How to Use Hotel Points for Free Nights at National Parks
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The U.S. National Parks are a treasure everyone should have the opportunity to explore.
But, we all have different levels of outdoorsy! You might love to hike and marvel at the vast natural beauty, but prefer to end the day in a cozy room with a bed and a hot shower.
So, in this guide, you’ll find information about the most popular National Park gateway towns and their hotels, particularly those where you can book award nights with hotel loyalty program points.
How to Use Hotel Points for Free Nights at National Parks
The challenge with National Park trips is most parks are accessed by 1-2 gateway towns with not much else nearby. The hotel prices in these towns are often high, especially during the peak summer season. For this reason, hotel points for free nights at National Parks can save a ton of money.
Combined with all the ways you can save money on National Park Passes, a trip to explore the country’s natural beauty doesn’t have to break the bank.
If you haven’t gotten started with hotel loyalty programs yet, no worries. But you’ll want to plan your stays strategically so you can earn hotel rewards for future trips. Paid stays at National Park gateway town hotels can help you earn hotel rewards for hotel stays in destinations around the globe.
The best hotel earnings opportunities come from booking directly with the hotel brand versus a 3rd party booking site. However, if you’re looking for maximum flexibility while still earning rewards, take advantage of the Hotels.com Rewards Program. You earn 1 free night for every 10 nights you stay.
If you’re unfamiliar with the program, you can learn more in my Hotels.com Rewards guide.
National Park Gateway Town Hotel Basics
Gateway towns are different from city sightseeing destinations. Large hotel loyalty brands like Marriott, Hyatt, IHG, and Hilton, may or may not have hotels in National Park areas.
Instead, you’re likely to find hotel rewards programs like Choice, Wyndham, and Best Western, have many properties in ideal locations for National Park trips.
The tricky thing with Choice, Wyndham, and Best Western, though, is their points can be more difficult to earn than Hilton or Marriott points.
How to Earn Best Western Points
Unfortunately, Best Western is not part of any flexible currency program where you’d be able to transfer points to your Best Western account. So, the easiest way to earn Best Western points is with their credit card issued by First National Bank of Omaha.
They offer 2 different versions of their credit cards. With the Best Western Premium Rewards card, you’ll earn 50,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days of opening your account. This could be good for up to 4 nights at Best Western properties.
The no annual fee version offers you 16,000 Best Western points after your first purchase, and 16,000 points after your first stay. Considering some Best Western Hotels can be a steal at about $100 a night with free breakfast, that’s a solid return on a single paid stay.
Keep in mind, Best Western’s award pricing is not a standard award chart. Rather, award redemptions can vary depending on the time of year and the price of the room.
Best Western offers periodic promotions as well. For example, they’ve offered the chance to earn 1 free night at any property in the U.S, Canada, or the Carribean after 2 paid nights. The free night certificate you’d earn could return great value when you redeem your night in a National Park gateway town.
Additionally, you can earn Best Western points, if you were to rent a vehicle.
Program partnerships include:
- Alamo – earn 3 Best Western points per dollar spent on time and mileage
- Avis – receive up to 25% off base rates and earn 1,000 Best Western points per car rental
- Budget – save up to 25% off base rates and earn 1,000 Best Western points on every rental
- National – save up to 25% on every rental and earn 3 Best Western points per dollar on time and mileage
- Sixt – save up to 15% on every car rental and earn 1,000 points for every car rental, or 2,000 points for every limousine rental worldwide.
You can also earn 1,250 Best Western points on every Teleflora order when you spend $29.99 or more.
And if you enjoy wine, you can earn 12,500 Best Western points when buy 6 bottles of wine from their partner.
How to Earn Choice Privilege Points
Choice Privilege points aren’t the first points you think of for hotel stays, but as you’ll see if you plan to visit any of the National Parks, Choice Hotels have plenty of options.
You can earn Choice Privilege points either from their co-branded credit card, which is issued by Barclays or you can transfer your American Express Membership Rewards points at a rate of 1:1.
While transferring your points from Amerian Express might not offer optimal value, it’s still an option to compare, especially during peak seasons. In addition, Choice Hotels cash and points redemptions can be a great way to reduce costs and get decent value back.
The co-branded Choice Hotels credit card has offered bonuses as high as 40k points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. It’s certainly not one of the first 5 cards to get as a miles and points beginner. But, if you’re over 5/24 and you’ve got a lot of National Parks on your wish list, it’s worth considering.
