Looking for a way to spend time outdoors, crush miles, and explore backcountry wilderness—but aren’t too keen on cooking your meals over a camp stove or sleeping on the ground? No problem. These seven hikes around the United States offer ample time in nature, while allowing you to relax in relative luxury and style at the end of the day. That way, you’re practically guaranteed to be rested and rejuvenated for another round of hiking on Day Two (or Three or Four).
Minam River Lodge, Wallowa Mountains, Oregon
Located in the Eagle Cap Wilderness in Wallowa–Whitman National Forest of eastern Oregon, the Wallowa Mountains are a popular spot for backpacking among Pacific Northwesterners. Those who want to explore the backcountry without lugging all their gear for a few nights in the woods can enjoy the big views and quiet stillness of the region thanks to the Minam River Lodge.
The wilderness outpost is only accessible by foot (via an 8.5-mile hike on Horse Ranch Trail from Moss Springs Trailhead), horseback riding, or by flying in via chartered plane. It offers private cabins and lodge rooms, plus wood-fired hot tubs to soak your tired muscles. There is a three-night minimum, so take time to explore the miles of trails around the lodge, too, including the stunning Backbone Ridge Trail or North Minam Meadows.
Appalachian Mountain Club lodges, 100-Mile Wilderness, Maine
You’ll need several hours to drive to the 100-Mile Wilderness in remote central Maine.
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The Appalachian Mountain Club has been building huts and lodges along trails from Maine to Virginia since the 1800s. While some are rustic with only self-service, others offer mattresses, showers, private rooms or cabins, and meals cooked by staff. You can still only reach most by hiking or skiing.
Maine is particularly special because of the option to cross-country ski on groomed trails to lodges that remain fully operational in winter—and they have saunas. Summer also sees many hikers and cyclists come through. One of the best networks to hike or ski lodge to lodge is in the 100-Mile Wilderness deep in central Maine, going from Gorman Chairback to Little Lyford (self-service in summer) to Medawisla, with the option to stop at the private family-owned West Branch Pond Camps along the way. It’s typically less than 10 miles to each lodge, although there are also 130 miles of surrounding trails to explore. A hot breakfast, packed lunch, and abundant dinner are included in the price of the room, to refuel and satisfy hungry hikers with creative dishes like coconut curries.
Lodges along the Appalachian Trail, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
More than 500 miles of trails run through Shenandoah National Park.
Photo by Jon Bilous/Shutterstock
For a luxurious way to experience the famed Appalachian Trail, book this hiking package offered by Shenandoah National Park in Virginia that includes meals and a two- or three-night stay in lodges. Participants do a self-guided hike from Lewis Mountain Cabins to Big Meadows Lodge to Skyland, which are operated by authorized park concessionaire Delaware North Parks and Resorts at Shenandoah. (Note that if you book individual stays at each lodge rather than the package deal, things like lunch and transfers won’t be included, so you’ll need to pack accordingly.)
Each day, you’ll trek between seven to nine miles through deciduous forests and past rolling green peaks, traveling from one night’s accommodations to the next. Big Meadows and Skyland offer hikers packed lunches and trail memorabilia. The reservations office will also share contact info for shuttle services to take you back to your car at the end of the one-way journey.
Valley of the Moon, Sonoma County, California
Besides visiting vineyards, travelers on the Valley of the Moon Trail will also see places like Jack London State Historic Park.
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The Sonoma Valley Hikers Trek offered by California-based Wine Country Trekking is a combination of long hikes in picturesque locations such as Kenwood and Glen Ellen, winetastings overlooking vineyards, and dinner at local restaurants. It’s less of a point-to-point hike and more of a self-guided tour of state and local parks. Breakfast, wine samples, and luggage transfers are included.
Over five days and four nights, you’ll spend three days hiking (the first and last days are reserved for arrival and relaxing before departure) about eight to nine miles per day up mountains, past lakes, and through orchards. You’ll also partake in picnic lunches, tastings from local vineyards, and relaxing at luxury inns along the way. Depending on the day, you may be transported to and from trailheads for occasionally strenuous hikes, or you can hoof it to each destination. Either way, you’ll have earned your libations at the end of the day.
Phantom Ranch, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Down on the canyon floor—accessible only by foot, mule, or raft—is Phantom Ranch, designed by famed Southwest architect Mary Colter.
Courtesy of Michael Quinn/Grand Canyon NPS
For a truly majestic hiking experience, lace up your boots, stock up on electrolytes, and hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon in Arizona for a stay alongside the Colorado River at Phantom Ranch. While more rustic than luxurious, these stone cabins still offer essential amenities, including proper beds, private bathrooms, and towels, plus heating and air-conditioning. There’s a central shower house, and the Phantom Ranch Canteen is open for breakfast and dinner (you can order packed lunches for hikes).
While those with good physical fitness can hike down either Bright Angel or North Kaibab Trail in one day and back up the next, we recommend you stay longer if you can. The views from the bottom of the canyon—including verdant riparian environments along the river and towering red cliffs on every side—are arguably more impressive than from the rim. Usually, reservations are available only via lottery, which must be entered over a year in advance. Prefer a guided trip? Wildland Trekking, a third-party tour operator, offers an all-inclusive two- or three-day hike and stay at Phantom Ranch.
Lodges along the Presidential Traverse, White Mountains, New Hampshire
Lakes of the Clouds Hut is one of the most popular lodges in New Hampshire’s White Mountains.
Photo by Kevin Cavrell/Shutterstock
This hike in New Hampshire’s Presidential Range is full of superlatives: It travels along the oldest continuously used hiking trail in the United States (Crawford Path), provides lodging by the highest elevated mountain lakes on the East Coast (Lakes of the Clouds), and summits the tallest peak in New England (Mount Washington).
A whole system of lodges and backcountry huts is set up through the White Mountains, including along sections of the Appalachian Trail, that provide cooked meals, hot showers, and shuttle transportation from one end to the other. You can park your car at one terminus, either Joe Dodge Lodge or the Highland Center, shuttle to the other end, and then walk about 20 miles over three or four days back to the parking lot. Accommodations along the way (such as Madison Spring Hut, Lakes of the Clouds Hut, and Mizpah Spring Hut) offer a full breakfast and dinner, as well as an optional packed lunch add-on for the trail, during the months of June through September.
Cabins along Ozark Highlands Trail, White Rock Mountain and Lake Fort Smith State Park, Arkansas
Explore the 1.2 million acres of the Ozark National Forest on this trail.
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Located in northwest Arkansas, the 270-mile Ozark Highlands Trail runs through state parks and the Ozark National Forest. While the whole trail can be completed as a thru-hike over a few weeks, visitors can tackle a section or two and still see plenty of waterfalls, rivers, and forests.
Book a private cabin at Lake Fort Smith State Park (operated by the park), the trail’s starting point. Then walk 17 miles of the trail before stopping at White Rock Mountain Lodge and Cabins, operated by White Rock Recreation Management. Both destinations are fully equipped with kitchens and private bathrooms, but you’ll have to bring your own linens or sleeping bag to White Rock Mountain. (Note: You’ll need to arrange your own transportation back to the starting trailhead.)
