These Gateway Towns Might Just Outshine the National Parks Next Door

Gateway towns to national parks are more than just convenient stops for snacks or gas. Across the USA, these vibrant communities are essential to the national park experience, serving as homes and leisure spots for rangers off duty. While they offer stunning access to nature, these towns also boast rich histories, diverse cuisines, and hidden gems. Here are nine small towns that rival the national parks beside them.

Big Bend: Marathon, Texas

• How to get there: The closest major airport is located about 150 miles away in Midland.
• Distance from the park: 40 miles to Big Bend National Park

West Texas stretches far and wide, and if you’re arriving by plane, you'll likely land in Midland, approximately 195 miles from the nearest entrance to Big Bend, Persimmon Gap. On your lengthy drive south, make sure to stop in Marathon for more than just refueling. With a population of fewer than 400, this quirky town is steeped in Old West charm, reminiscent of Marfa before the art scene took over. The heart of the town is the Gage Hotel, established in 1927 by cattle baron Alfred Gage. Today, the hotel is involved in many local businesses: It operates the 12 Gage Restaurant, serving dishes like braised quail and chicken-fried steak; the White Buffalo Bar, known for its fantastic margaritas; Brick Vault Brewery & Barbecue, set in a former gas station; and V6 Coffee Bar, located next to a gift shop of the same name, offering items like creosote bush CBD balm and locally crafted leather coasters. After visiting the galleries of photographers James H. Evans and E. Dan Klepper, venture outside the town for some stargazing at the Marathon Sky Park, which features a pair of Dobsonian Reflector telescopes and hosts nightly star parties.

Yosemite: Groveland, California

• How to get there: Groveland is located less than 150 miles from airports in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Fresno, and Sacramento.
• Distance from the park: 24 miles to Yosemite National Park

Established as a gold mining camp in 1852, Groveland lies adjacent to the Stanislaus National Forest, boasting 78 lakes and over 1,000 miles of hiking trails, and is just a half-hour's drive to Yosemite’s Big Oak Entrance on the park's western edge. Initially named Garrote, which means death by strangulation in Spanish, it reflects the swift frontier justice of the time. In the town, you'll discover the Iron Door Saloon, opened in 1852 and recognized as the state's longest continually operating bar; don't forget to look up at the ceiling where about $4,000 in cash is pinned, a quirky tradition of patrons tossing thumbtacks skyward.

A newer spot to grab a drink is the Around the Horn Brewing Company, named after the Gold Rush-era tradition of sailing from the East Coast around South America to seek fortune in California. You can delve into this history at the Groveland Yosemite Gateway Museum or the Hotel Charlotte, which opened in 1921 thanks to a pioneering Italian immigrant named Charlotte DeFerrari. Today, the hotel offers cozy, traditional rooms that avoid excessive Victorian decor, with some featuring clawfoot tubs and vibrant patterned wallpaper.

Zion: Springdale, Utah

• How to get there: The nearest regional airport is in St. George, Utah, about 45 miles away. If you're coming from farther away, you’ll likely drive from airports in Las Vegas (160 miles) or Salt Lake City (310 miles).
• Distance from the park: Just 1 mile to Zion National Park

Consider this former Mormon farming community as the gateway to Zion: Positioned right at the entrance of the park, it began its evolution into a gateway town in the 1910s after President Taft designated Mukuntuweap National Monument (later renamed Zion), prompting the establishment of tourist amenities. Nestled along the Virgin River and framed by striking red-rock cliffs, this town serves as an excellent base for exploring the national park.

Today, it boasts numerous inns, cabins, and hotels, including the Cliffrose, Curio Collection by Hilton, where you can indulge in a much-needed post-hike massage at the Five Petals Spa. Take some time to explore local shops and galleries for gems, minerals, fossils, or Native American art and jewelry at Tribal Arts Zion, and cap off your day with dinner at King’s Landing Bistro, where seasonal dishes may feature fried quail with apple cider waffles or vegan chili with cornbread. After a hearty breakfast at Feellove Coffee or Deep Creek Coffee Company, savvy adventurers can catch the free shuttle to enjoy the national park during its car-free season.

Olympic: Sequim, Washington

• Getting there: Seattle–Tacoma International Airport is approximately 115 miles away.
• Distance from the park: 17 miles from Olympic National Park.

Covering nearly 1 million acres, Olympic National Park boasts an astonishing variety of landscapes, from temperate rainforests to Pacific coastlines, glaciers, and towering mountains. It also experiences—much to the dismay of campers and hikers—a significant amount of rainfall. Contrarily, “Sunny Sequim” is nestled in a rain shadow, receiving only about 16 inches of rainfall annually, compared to the 10 feet of rain that falls in Forks, located about 60 miles to the west across the peninsula. This climate, reminiscent of southern France, has earned Sequim (pronounced “skwim”) the title of Lavender Capital of North America. During the season, you can harvest the fragrant herb from local farms or savor it in ice cream or lattes.

On the northern edge of town, the Dungeness Spit stretches out as the longest sand spit in the country, extending more than five miles into the Strait of Juan de Fuca as part of a national wildlife refuge. This area is perfect for an out-and-back hike, where you may encounter harlequin ducks, snowy owls, harbor seals, orcas, and bald eagles. You can also enjoy breathtaking coastal views from the Juan de Fuca Cottages.