Also, Choice Hotels offers frequent promotions like earn 8k points after you stay 2 nights or deals that allow you to earn $50 gift cards for completing a stay requirement.
As with many airlines and hotels, Choice Hotels partners with other brands to help you earn more points.
Program partnerships include:
- If you’re booking a cruise, you can earn 5 Choice Privileges points per dollar spent on your cruise purchase.
- You can also earn Choice Privilege points when booking a car through Avis or Budget. You’ll earn 1,000 Choice Privilege points for each car rental and you’ll save up to 25% off on the base rates.
- If you are an online shopper, you can even earn Choice Privilege points if you use their shopping portal. Online shopping portals are a great and easy way to earn extra points for purchase you were planning to make anyway.
- When shopping at Vinesse Wines, you can earn 10,000 points just for joining American Cellar Wine Club. Afterward, you’ll earn 7 points per dollar on all wine purchases.
- Buying flowers for someone special? You can earn 15 points per dollar when you shop through 1-800-Flowers or 1-800-Baskets.
How to Earn Wyndham Points
Wyndham points are not part of any flexible currency program, but they also offer a couple of co-branded credit cards by Barclays.
The welcome offer on the co-branded Wyndham Visa Rewards card has been as high as 45k points after meeting the minimum spend. This could be good for up to 6 nights at Wyndham properties.
There’s a no annual fee version of this card where you can typically earn 15k points after your first purchase.
You’ll notice there are plenty of Wyndham properties near many popular National Parks which makes these points extremely useful.
Beyond credit cards, there are many ways to earn Wyndham points with their partners.
Program partnerships include:
- When you rent a car through Avis or Budget, you can save up to 30% on all qualifying rentals and earn up to 500 points per car rental.
- You’ll earn 250 Wyndham points for every DoorDash order you place.
- Wyndham has a partnership with Marathon gas where you’ll earn 2 points for every gallon of fuel purchased. You can even earn more points for other in-store purchases.
- Looking to book a tour or excursion? When you book an activity or tour through the Wyndham portal, you’ll earn 10 Wyndham points per dollar spent. Depending on the activity, this can be a great way to earn a lot of points.
- Lastly, you can use the Wyndham shopping portal to earn points at select merchants when you shop online.
National Parks and their Gateway Town Lodging
Below you’ll find popular National Parks with their gateway town and a list of hotel options.
Please keep in mind for hotel reward programs like Choice and Best Western who don’t have set hotel categories and/or award charts, every effort was made to find the correct number of points for peak summer stays. However, in some cases, the points price listed may be part of a range rather than a fixed price.
Arches National Park & Canyonlands National Park
Moab, Utah is the gateway city for both of these stunning Utah National Parks. Surrounded by orange sandstone rock formations, Moab is ideally located with Arches just 5 minutes from town and Canyonlands just 25-30 minutes away.
Moab is a full-service town with hotels, restaurants, gas, tour operators, and shops for all your basic necessities. It’s a lively and convenient town to stroll through in the evenings after a day out in the nearby National Parks and a great start to your Utah itinerary.
| Hotel | Program | Points Per Night |
| Sleep Inn & Suites Moab | Choice Privileges | 20,000 |
| Best Western Plus Greenwell Inn | Best Western | 20,000 |
| Hyatt Place Moab | Hyatt | 8,000 |
| SpringHill Suites Moab | Marriott | Off-Peak: 40,000
Standard: 50,000 Peak: 60,000 |
| Holiday Inn Express Moab | IHG | 40,000 |
| Best Western Plus Canyon Inn | Best Western | 24,000 |
| Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection | Hilton | 42,000 |
| Fairfield Inn & Suites Moab | Marriott Bonvoy | Off-Peak: 40,000
Standard: 50,000 Peak: 60,000 |
| Homewood Suites Moab | Hilton | 31,000 |
| Comfort Suites Moab | Choice Privileges | 25,000 |
| Hampton Inn Moab | Hilton | 26,000 |
| La Quinta Inn Moab | Wyndham | 30,000 |
| Super 8 Moab | Wyndham | 15,000 |
| Days Inn Moab | Wyndham | 15,000 |
| Mainstay Suites Moab | Choice Privileges | 25,000 |
| Quality Suites Moab | Choice Privileges | 16,000 |
| Quality Inn Moab Slickrock Area | Choice Privileges | 16,000 |
| Wingate by Wyndham Moab | Wyndham | 30,000 |
Planning a National Park Trip?
