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Reader Participation Day: Where's The Best View From A Dining Room In A National Park?

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Published Date

July 3, 2013

The view from the dining room at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Lakes National Park includes peaks in Glacier National Park, the U. S. "half" of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Glacier Park, Inc. photo.

As we've covered recently in the Traveler, there are restaurants in and near national parks that serve up some mighty fine food, but not all of them offer an outstanding view to go with your meal.

There are, however, some dining rooms where the scenery could be considered the ultimate complement to a memorable breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Examples include the view across Bartlett Cove toward the Fairweather Range from the Glacier Bay Lodge in Alaska or the mountain panorama from the Pisgah Inn, along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

What are your choices for the restaurants with the best "national park view"?

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Comments

Submitted by WAB on July 3, 2013 - 2:57pm.

Metate Room, Mesa Verde NP


Submitted by Megaera on July 3, 2013 - 6:03pm.

On the balcony above the porte cochere at the Old Faithful Inn. The nice thing is you can get food at the Inn, or bring your own.

The cafeteria in the Old Faithful Lodge, too, for that matter.


Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on July 3, 2013 - 6:13pm.

Hmmm, no mention of the view from the Arizona Room down into the Grand Canyon on the South Room? Or of the pounding Pacific Ocean from Kalaloch Lodge??


Submitted by Quiet please on July 3, 2013 - 7:35pm.

I have to agree with gutz54 way to many to pick just one.

Off the topic some but a sack lunch sitting in a lawn chair can be just as memory filled.

Just you and the quietness of it all.

A happy 4th to all and the fredom to enjoy our great nation.


Submitted by justinh on July 3, 2013 - 7:47pm.

How about the lawn at Jordan Pond House, Acadia NP?


Submitted by Quiet please on July 3, 2013 - 8:10pm.

Now that makes me hungry/Never ending list!


Submitted by y_p_w on July 4, 2013 - 10:14am.

The Ahwahnee Hotel Dining Room is pretty well known for its view:

Now I've personally asked for a window seat at the Mountain Room at Yosemite Lodge:

The Old Faithful Lodge Cafeteria looks right on Old Faithful and costs less than at the Old Faithful Inn:

I can't find a decent photo looking out the window, but Hurricane Ridge at Olympic NP has a place to eat.

Now the place I will miss is the Volcano House snack bar. The view still exists, but apparently the new concessionaire tore down the wall and expanded the dining room by eliminating the snack bar. It's generally what I expect out of NPS concessions these days - to limit affordability and only reserve the best experiences for those who can afford it. I remember when one could buy a hot dog at the snack bar for $3 and enjoy a view as good as in the dining room next door.


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