Across the Northwest are many picturesque national parks that double as stunning backdrops for events and team outings. While spring and summer tend to be peak visitation seasons, fall and winter offer a quieter environment and better access to enjoy the natural landscapes. Some parks experience closures once winter sets in and snow begins to fall, but planners can still consider how they might incorporate a visit in tandem with a meeting, regardless of the season. Read on to learn about some of the national parks in the Northwest and suggestions for lodging, event venues, and group activities available in the parks or nearby.
Yellowstone National Park sits in the northwest corner of Wyoming and runs just over the state’s border with Montana. Many park facilities are open seasonally, while a select few remain open year-round. Flying Pig Adventures is an outfitter based in Gardiner, Montana, (which also is where the park’s North Entrance is located) that provides both lodging and activity options for small groups wanting to experience the best of Yellowstone. The company’s Dog Tooth Mountain Lodge can sleep up to 15 people and is located 45 minutes from the park. Available activities planners can consider include horseback riding, whitewater rafting, and fly-fishing, among others.
Whitefish Outfitters & Tours supplies an assortment of tours that explore stunning Glacier National Park in northwestern Montana. The “West Glacier & Polebridge Scenic Driving Tour” and the “East Glacier Scenic Driving Tour” both are available through October and booking fees include the park entrance fee, round-trip transportation, a private guide, and lunch and snacks, among other amenities. The tours are private and planners are encouraged to call if they have a larger group to accommodate. Downtown Whitefish, located about 40 minutes from the park, serves as a reliable base for lodging, with available properties including The Firebrand Hotel, Whitefish Mountain Resort, and The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, all of which accommodate groups and events.
Fireside Resort in Wilson, Wyoming, is just a short distance south from Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park near the Idaho border. The property accommodates events on-site or planners might opt to use it as a resting place for attendees participating in events nearby. Fireside Resort also offers proximity to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, where eventgoers can ski or snowboard. Grand Teton National Park is open year-round, with in-park adventure opportunities ranging from biking the Jenny Lake Scenic Loop route in spring and watching wildlife migrations of bison and elk in autumn to snowshoeing in winter.
Additional national parks in the Northwest to consider for gatherings and group outings include Olympic National Park and North Cascades National Park in Washington, Denali National Park & Preserve and Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska, and Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, among many others.