Check current prices in Moab. | Book direct with Choice, Best Western, and IHG.
Earn towards a free night with Hotels.com.
Zion National Park
Springdale, Utah sits just footsteps from Zion’s entrance and visitor center. The town runs along the main road with shops, places to eat, and accommodations. Given the number of things to do in Zion and its cute gateway town, you’ll want to plan a few days in the area.
Springdale has some loyalty program hotels like the Holiday Inn Express that I stayed in. But overall expect to find a fair share of local eateries, inns, and B&Bs. There is a free shuttle that runs along the main road carrying people to and from Zion’s entrance, a must-use for a successful trip to Zion!
| Hotel | Program | Points Per Night |
| SpringHill Suites Zion National Park | Marriott Bonvoy | Off-Peak: 40,000
Standard: 50,000 Peak: 60,000 |
| Holiday Inn Express Springdale | IHG | 40,000 |
| Hampton Inn & Suite Springdale | Hilton | 24,000 |
| La Quinta Inn & Suite Springdale | Wyndham | 30,000 |
| Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn &Suites | Best Western | 28,000 |
| Quality Inn Springdale | Choice Privileges | 20,000 |
| Quality Inn & Suite Montclair | Choice Privileges | 20,000 |
| Cliffrose Springdale, Curio Collection (opening 12/2019) | Hilton | 52,000 |
Check current prices in Zion NP. | Book direct with Choice, Best Western, and IHG.
Earn towards a free night with Hotels.com.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Less than 2 hours from Zion, you’ll find Bryce Canyon and its stunning orange hoodoos. The town of Bryce Canyon is a small swath of land, centered around the main road leading into the National Park.
A few hotels, restaurants, and tour operators populate the strip for visitors looking to explore the area. I stayed in the Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn just a couple of minutes from the park entrance. The hotel had everything I needed, a clean, comfortable room and a hot breakfast after watching the sunrise over Bryce Canyon.
| Hotel | Program | Points Per Night |
| Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn | Best Western | 12,000 |
| Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel | Best Western | 20,000 |
| Quality Inn Bryce Canyon | Choice Privileges | 16,000 |
| Rodeway Inn Bryce Canyon | Choice Privileges | 10,000 |
Check current prices in Bryce Canyon. | Book direct with Choice, Best Western, and IHG.
Earn towards a free night with Hotels.com.
Grand Canyon National Park
A day trip (or more!) to the Grand Canyon should be on everyone’s bucket list! The National Park has several access points, but the South Rim attracts the most visitors. It’s possible to stay just a few miles from this entrance in a couple of available hotels.
However, for a fuller stay in the area, I recommend using Flagstaff as your base. Of the 6 million people who visit the Grand Canyon every year, 5 million of them choose Flagstaff as their base. I had a fantastic stay at the DoubleTree in Flagstaff.
The city is just 90 minutes from the South Rim, with easy access to several other notable National Monuments in the area. Flagstaff also features part of the famed Route 66 and has a bustling, historic downtown district with delicious restaurants and artsy clothing and gift boutiques.
Hotels just outside the Grand Canyon South Rim Entrance:
| Hotel | Program | Points Per Night |
| Holiday Inn Express & Suites Grand Canyon | IHG | 40,000 |
| Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire Inn | Best Western | 20,000 |
Hotels in Flagstaff, Arizona:
| Hotel | Program | Points Per Night |
| Holiday Inn Express & Suites Grand Canyon | IHG | 40,000 |
| Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire Inn | Best Western | 20,000 |
| Embassy Suites Hilton Flagstaff | Hilton | 34,000 |
| DoubleTree Flagstaff | Hilton | 31,000 |
| Hilton Garden Inn Flagstaff | Hilton | 27,000 |
| Hampton Inn & Suites Flagstaff | Hilton | 31,000 |
| Super 8 NAU/Downtown Conference Center | Wyndham | 15,000 |
| Howard Johnson Flagstaff University West | Wyndham | 15,000 |
| Baymont Flagstaff | Wyndham | 15,000 |
| Residence Inn Flagstaff | Marriott Bonvoy | Off-Peak: 40,000
Standard: 50,000 Peak: 60,000 |
| SpringHill Suites Flagstaff | Marriott Bonvoy | Off-Peak: 30,000
Standard: 35,000 Peak: 40,000 |
| Courtyard Flagstaff | Marriott Bonvoy | Off-Peak: 30,000
Standard: 35,000 Peak: 40,000 |
| Holiday Inn Express Flagstaff | IHG | 30,000 |
| Comfort Inn I-17 & I-40 | Choice Privileges | 20,000 |
| Sleep Inn Flagstaff | Choice Privileges | 16,000 |
| Comfort Inn Lucky Lane | Choice Privileges | 16,000 |
| Rodeway Inn & Suites I-40 Exit 198 | Choice Privileges | 12,000 |
| Rodeway Inn 2140 East Route 66 | Choice Privileges | 12,000 |
Check current prices in Flagstaff, AZ. | Book direct with Choice, Best Western, and IHG.