Kenai Fjords: Seward, Alaska

• Getting there: From May to September, you can catch the daily Coastal Classic Train operated by Alaska Railroad from Anchorage or drive the scenic 125 miles yourself along the Seward Highway, a designated National Scenic Byway.
• Distance from the park: 12 miles from Kenai Fjords National Park

While most of this glacier-rich national park can only be reached by airplane, boat, or on foot, there is one area around Exit Glacier at its northernmost point that you can access by car, located just a convenient 15-minute drive northwest of Seward. This southern end of the Alaska Railroad on Resurrection Bay has evolved significantly from its origins as a Russian fur trading post and a military base during World War II. Nowadays, Seward is a bustling cruise port, but don’t miss out if you only plan to visit for a day.

The wildlife-abundant waters of the nearby fjord form the core of the tourism experience here, whether you’re fishing for halibut and salmon with a guided charter or cruising in search of orcas and migratory species such as humpback, minke, fin, and gray whales. On land, you can explore the state's only public aquarium, the Alaska SeaLife Center, where you can arrange special encounters like feeding Steller sea lions, octopuses, or puffins, and enjoy restaurants serving fresh seafood from the fjord, including spot prawns and king crab. To fully experience the local atmosphere, consider booking a stylish rental at Salted Roots Cabins, nestled in a forest just south of town.

Hawai‘i Volcanoes: Volcano, Hawai‘i

• Getting there: The town is approximately a 100-mile drive from Kona International Airport.
• Distance from the park: 1 mile to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, located on the Island of Hawai‘i, is home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes, where spouting, bubbling, and smoking eruptions are a regular sight. Just a minute’s drive from the park entrance lies Volcano Village, a community brimming with a different kind of energy: creativity. Encircled by red-blossoming ōhi‘a lehua trees, the village hosts one of the two locations of the Volcano Art Center, featuring gallery exhibits, hula performances, movie nights, and live jazz (the other location, shown above, is situated within the national park). Here, you’ll also find Volcano Garden Arts, a converted farmhouse that now serves as a gallery and café offering locally sourced coffee. Nearby is the Volcano Winery, the southernmost winery in the United States, which complements its selection of grape wines with unique varieties made from guava, macadamia blossom honey, and white tea cultivated in the back. One of the most unique places to stay in the area is the Volcano Rainforest Retreat Bed & Breakfast, where your mornings begin on your cottage’s lanai as you listen to native birds welcoming the day.

Acadia: Bar Harbor, Maine

• Getting there: The town is roughly 175 miles from Portland and 280 miles from Boston.
• Distance from the park: 0 miles to Acadia National Park.

Nestled adjacent to the Mount Desert Island portion of New England’s sole national park, Bar Harbor has long lured affluent visitors, including notable names like Vanderbilt, Rockefeller, and Astor since the Gilded Age. Today, you can still revel in the splendor of that era at places like the Balance Rock Inn, which was once the lavish 1903 summer residence of a Scottish railroad magnate, and the Bar Harbor Historical Society, located in a 13,000-square-foot château from the same year. To delve into a different aspect of local history, be sure to visit the Abbe Museum, Maine’s only Smithsonian-affiliated cultural center, which highlights the narrative of the Wabanaki Nations. In true Maine fashion, lobster is a staple here, with Bar Harbor estimated to consume over 5 million lobsters annually. While you can enjoy lobster in mac and cheese at Side Street Cafe, as benedict at Jeannie’s Great Maine Breakfast, or in rolls at various spots around town, for the ultimate experience, treat yourself to a scoop of the special ice cream at Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium, featuring chunks of buttery frozen lobster.

Rocky Mountain: Grand Lake, Colorado

• Getting there: Grand Lake is located about 100 miles southeast of Denver.
• Distance from the park: 1 mile to Rocky Mountain National Park.

Estes Park serves as the renowned eastern entrance to the Rockies, while the more serene Grand Lake rests on the western edge, bordering Colorado’s largest and deepest natural lake at an elevation of 8,369 feet. Formed by glaciers roughly 12,000 years ago and originally known as Spirit Lake by the Utes, this body of water is a year-round playground for locals. In summer, they enjoy the sandy beach and navigate the waters via kayaks or stand-up paddleboards; in winter, they ice fish for kokanee salmon and trout or engage in hockey on its frozen surface. (You might be tempted to swim, but keep in mind that the water rarely exceeds the mid-60s Fahrenheit.) Experience the authentic western vibe with a stay at the Grand Lake Lodge, which features a charming lakefront porch with swings and rocking chairs, along with a collection of recently updated historic cabins that were originally sourced from the Sears and Roebuck catalog, complete with cozy Pendleton blankets.

Great Smoky Mountains: Townsend, Tennessee

• Getting there: Nearby cities include Knoxville (30 miles), Asheville (110 miles), and Chattanooga (125 miles); for those coming from farther away, Nashville (200 miles) or Atlanta (190 miles) are viable airports.
• Distance from the park: 0 miles to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Great Smoky Mountains consistently holds the title of the most visited national park in the United States, drawing in 12.9 million visitors in 2022. The surrounding foothills are dotted with various gateway towns, many embracing a touch of Appalachian kitsch. In contrast, Townsend has earned the nickname "the peaceful side of the Smokies," offering a more nature-centered experience: tubing along the Little River, enjoying a swim in the Townsend Wye swimming hole, or cruising the scenic Cades Cove loop to observe white-tailed deer, black bears, and wild turkeys. In the town, you can find comfort at places like Dancing Bear Lodge and Appalachian Bistro, known for its refined takes on traditional dishes such as confit rabbit succotash and sweet-tea-brined pork chops, or Peaceful Side Social Brewery and Craft Kitchen, where you can enjoy local beers alongside a smoked trout sandwich or black-eyed pea hummus. While the upscale Blackberry Mountain resort is in nearby Walland, we also have a soft spot for the whimsical appeal of Little Arrow Outdoor Resort with its tiny homes, cabins, and glamping tents.