Let’s talk National Parks

[Pluperfect]

This is a nice list -- we haven't yet been to Big Bend, Acadia, Great Smoky Mountains, or Death Valley but when we do visit, I would consider staying in the properties on this list. If there's an option to stay inside the park I usually prefer that if possible

Of the 11 hotels on that list, only two are in a national park. The other nine have nothing to do with a national park, except proximity, and even then, maybe not...the article even divulges that the one listed for Bryce and Zion is a two-hour drive from either one.

The one for Glacier is 200 miles from the park. The article just says it's on the "outskirts" of the park, and adds this: "(Note: "Outskirts" in Montana translates to hours away.)" I had to go to google maps to find out just how many hours.

 

[audreyh1]

Yeah, not really National Park lodging except for El Tovar and the one in Death Valley.

 

[Gumby]

If you go to Grand Teton, stay at the Jackson Lake Lodge (which is actually in the park) and spring for a Mountain View Room. Jenny Lake Lodge would also be a good choice.

 

[audreyh1]

Signal Mountain Lodge is a great lodging choice at Grand Teton NP. We like their Lake Front Retreats right on Jackson Lake, especially the upper level suites with balcony looking right across the lake to Mount Moran. The food there is really good too.

 

[Pluperfect]

Yeah, not really National Park lodging except for El Tovar and the one in Death Valley.

Oh, is the Death Valley one in the park? That would make 3 of the 11, although it's a private enterprise and not a "national park hotel," like the Ahwahnee in Yosemite, which is what sprang to my mind when I saw an article called "Most Beautiful National-Park Hotels in the U.S." Yet it's not on the list.

 

[audreyh1]

Oh, is the Death Valley one in the park? That would make 3 of the 11, although it's a private enterprise and not a "national park hotel," like the Ahwahnee in Yosemite, which is what sprang to my mind when I saw an article called "Most Beautiful National-Park Hotels in the U.S." Yet it's not on the list.

Yes, The Oasis at Death Valley is in the NP. I guess there was one other I missed.

 

[Chuckanut]

Oh, is the Death Valley one in the park? That would make 3 of the 11, although it's a private enterprise and not a "national park hotel," like the Ahwahnee in Yosemite, which is what sprang to my mind when I saw an article called "Most Beautiful National-Park Hotels in the U.S." Yet it's not on the list.

Stovepipe wells is in the park. But nobody would call it a fabulous grand old hotel.

 

[Chuckanut]

Death Valley has a lot of inholdings because it was commercialized for many years. Many minerals were mined there include the famous Borax. The NPS explains this all as part of their history exhibits in Death Valley. There are still some inholdings in Yosemite also, though again, none are grand old hotels.

 

[Out-to-Lunch]

I don't know how they missed Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch

 

[Chuckanut]

Today, March 1, is the anniversary of the first National Park - Yellowstone.

https://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Yellowstone+National+Park

In 1871, eleven years after his failed first effort, Ferdinand V. Hayden was finally able to explore the region. With government sponsorship, he returned to the region with a second, larger expedition, the Hayden Geological Survey of 1871. He compiled a comprehensive report, including large-format photographs by William Henry Jackson and paintings by Thomas Moran. The report helped to convince the U.S. Congress to withdraw this region from public auction. On March 1, 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed The Act of Dedication[5] law that created Yellowstone National Park.[24]

Hayden wanted to prevent Yellowstone from being overrun by promotional concerns:

He believed in "setting aside the area as a pleasure ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people" and warned that there were those who would come and "make merchandise of these beautiful specimens".[25] Worrying the area could face the same fate as Niagara Falls, he concluded the site should "be as free as the air or Water."[25] In his report to the Committee on Public Lands, he concluded that if the bill failed to become law, "the vandals who are now waiting to enter into this wonder-land, will in a single season despoil, beyond recovery, these remarkable curiosities, which have required all the cunning skill of nature thousands of years to prepare".

 

[imjustawarrior]

Today, March 1, is the anniversary of the first National Park - Yellowstone.

I'm so glad they started the park system.

I have my Yellowstone lodging reservations for Aug this summer. It will be my 3rd time visiting the park. I'm excited to explore some new areas.

 

[MC Rider]

I have not ben to enough NPs considering there are quite a few in driving distance. Recently we went to Death Valley. Better scenery than I would have guessed and historical stuff too. Panamint Springs Resort is quite rustic with very basic but clean and comfortable rooms. Breakfast in the restaurant was really good.

Also been to Grand Canyon, Joshua tree, Yosemite, Sequoia. Bought the lifetime Senior Pass for $80, so gotta visit NPs more.

 

[Koolau]

I've been universally impressed with the professionalism of the park staff - no matter which park I've visited. First rate.

 

[DrRoy]

Highly recommend the Ken Burns series here.

 

[simple girl]

Highly recommend the Ken Burns series here.

Agree. It's fantastic! We watched it via our PBS Passport.