Earn towards a free night with Hotels.com.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Estes Park, Colorado is located at the east entrance to the park and the most popular gateway to the park. You’ll find everything you need for a comfortable visit to the National Park including lodging and a walkable downtown area with plenty of good eats.
Free shuttles transport visitors through the town directly to the park’s visitor center for popular hikes. There are shops that rent gear for all of your outdoor need seasonal needs.
Just be sure to watch out for the town’s resident elk(!) as you get around town. There was an entire herd each morning just behind the Best Western Plus Silver Saddle where I stayed.
Hotels in Estes Park:
| Hotel | Program | Points Per Night |
| Best Western Plus Silver Saddle | Best Western | 20,000 |
| The Ridgeline Hotel-Estes Park, Ascend Hotel Collection | Choice Privileges | 30,000 |
| Quality Inn Near Rocky Mountain National Park | Choice Privileges | 25,000 |
Hotels within a 1-hour drive from Estes Park:
| Hotel | Program | Points Per Night |
| Holiday Inn Express – Boulder | IHG | 35,000 |
| Best Western Plus Plaza Hotel | Best Western | 20,000 |
| Best Western University Inn | Best Western | 20,000 |
| Best Western Plus Loveland Inn | Best Western | 16,000 |
| Hyatt Place Boulder/ Pearl Street | Hyatt | 12,000 |
Check current prices in Rocky MTN NP. | Book direct with Choice, Best Western, and IHG.
Earn towards a free night with Hotels.com.
Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park is unlike any other National Park with its native cliff dwellings dating back at least 800 years. The gateway town of Cortez is 15 minutes away from the park’s visitor center, while Durango is just 40 minutes away.
Durango has a preserved downtown with historic buildings and local shops. The town is a foodie haven with excellent restaurant choices lining the main street. While closer, Cortez is quieter with just the basics in terms of visitor needs. For my Colorado road trip, I had a great stay at the Hampton Inn Durango.
| Hotel | Program | Points Per Night |
| Holiday Inn Express Mesa Verde Cortez | IHG | 25,000 |
| Hampton Inn Mesa Verde Cortez | Hilton | 23,000 |
| Best Western Turquoise Inn & Suites Cortez | Best Western | 16,000 |
| Econo Lodge Cortez | Choice Privileges | 40,000 |
| Comfort Inn & Suites Durango | Choice Privileges | 20,000 |
| Quality Inn Durango | Choice Privileges | 20,000 |
| Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Durango | Choice Privileges | 10,000 |
| Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn Durango | Best Western | 24,000 |
| Best Western Durango Inn & Suites Durango | Best Western | 20,000 |
| Best Western Mountain Shadows Durango | Best Western | 16,000 |
| DoubleTree by Hilton Durango | Hilton | 41,000 |
| Homewood Suites Durango | Hilton | 41,000 |
| Hampton Inn Durango | Hilton | 32,000 |
| Holiday Inn Durango Central | IHG | 25,000 |
| Residence Inn Durango | Marriott Bonvoy | Off-Peak: 30,000
Standard: 35,000 Peak: 40,000 |
| Fairfield Inn & Suites Durango | Marriott Bonvoy | Off-Peak: 30,000
Standard: 35,000 Peak: 40,000 |
| Wyndham Durango | Wyndham | 15,000+ |
| Days Inn Durango | Wyndham | 15,000 |
| Super 8 Durango | Wyndham | 15,000 |
| La Quinta Inn & Suites Durango | Wyndham | 15,000 |
Check current prices in Mesa Verde. | Book direct with Choice, Best Western, and IHG.
