Parks Embrace Comfort
National Parks See Rise in Soft Adventure Stays, Broadening Access for Diverse Visitors
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Key Points
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Arizona ranks #2 for soft-adventure national park stays, indicating a high demand for in-park lodging and park-run RV camps in the state.
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Utah ranks #7 for soft-adventure national park stays, showing strong popularity of in-park lodging and RV camps among visitors.
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Colorado ranks #14 for soft-adventure national park stays, reflecting notable interest in park-based accommodations in the state.
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Oregon ranks #13 for soft-adventure national park stays, indicating a mid-to-high level of demand for in-park lodging and park-run RV camps in the state.
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Virginia ranks #10 for soft-adventure national park stays, placing the state among those highlighted for in-park accommodations.
The American West is dominating a new wave of national park travel, with visitors increasingly swapping sleeping bags for cabin beds and glamping tents. A study by Dunhill Travel Deals analyzed overnight stay data across all 63 National Park Service units to rank states by demand for 'soft adventure' — a category that includes in-park lodges, historic hotels, cabins, and park-run RV camps.
Arizona claimed the #2 spot nationwide, while Utah landed at #7. Colorado, Oregon, and Virginia also cracked the top 15. The findings suggest that parks in the West and beyond are drawing a broader crowd — families, older adults, and first-time outdoor visitors who want iconic landscapes without the roughing-it part.
Arizona and Utah Lead the Western Surge
Arizona ranks #2 in the country for soft-adventure national park stays, according to Dunhill Travel Deals. That puts it just behind the top state and well ahead of most of the nation. The state's draw is clear — parks like the Grand Canyon offer in-park lodges and RV camps steps away from one of the world's most famous landscapes.
Utah comes in at #7. The state is home to five national parks — Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef — giving visitors a wide range of in-park lodging options. Together, Arizona and Utah signal that the Southwest has become a hotspot for comfort-first park travel.
Colorado, Oregon, and Virginia Round Out the Top 15
Colorado ranks #14 and Oregon ranks #13 for soft-adventure stays, Dunhill Travel Deals found. Both states have popular parks with established lodging. Oregon's Crater Lake and Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park are known draws for visitors who want comfort close to nature.
Virginia lands at #10, a notable showing for an East Coast state. According to Inside Nova, the ranking reflects strong demand for in-park lodging and park-run RV camps in the state. Shenandoah National Park, with its historic Skyline Drive lodges, is likely a key driver of that demand.
Soft Adventure Opens Parks to a Wider Crowd
'Soft adventure' means visitors get the park experience without needing gear, training, or physical endurance. Think lodge rooms, cabin rentals, and RV hookups — not tents and trail mix. Dunhill Travel Deals says these options make parks more accessible for families with young kids, older travelers, and people with mobility challenges.
The trend also reflects a post-pandemic shift in how Americans vacation. More people tried the outdoors during COVID-19 lockdowns. Many stayed interested but wanted more comfort. In-park accommodations let those visitors stay inside park boundaries rather than driving from outside towns each day.
Not Every State Shares the Soft-Adventure Boom
The rankings show a clear divide. States like Michigan rank near the bottom for soft-adventure stays, according to Herald Palladium. That gap may reflect fewer in-park lodging options, different visitor habits, or parks that draw more day-trippers than overnight guests.
Kentucky ranks #12, per Floyd County Times, landing in the middle of the pack. The spread from top to bottom shows that soft-adventure infrastructure is not equal across parks. Western states with larger, more iconic parks have a built-in advantage in attracting the comfort-seeking traveler.
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