National Park Lodges: Hike-in Style

Part 3 in our monthlong feature celebrating the National Parks centennial: backcountry lodges! No need for hefting a burly backpack, tent, and food to these oases in the wilderness. From the Rockies to the Sierra, we've rounded up some of the best ways to experience national park backcountry, in style!

Week: 05.19.2016
Regions: Northern & Southern CA

Will You Sperry Me?

Sperry Chalet in Glacier National Park

The ultimate foodie experience: Dinner at The French Laundry. The ultimate backcountry lodge experience: Sperry Chalet! Reached via an 8-mile (one-way) hiking trail in Glacier National Park, this historic chalet makes a night in the rugged, rocky wilderness very hospitable. Built
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Shoot for the Sun

Summer Vacation Makeover in Sun Valley

Give your next summer vacation a mountain makeover. Specifically, a Sun Valley mountain makeover! Just a 2-hour direct flight from San Francisco or a 2.5-hour direct flight from Los Angeles, Sun Valley, Idaho, is a recreational paradise: 400+ miles of crowd-free hiking and biking
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Yosemite Backcountry Glamping

Hike Yosemites High Sierra Camp - Vogelsang Camp

Love to hike, but hate to lug a bulging backpack? Then Vogelsang High Sierra Camp is your ticket to high-country heaven. Carrying only a daypack with minimal supplies, you can hike all day in Yosemite’s alpine wonderland, then dream the night away in a comfy cot. Even better, you
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Phantom of the Canyon

Phantom Ranch in Grand Canyon National Park

Phantom Ranch Canyons in Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon River in Grand Canyon National Park
Two hikers relaxing at the riverside in Grand Canyon National Park
Want to really go grand in Grand Canyon National Park? Stay at historic Phantom Ranch! A clutch of simple, private bunk-bed-filled cabins along with dorm-style lodging. Scoring a stay here is not easy, and highly sought!
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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Gentle Giants

    Some people visit national parks to marvel at the iconic sights, while others come seeking solitude in nature. With visitation on the rise, it can be hard to find both. But in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, this pair of trails offers both....

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  2. A Hike to the Past

    This 5.2-mile redwoods hike through El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space combines a relaxing stroll with unique geologic formations and historical artifacts.

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  3. Golden Mile

    Dubbed the Golden Mile, this car-free stretch of road in Golden Gate Park features rotating art installations of murals, sculptures, and abundant bright yellow Adirondack chairs for kicking back to relax. See Naga, the recent new addition here, an impressive sea serpent art installation at Golden Gate Park's Rainbow

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  4. Devilishly Hairy

    Mount Diablo is a devilish name but it’s home to some hairy spiders that don’t need to send a chill down your spine. Tarantulas come out and about in fall, as the males leave their burrows in search of mates. One of the best places to see them is on the northern slopes of Mount Diablo.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Montebello Mission

    Adorable animal feeding, peaceful bird watching, and delicious beer drinking? Hello, Montebello! This northeastern city has fantastic views of the hulking San Gabriels and a variety of green spaces, not to mention great spots for beer(s)!

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  2. Welcome to the Ice Age

    Only in LA can you stumble upon a lake of bubbling black goo right in the middle of the city—complete with a life-size family of mammoths frozen in time. Take a whiff and you’ll catch the unmistakable scent of asphalt: Yep, you’ve made it to the La Brea Tar Pits & Museum.

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  3. Griffith's Golden

    With over 4,200 acres and hundreds of trails, Griffith Park is the gold standard. Opt for the lesser-hiked northwestern end of the park and visit the 2.25-mile Skyline and Oak Canyon loop from Travel Town.

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  4. Mulholland's Most Majestic

    Take a leisurely drive along Mulholland Drive to discover beautiful urban scenery and unexpected wild beauty, right in the middle of the city. 

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