Earn towards a free night with Hotels.com.
Yellowstone National Park
West Yellowstone and Gardiner, Montana, as well as Cody, Wyoming are gateway communities leading into 3 of Yellowstone’s 5 entrances. Yellowstone is open year-round, but be sure to check the town and entrance you intend to use as all entrances aren’t open all year.
In Cody, WY, you’ll be just a few miles from Yellowstone’s eastern entrance. After a day of hiking, you can channel your inner cowboy/girl by learning more about Buffalo Bill and heading out to the rodeo.
Gardiner, MT has the most in the way of essential services. It’s the closest to Yellowstone’s north entrance so get your camera ready for plentiful wildlife sightings.
West Yellowstone, MT is a tiny town with just the basics. It’s just a mile from the west entrance and has convenient access to Old Faithful.
| Hotel | Program | Points Per Night |
| Holiday Inn West Yellowstone | IHG | 45,000 |
| Residence Inn by Marriott Big Sky/The Wilson Hotel | Marriott Bonvoy | Off-Peak: 20,000
Standard: 25,000 Peak: 30,000 |
| SpringHill Suites Island Park (Opening 9/2020) | Off-Peak: 20,000
Standard: 25,000 Peak: 30,000 |
|
| Best Western Mammoth Hot Springs | Best Western | 24,000 |
| Best Western Desert Inn | Best Western | 16,000 |
| Comfort Inn Yellowstone North | Choice Privileges | 30,000 |
| Best Western Weston Inn | Best Western | 36,000 |
| Quality Inn Cody At Buffalo Bill Village | Choice Privileges | 16,000 |
| Rodeway Inn | Choice Privileges | 16,000 |
| Best Western Weston Inn | Best Western | 36,000 |
| Holiday Inn Cody at Buffalo Village | IHG | 40,000 |
Check current prices in Yellowstone NP. | Book direct with Choice, Best Western, and IHG.
Earn towards a free night with Hotels.com.
Grand Teton National Park
Jackson, Wyoming is just a few minutes from the National Park and has a distinctive feel of a wild west frontier town. Don’t be fooled by this western town’s cowboy-esque exterior. The extremely wealthy and celebrities, alike, have homes in and around the Jackson area. Expect to find spas, restaurants, and even art galleries that cater to upscale seasonal residents.
The mountains, lakes and natural landscapes within the National Park offer an endless number of outdoor adventures, particularly during the summer months when the town is at its busiest.
| Hotel | Program | Points Per Night |
| Hampton Inn Jackson Hole | Hilton | 30,000 |
| Homewood Suites by Hilton Jackson | Hilton | 34,000 |
| SpringHill Suites by Marriott Jackson Hole | Marriott Bonvoy | Off-Peak: 30,000
Standard: 35,000 Peak: 40,000 |
| Super 8 by Wyndham Jackson Hole | Wyndham | 15,000 |
Check current prices in Grand Teton NP. | Book direct with Choice, Best Western, and IHG.
Earn towards a free night with Hotels.com.
Glacier National Park
Whitefish and Kalispell, Montana are west of the park and provide access to the alpine forests, glacier-fed lakes, and mountains within the park. The famous Going-to-Sun-Road is roughly 30 miles from this western entrance by the Apgar Visitor Center.
Whitefish has its share of small shops but also has a larger Safeway. The town offers adventures for all seasons from skiing to zip-lining to hiking.
Kalispell is even more commercial with big name brands like Target and Starbucks. It’s a bit further from the park, with perhaps not as much charm. But, at only 40 minutes from Glacier’s western entrance, it’s a convenient choice nonetheless.
