3 National Park Resorts and Experiences That Are Like Traveling Back in Time

There are quite a few famous lodges set within a national parks, like The Inn at Death Valley. Here are other properties and experiences that date back to the early days of the parks.

The Ahwahnee

Reprinted with permission from “Lodge: An Indoorsy Tour of America’s National Parks.” Copyright © 2023 by Max Humphrey and Kathryn O’Shea-Evans. Photograph copyright © 2023 by David Tsay. Published by Gibbs Smith.

This Yosemite lodge was built in the 1920s and its impeccable artisan details are what really make it shine. (They don’t make ‘em like they used to, as they say.) California artist Robert Boardman Howard painted the linen-lined walls with local fauna, alongside a hand-hammered copper fireplace hood. Stop by to check it out, sign up for a tour, or for the fully immersive artistic experience, stay in the appropriately named Mural Room, which feels like you’re in a time capsule.

Not to be missed on your tour is the Ahwahnee Dining Room, which has hosted countless famous guests, including Queen Elizabeth II in 1983. Adding to the storybook appeal is its 34-foot-high exposed-beam ceiling, twinkling chandeliers, and the lovely view over misty Yosemite Falls.

Grand Canyon Railway

Courtesy of Xanterra Travel Collection.

There’s something undeniably romantic about boarding a train—especially one that’s bound for the Grand Canyon. Though there are many magical ways to see this natural wonder—by kayak, by helicopter, or heck, even by mule—the Grand Canyon Railway is truly unique. It follows the route passengers have taken since 1901, and it still carries the same sense of nostalgia and charm.

Based in the charming town of Williams, Arizona, the Grand Canyon Railway whisks travelers 65 miles north to the South Rim of the national park, cutting through high desert, golden prairie, and fragrant pine forest along the way. But this is no ordinary ride. Expect live music, playful Wild West reenactments, and vintage railcars that make the journey feel like a step back in time. At the end of the line? One of the most jaw-dropping natural wonders on Earth.

For those planning a longer adventure, the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and adjacent RV park make it easy to stay and explore both before and after your trip. Located just steps from historic Route 66 and downtown Williams, it’s the perfect launchpad for a classic Southwest road trip.

Glacier National Park Lodges

Courtesy of Xanterra Travel Collection.

Nestled within one of America’s most dramatic landscapes, the six Glacier National Park Lodges offer visitors a chance to step back in time while experiencing the grandeur of Montana’s “Crown of the Continent.” The grandest of them all, Many Glacier Hotel, sits on the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake with views of craggy peaks and alpine waters, designed in a Swiss chalet style that feels as timeless as the landscape itself.

Lake McDonald Lodge, built in 1913, welcomes guests with its cozy hunting lodge atmosphere and lakefront setting, perfect for sunset canoe paddles or early-morning coffee by the fire. For those seeking seclusion, Rising Sun Motor Inn (built in 1940) and Swiftcurrent Motor Inn & Cabins (opened in 1933) provide simple, rustic accommodations with trailheads right outside the door, ideal for hikers chasing wildflowers, waterfalls, and wildlife on the park’s 700 miles of trails. A short ride on the historic Red Bus tours leads you to Village Inn at Apgar, a midcentury modern gem right on the edge of Lake McDonald, offering some of the most affordable—and scenic—sunset views in the park. Motel Lake McDonald keeps things refreshingly simple, giving you front-row access to the lake and nearby Apgar Village amenities.

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