hotel sits on 160 acres of California coast near the dramatic cliffs and falls of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, as well as Bixby Bridge and Point Sur Lighthouse. Back on property, there are two heated outdoor swimming pools, Japanese-style baths, a restaurant perched over the ocean and a spa with outdoor treatment cabanas overlooking the Redwood forest. For something more rustic, inquire about the glamping tents equipped with firepits.
Montage Big Sky (Big Sky, Montana)
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As if ski-in, ski-out access to Big Sky Resort isn't enough, guests at this Montana retreat are less than an hour from Yellowstone National Park. Get out and explore, then retreat to one of the oversized rooms and suites, which come with marble baths, fireplaces and an elevated alpine aesthetic. Also on site are five dining outlets serving everything from wood-fired Italian to fresh-caught fish, plus a spa and sprawling outdoor pool area, all surrounded by the Spanish Peaks.
Enchantment Resort (Sedona, Arizona)
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This Southwestern-inspired resort is the perfect base for seeing the surrounding red rock cliffs and the Grand Canyon, just over two hours away. Head over to the Trail House, which serves as the center for all outdoor activities, and take advantage of guided tours, gear rentals and more. Once you're outfitted by the pros, hit the trails for hiking and mountain biking, or try your hand at rock climbing. Later, refuel at on-site restaurant Che Ah Chi, which serves modern American cuisine alongside views of Boynton Canyon.
The Cloudveil, Autograph Collection (Jackson, Wyoming)
Despite its location on Jackson's bustling town square, this contemporary hotel is just a 10-minute drive from Grand Teton National Park, where you can hike, kayak and spot wildlife. Guest rooms mirror the surrounding mountains with custom wood and leather furnishings; some rooms and suites even have roaring fireplaces and oversized balconies. Enjoy European alpine-style cuisine at the Bistro, or head out to the terrace overlooking downtown Jackson for outdoor yoga, live music and stargazing.
Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee)
Embrace the communal vibe at this Under Canvas outpost near Great Smoky Mountains National Park with morning yoga, evening s'mores and live music. Also available to guests are experience coordinators, who can help arrange guided hikes, Zipline tours and whitewater rafting adventures. Many of the safari-style tents here have private bathrooms, wood stoves and organic bath products, but for an even deeper immersion in nature, sleep under the stars in the Stargazer Tent, which has a large "window" right above the bed.
Urban Cowboy Lodge (Big Indian, New York)
After exploring the 68 acres of mountain trails, ridges and creekfront that comprise this Catskills property, take a plunge in the on-site swimming hole, enjoy a steam in the Estonian-style sauna or relax by the fireplace in the funky, communal lounge. After dinner, order a drink and join your fellow nature-seeking guests for a round of reggae bingo. The hotel has just 26 rooms with eclectic decor, private decks and picture windows that show off mountain and forest views. Book a bathing suite to unwind in an outdoor Japanese cedar soaking tub or indoor clawfoot bath.
AutoCamp Yosemite (Midpines, California)
At this luxury glamping resort 40 minutes south of Yosemite’s Arch Rock entrance, on the park’s western side, you can trade your sleeping bag for a cleverly designed Airstream, complete with a kitchenette and private bathroom. The hotel offers an extensive lineup of activities to help you experience Yosemite National Park and the surrounding area, including hikes to famous sites, tastings in the Sierra Cider orchard, stargazing sessions and more. At night, whip up your own meal with a DIY grill kit or pick up a prepared dinner from the all-day kitchen.
Salish Lodge & Spa (Snoqualmie, Washington)
Rooms at this Cascade Mountain property have gas fireplaces, spa showers or large soaking tubs, plus pour-over coffee with copper kettles. But the main attraction is the view of Snoqualmie Falls, which is on full display at the Pacific Northwest restaurant. When it's time for some outdoor adventure, the resort is roughly two hours from Mount Rainier National Park, where you'll find hiking trails, lakes, rivers and even more waterfalls.
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