| Hotel | Program | Points Per Night |
| Hilton Garden Inn Kalispell | Hilton | 21,000 |
| Hampton Inn Suites Whitefish | Hilton | 25,000 |
| Hampton Inn Kalispell | Hilton | 22,000 |
| Best Western Plus Flathead Lake Inn And Suites | Best Western | 20,000 |
| Holiday Inn Express & Suites Kalispell | IHG | 35,000 |
| TownePlace Suites Whitefish Kalispell | Marriott Bonvoy | Off-Peak: 20,000
Standard: 25,000 Peak: 30,000 |
| Homewood Suites Kalispell, MT | Hilton | 26,000 |
| SpringHill Suites Kalispell | Marriott Bonvoy | Off-Peak: 20,000
Standard: 25,000 Peak: 30,000 |
| Best Western Rocky Mountain Lodge | Best Western | 20,000 |
| Super 8 Kalispell | Wyndham | 15,000 |
| The Pine Lodge on Whitefish River-Ascend Hotel Collection | Choice Privileges | 20,000 |
| Quality Inn Big Sky | Choice Privileges | 10,000 |
| Econo Lodge Inn & Suites | Choice Privileges | 8,000 |
| Travelodge Kalispell | Wyndham | 15,000 |
| La Quinta Inn & Suites Kalispell | Wyndham | 15,000 |
| Baymont Whitefish | Wyndham | 15,000 |
| Timbers Motel Travelodge | Wyndham | 7,500 |
Check current prices in Glacier NP. | Book direct with Choice, Best Western, and IHG.
Earn towards a free night with Hotels.com.
Yosemite National Park
Oakdale, Mariposa, Oakhurst, and Mammoth Lakes, California all offer hotel lodgings with loyalty programs. Oakhurst is the closest at just 22 miles from Yosemite’s southern entrance. The remaining gateway towns are between 30-40 miles from a Yosemite entrance. To immerse yourself in the area’s natural beauty, you’ll need to head into the National Park itself.
| Hotel | Program | Points Per Night |
| Quality Inn Yosemite Valley Gateway | Choice Privileges | 16,000 |
| Sierra Sky Ranch, Ascend Hotel Collection | Choice Privileges | 16,000 |
| Comfort Inn Yosemite Area | Choice Privileges | 16,000 |
| The Westin Monache Resort, Mammoth Lakes | Marriott Bonvoy | Off-Peak: 40,000
Standard: 50,000 Peak: 60,000 |
| Fairfield Inn & Suites Oakhurst (opening 1/2020 | Marriott Bonvoy | Off-Peak: 15,000
Standard: 17,500 Peak: 20,000 |
| Best Western Plus Yosemite Way Station Motel | Best Western | 24,000 |
| Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn | Best Western | 24,000 |
Check current prices in Yosemite NP. | Book direct with Choice, Best Western, and IHG.
Earn towards a free night with Hotels.com.
Olympic National Park
Port Angeles and Sequim, Washington are gateway towns to the park situated on the Olympic Peninsula.
Port Angeles is just minutes from the National Park visitor center, while Sequim is about an hour away. With access to the straits and channels leading to the Pacific Ocean, ferries to the islands and nearby British Columbia, beaches, kayaking, and numerous outdoor activities are all convenient to the area.
Both towns also offer downtown areas with shops and markets.
| Hotel | Program | Points Per Night |
| Quality Inn Uptown | Choice Privileges | 12,000 |
| Quality Inn & Suites At Olympic National Park | Choice Privileges | 12,000 |
| Econo Lodge | Choice Privileges | 10,000 |
| Quality Inn & Suites | Choice Privileges | 12,000 |
| Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Sequim |
IHG | 35,000 |
| Days Inn by Wyndham Port Angeles | Wyndham | 15,000 |
| Super 8 Port Angeles | Wyndham | 15,000 |
Check current prices in Olympic NP. | Book direct with Choice, Best Western, and IHG.
Earn towards a free night with Hotels.com.
Acadia National Park
Bar Harbor, Maine is surrounded by the National Park gem of the east coast, Acadia.
The town sits on the Atlantic coast on Mount Desert Island. It’s a quintessential New England harbor with sailboats tethered to piers in Frenchman’s Bay and quaint streets lined with specialty shops and restaurants.
While the Bar Harbor area is home to numerous privately owned guesthouses and hotels, there are a few options for those who want to book an award stay with hotel points.
| Hotel | Program | Points Per Night |
| Holiday Inn Resort Bar Harbor | IHG | 50,000 |
| Hampton Inn Bar Harbor | Hilton | 51,000 |
| Quality Inn | Choice Privileges | 20,000 |
| Days Inn Bar Harbor | Wyndham | 15,000 |
Check current prices in Acadia NP. | Book direct with Choice, Best Western, and IHG.
Earn towards a free night with Hotels.com.
Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville in Tennessee and Cherokee, North Carolina are your best options for using hotel points on a visit to Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
This is the most visited National Park in the United States. At the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway with Shenandoah National Park to the north, Great Smoky Mountain National Park makes a fantastic finish to an east coast road trip.
Expect to find a large, sprawling town in Gatlinburg with all basic amenities and tourist attractions like Ripley’s Believe or Not Museum.
Cherokee is only 25 minutes from the park’s entrance on the North Carolina side and, as its name suggests, has deep Native American roots. Where Gatlinburg is a town all to itself, the food and lodging amenities in Cherokee exist because of the area’s tourism.
| Hotel | Program | Points Per Night |
| Bluegreen Vacations Mountain Loft Ascend Resort Collection | Choice Privileges | 30,000 |
| Econo Lodge Inn & Suites On The River Gatlinburg | Choice Privileges | 12,000 |
| Quality Inn Creekside Downtown Gatlinburg | Choice Privileges | 16,000 |
| Econo Lodge Inn & Suites At The Convention Center Gatlinburg | Choice Privileges | 12,000 |
| Clarion Inn Gatlinburg | Choice Privileges | 10,000 |
| Quality Inn & Suites Gatlinburg | Choice Privileges | 16,000 |
| Sleep Inn & Suites Gatlinburg | Choice Privileges | 20,000 |
| Quality Inn & Suites At Dollywood Lane Pigeon Forge | Choice Privileges | 16,000 |
| Econo Lodge Pigeon Forge | Choice Privileges | 10,000 |
| Comfort Inn & Suites At Dollywood Lane Pigeon Forge | Choice Privileges | 20,000 |
| Mainstay Suites Conference Center Pigeon Forge | Choice Privileges | 25,000 |
| Quality Inn Near The Island Pigeon Forge | Choice Privileges | 16,000 |
| Clarion Inn Pigeon Forge | Choice Privileges | 16,000 |
| Econo Lodge Riverside Pigeon Forge | Choice Privileges | 16,000 |
| Comfort Suites Mountain Mile Area Pigeon Forge | Choice Privileges | 25,000 |
| Comfort Inn Apple Valley Sevierville, TN | Choice Privileges | 25,000 |
| Sleep Inn Sevierville, TN | Choice Privileges | 12,000 |
| Econo Lodge Sevierville, TN | Choice Privileges | 16,000 |
| Quality Inn & Suites Sevierville – Pigeon Forge | Choice Privileges | 16,000 |
| Clarion Inn Willow River Sevierville, TN | Choice Privileges | 16,000 |
| Rodeway Inn & Suites On The River Cherokee, NC | Choice Privileges | 10,000 |
| Comfort Suites Kodak Sevierville | Choice Privileges | 16,000 |
| Quality Inn Kodak Sevierville | Choice Privileges | 10,000 |
| Econo Lodge Cherokee, NC | Choice Privileges | 16,000 |
| Sleep Inn Bryson City – Cherokee, NC | Choice Privileges | 20,000 |
| Hampton Inn Gatlinburg | Hilton | 30,000 |
| Hampton Inn Gatlinburg Historic Nature Trail | Hilton | 50,000 |
| The Park Vista – a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel – Gatlinburg | Hilton | 32,000 |
| Hilton Garden Inn Gatlinburg | Hilton | 50,000 |
| Holiday Inn Express Gatlinburg Downtown | IHG | 30,000 |
| Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Pigeon Forge/Near Dollywood |
IHG | 35,000 |
| Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Pigeon Forge – Sevierville |
IHG | 25,000 |
| Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Cherokee/Casino |
IHG | 35,000 |
| Fairfield Inn & Suites Gatlinburg Downtown | Marriott Bonvoy | Off-Peak: 30,000
Standard: 35,000 Peak: 40,000 |
| Courtyard Marriott Gatlinburg Downtown | Marriott Bonvoy | Off-Peak: 30,000
Standard: 35,000 Peak: 40,000 |
| Courtyard Marriott Pigeon Forge | Marriott Bonvoy | Off-Peak: 30,000
Standard: 35,000 Peak: 40,000 |
| SpringHill Suites Pigeon Forge | Marriott Bonvoy | Off-Peak: 30,000
Standard: 35,000 Peak: 40,000 |
| Fairfield Inn & Suites Cherokee, NC | Marriott Bonvoy | Off-Peak: 30,000
Standard: 35,000 Peak: 40,000 |
| Fairfield Inn & Suites Pigeon Forge | Marriott Bonvoy | Off-Peak: 30,000
Standard: 35,000 Peak: 40,000 |
| Baymont By Wyndham Gatlinburg On The River | Wyndham | 15,000 |
| Super 8 by Wyndham Downtown Gatlinburg at Convention Center | Wyndham | 15,000 |
| Super 8 by Wyndham Downtown Gatlinburg at Convention Center | Wyndham | 15,000 |
| Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Gatlinburg | Wyndham | 15,000 |
| Howard Johnson by Wyndham Downtown Gatlinburg | Wyndham | 15,000 |
| SureStay Plus Hotel
Gatlinburg |
Wyndham | 20,000 |
| Best Western Toni Inn Pigeon Forge | Best Western | 20,000 |
| Best Western Plaza Inn Pigeon Forge | Best Western | 20,000 |
| SureStay Hotel Pigeon Forge | Best Western | 16,000 |
| Best Western Cades Cove Inn | Best Western | 20,000 |
| Best Western Sevierville/Kodak Inn | Best Western | 20,000 |
Check current prices in GSM NP. | Book direct with Choice, Best Western, and IHG.
