From a Denver hotel resembling an aspen grove to national-parks-adjacent stays with mountain-bike rentals and train access into the Grand Canyon, these new places are definitely on our vacation radar
By Jen Murphy, January 30, 2025
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good campsite. But sometimes after a big day of adventure, I crave the comfort and ease of a great hotel with a friendly staff, farm-to-table meals, gear rentals, and maybe even a sauna and cold plunge. Both in the U.S. and abroad, a plethora of brands are catering to guests who love the outdoors, such as glamping masters Under Canvas and community-centric LOGE camps.
But we all have limited vacation time and need to pick our getaway stays thoughtfully. As someone who’s on the road half the year, I can assure you that these are worth traveling for.
The newest outposts that excite me most are popping up in perfect locations, from the doorsteps of popular national parks to some urban gems bringing nature indoors with innovative biophilic design. Here’s my hotel hot list for 2025.
Firefall Ranch at Yosemite
Near Groveland, California
The Yosemite area has never had more choice for boutique accommodations, and this is another property on Route 120 I’m eager to recommend. The 300-acre Firefall Ranch opened last summer and is made for the active crowd. You can look forward to a spacious saltwater pool (complete with shave-ice service), forest disc golf, bouldering, and beach volleyball.
