Top 10 national park lodges

By Becca Bergman

updated 3:33 p.m. ET Aug. 4, 2008

In the early 1900s, railroad companies built the first lodge hotels to lure well-off easterners westward, promising easy living against a stunning backdrop. A century later, the clientele has changed but the appeal has not. We chose lodges that are urban and remote, refined and rustic, classic and contemporary. Some are creaky-old and rife with history; others have gone modern with yoga classes and spa treatments. All say “summer escape,” and fill up fast—so book early.

Ahwahnee Hotel
Yosemite National Park, California

Bound by the craggy Sierra Nevada mountain range and roughly the size of Rhode Island, Yosemite is a park of dramatic backcountry grandeur. Befittingly majestic, the massive granite, glass, and timber Ahwahnee is an impressive piece of the past that dates back to 1925. In terms of both history and architecture, it is among the most iconic lodges in the country, with a roster of past guests that includes Queen Elizabeth II, Clark Gable, John F. Kennedy, and Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. The design is a blend of Art Deco and Native American styles, and the lobby boasts elegant tapestries, floor-to- ceiling windows, and fireplaces big enough to stand in. To top it off, almost every room, suite, and cottage offers a prime view of famous natural landmarks—Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and Glacier Point. From $439/night; yosemitepark.com

Many Glacier Hotel
Glacier National Park, Montana

If there was ever a time to visit this park in northern Montana, it’s now: Of the 120 glaciers that existed in the park more than a century ago, only 27 remain. Scientists predict that if global warming continues at its current rate, they all might disappear by 2030, adversely affecting the ecosystem and landscape. For now, the air and water are magnificently pristine, and the species of flora and fauna are practically unchanged since the park’s inception (which is rare). With more than 700 miles of trails, it’s ideal for backpackers of all levels. At the park’s center sits the isolated Swiftcurrent Lake, next to the charming, Swiss chalet–style Many Glacier Hotel. At 93 years old, the hotel is starting to show its age, but the basic rooms are quaint. The suites with balconies looking out on alpine views (watch for bears), the cozy lobby where afternoon fondue is served, and, ultimately, the unparalleled location all make the hotel worth seeking out—before the park changes forever. From $135/night; glacierparkinc.com/manyglacierhotel

Banff Springs Hotel
Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Tina Liddle / Special to msnbc.com Banff Springs Hotel

Built under the auspices of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1887, the four-diamond Banff Springs Hotel has the look of a Scottish baronial castle and the feel of an indulgent weekend retreat. A Fairmont property, all rooms are appointed with de rigeur comforts and most offer views of the Bow River or Tunnel Mountain. There’s golf, tennis, and mountain biking, but the primo activity takes place at the Willow Stream spa, a 38,000-squarefoot operation fresh from a multimillion-dollar makeover. Many of the treatments involve native plants and minerals (making the wildflower meadow come to you for a change). Yet even an Alpine Aromatherapy Massage can’t compete with the miles of unadulterated Rocky Mountain beauty just outside the door. From $469/night; fairmont.com/banffsprings

Big Meadows Lodge
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

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Tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah is an easy and scenic 90-minute drive from Washington, D.C., but feels remarkably remote. At Big Meadows Lodge, televisions are scarce; instead, guests watch deer and black bears wander through the nearby meadow for which the lodge is named. Accommodations, with views of the sprawling Shenandoah Valley, run from private cabins to in-lodge rooms and suites. An architectural attraction in itself, the interior of the lodge is paneled in native oak and chestnut, while the outside is made of chunky stone mined from the nearby Appalachians. Lately the park has been getting serious about its food, hiring Terry Sheehan (formally the executive chef at the Ahwahnee) to infuse the menus at Big Meadows and nearby Skyland Resort with Southern-inspired flavors, as well as oversee occasional cooking workshops and wine-pairing dinners. Rooms from $85/night; cabins from $109/night; visitshenandoah.com

Jasper Park Lodge
Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada

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There are more accessible places to play golf, but few are set among such rugged beauty, where clear lakes border wildflower meadows and elk, caribou, and moose roam freely. The 83-year-old course at Jasper Park Lodge, which was designed by the legendary Stanley Thompson and ranks among the best in North America, is 224 miles away from the Edmonton airport, but it’s worth the trek. This lakeside Fairmont property is a sprawling compound of cedar chalets and log cabins, with Signature Cabins like the eight-bedroom Milligan Manor, perched right on the fairway. From $499/night; fairmont.com/jasper

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