Earn towards a free night with Hotels.com.
The National Parks in the United States are full of natural beauty just waiting to be explored. With some planning, your visit can cost a lot less when you make use of hotel points for hotels in National Park gateways.
Are you planning a visit to the National Parks taking advantage of hotel loyalty programs for free nights?
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Absolutely fantastic posting! Lots of useful information you got here for travellers….Thanks for Sharing such informative content…
Thanks, Maggie!
I’ve just returned from a trip to the National Parks and although I like to save money, I have found that it is worthwhile to spend the money to stay at the lodges or cabins inside the parks. It gives you a whole different experience. I was able to see both the stillness and peacefulness of the park at sunrise and sunset and watch the nearby animals without crowds of people. Plus, most in-park lodges have their own personalities and are located in the most scenic locations, with excellent access to in-park transportation and facilities.
I always book directly with the concessionaire and for the most popular ones as soon as reservations open up.
Thanks for offering a different viewpoint, Clare! It would certainly be nice to see the park quiet in the morning and at night. The lodge at Zion NP looked very nice. Unfortunately, we booked our trip last minute and this wasn’t an option. I also like saving on accommodations by using points to afford excursions that might not otherwise be possible. Thanks for sharing another option for people to consider for their NP trip! It’s so appreciated. 🙂
This is fantastic! I did a lot of national park visits when I was a kid, via RV or (gasp) in a tent. When I go back I’d love to have a hot shower and a room not on wheels this time 🙂 Love the points graphic too, I bookmarked that for later!
Thanks, Eileen! A tent! (shock, horror…joke!) I have those same childhood memories, thus the reason for a comfy room to come back to! Glad the infographic will be useful! 🙂
Wow, this article is probably one of the best I have read on the topic of redeeming and maximising your points, as well as using them to benefit from free hotel nights.
I salute you for all the efforts. I pinned it! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing, Svetoslav! Hope it will be helpful for anyone wanting to use points for National Park stays!
We have visited only one of the National Parks listed here and that is Yellowstone. We love National Parks, they are veritable treasure troves of natural beauty in all its splendour. And yes many a time accommodation with easy access to the parks is an issue. Your post packs in a lot of information on the accommodation available near each National Park and how to use hotel points. Very useful information,, will store this for easy reference.
Thanks so much! It can be so tricky to know where to stay if you’re not camping or in an RV. Glad the post will be useful for you. 🙂
That is so cool that you can do that! I always learn a new travel hack or two after reading your posts!
Thanks, Anna! Hope you can put a few of the hacks to good use! 🙂
We love staying in that actual park when possible but it seems like you really have to plan ahead as places fill up so fast during high season. Staying in a nearby hotel is good idea too so you can get to the park ASAP in the morning. We’re mostly Hilton and IHG people so I am happy to see several options near Great Smoky Mountain National park. Hoping to road trip there this summer!
Have an awesome trip to Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Alana! We booked our National Park road trip last minute and couldn’t stay in the parks we visited. We were really happy with IHG, too. The Holiday Inn Expresses we stayed at were consistently nice and cozy and were situated close to the parks for an easy early morning arrival.